Minimalism and Lifestyle Rules
If you’ve decided it’s time to declutter your personal items, whether for a minimalistic approach or simple organization, these rules give you various ways to get the chaos under control.
What is the 20/20 Rule for decluttering?
If you can replace something in under 20 minutes for less than $20, then you don’t need to hold onto it.
Now, the intent isn’t to simply buy new stuff! It’s to show that you probably won’t even bother replacing the item all of which leads to reducing the clutter.
The cool part about this rule is that if you do replace the item, it’ll only cost you $20.
What is the 90/90 Rule for decluttering?
If you haven’t used something in the last 90 days and don’t plan to use it in the next 90 days, then you shouldn’t keep it.
Remember, those sets of 90 days add up to about half a year which is a decent amount of time to use many types of items. Maybe it’s a yoga mat, hand mixer, or selfie stick. Whatever it is that you haven’t used, nor do you plan to soon, is only adding to the clutter.
What is the 80/20 Rule for decluttering?
Of the 100 percent of items you have, you only use 20 percent of them. This means you can get rid of 80 percent of the items.
A great place to declutter with this rule is your kitchen. Do you really need that panini maker that hasn’t made a panini in years? Or what about that pressure cooker you got at a garage sale and never even used?
You’ll likely find that items you use most frequently make up the 20 percent you should keep, and the rest can go.
What is the 5-Year Rule for decluttering?
If you haven’t used an item in the last five years, then you likely don’t need it. While this is similar to the 90/90 rule, it truly tests your ability to part with those items you’ve been holding onto “just in case.”
Keep in mind, however; that sentimental items don’t usually apply. For instance, you probably don’t want to get rid of your child’s baby book or a family heirloom. But those snow boots or golf clubs that haven’t seen the light of day in five years should go.
💡 Digital declutter tip: You can free up mail or device storage space by removing old items that no longer serve a purpose. Get rid of emails related to trips you’ve taken or files from completed projects.
What is the 1 Rule (One in, One out) for decluttering?
When you bring one item home, you get rid of one other item already in your home. And this doesn’t mean it has to be a one-for-one replacement, like a pillow for a pillow. It’s more about eliminating things you don’t need to make room for new things rather than simply bringing home more stuff to add to the clutter.
You could even think of this another way — as motivation. Say there’s something you want to buy. Tell yourself that if you dispose of one item you already own, only then can you buy that new item you want.
Family and Home Organization Rules
Maybe it’s your home that needs a solid decluttering. These rules can help you clean and organize your family’s space.
What is the 12-12-12 Rule for decluttering?
Find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to put back in place.
- For those you’ll throw away, look for items that are broken or simply no longer hold value to you.
- For those you’ll donate, find items that are still in good condition, but know you won’t use.
- For those you’ll put back in place, locate items that belong in a drawer, storage bin, closet, or other location that have simply escaped their home.
What is the Didn’t Know Rule for decluttering?
If you find an item in your home that you didn’t know you had, then you really don’t need it. This normally pertains to things you simply forgot you had, but the same principle applies.
For example, maybe you’re cleaning out your kitchen drawer and find a pasta cutter that you totally forgot about. Obviously, you don’t use the pasta cutter, or you’d know it was there, right? Get rid of it.
💡 Digital declutter tip: You can apply this rule to your inbox too. How many emails do you have that you forgot you saved and are no longer relevant? Consider a clean sweep to tidy up your mailbox and remove messages you don’t need.
What is the Cantaloupe Rule for decluttering?
The cantaloupe rule is mostly used in home design. It states when you shop for décor or accessories, if the item you spot is larger than a cantaloupe, then you should buy it. If not, keep looking.
So, when it comes to decluttering items already in your home, you should avoid keeping knickknacks and accessories smaller than a cantaloupe because they make the space look disorderly.
Think of it this way, five small statues on a shelf looks more cluttered than one large statue.
Productivity and Self-Help Rules
When it comes to productivity, a decent decluttering can give you just the boost you need. We’ve also included more tips for digital decluttering with these methods.
What is the 3-Second Rule for decluttering?
Think for three seconds if you want to keep the item. If you hesitate for longer than those three seconds, then you should keep it. Note that if you aren’t 100 percent comfortable with letting the item go, then keep it for now.
💡 Digital declutter tip: You can also use this rule or the one below when it comes to decluttering your inbox too. Instead of having to decide whether to keep or delete an email, let Clean Email’s Auto Clean feature help. With it, you can create rules that automatically manage incoming messages, thus reducing repetitive decisions and decision fatigue.
What’s more, Clean Email is available on iOS, Android, macOS, and the web, so you can manage your inbox effortlessly across all your devices.
What is the 5-Second Rule for decluttering?
Similar to the 3-second rule, with the 5-second rule, you give yourself five seconds to decide if you want to keep an item or not. An immediate “yes” means it goes into the Keep pile and an immediate “no” or non-decision means it goes into the Go pile to trash, donate, or sell.
What is the 20/20/20 Rule for decluttering?
The 20/20/20 rule adds another layer onto the 20/20 rule mentioned earlier and reinforces the intent. You still use the “Can I replace this item in less than 20 minutes for under $20?” mindset but then add in, “Have I used this item in the last 20 weeks?”
If the item is easily replaceable and you haven’t used it recently anyway, chances are that you won’t miss it and likely won’t replace it either.
💡 Digital declutter tip: You can also use a variation of this rule to handle email management with bulk actions in Clean Email. Move, archive, or delete multiple messages at once to declutter your mailbox of messages you no longer need.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is no single rule of thumb for decluttering. And what works for one person may not work for another. Try one or two of these rules for decluttering your home to see which resonates with you best.
And remember that you can use a few of these rules to assist with decluttering your digital life as well. Consider the tips for eliminating items to free up storage space or cleaning up your inbox.
