50 things to declutter NOW {and you won't miss 'em}

If you're looking to simplify, here are 50 ideas to encourage your decluttering and to get you thinking differently about the stuff. Keep in mind, decluttering is a HUGE and emotional task. Like all good things, it's a process of learning and growth. I believe in you.
And, for those who want to reference a written list as well...
👗 CLOTHING
1. That doesn’t fit (or outgrown)
2. Pattern or color you dislike
3. Needs alterations (do it this week or donate by Sunday)
4. Fancier than your lifestyle
5. Holiday/special occasion themed
6. Seasonally inappropriate (storage or donate)
7. Hand-me-downs that didn’t work out
🏺 DECOR
8. Holiday decorations
9. Used up candles/scents
10. Decor that makes cleaning harder
11. Decor that has been sitting around waiting for a home
12. Decor that isn't multipurpose
🧸 TOYS
13. Toys getting little to no use
14. Toys that have been forgotten
15. Toys that have too many small parts
16. Toys that are broken
17. Toys that you don’t think are in your child’s best interest
18. Developmentally inappropriate toys
19. Conceptually fixed toys
20. Toys that do too much and break too easily
21. Toys that overstimulate/entertain
22. Toys that claim developmental advantages
23. Fad toys
24. Dried out or used up art supplies
25. Cheap art tools (paint brushes from sets)
26. Toys that are too large for the space
🔪 KITCHEN
27. Food past its prime (trash it)
28. Food you don’t like (donate it)
29. Appliances you bought and never used
30. Cookbooks with overly complicated recipes or that required you to buy more stuff
🤪 RANDOMS
31. Cleaning supplies you don't like or didn't live up to the hype or were weirdly complicated
32. Gifts you were given but don't want or plan to use
33. Extra buttons, snaps, etc.
34. Leftovers from craft projects
35. Trash
36. Outdated technology
37. Empties (lotion)
✔️ CATEGORIES
38. Been meaning to sell (list it today or donate)
39. Tried and failed to sell
40. duplicates
41. old versions
42. Things you already decided to declutter (but never got rid of)
43. Things that aren’t a definite yes
44. Things that you can get by without
45. Clutter catchers (flat surfaces, storage furniture, baskets)
46. Things from a past season of life
47. Excess organization/storage bins
48. Book you don't want to read again
49. Books you bought but never read
50. Things you're not using
🎙 MENTIONED
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne: amzn.to/48wPGaa
👉 DISCLAIMERS
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Music licensed by Epidemic Sound.

[@barbarad.517]

I just recently decided to reclaim my space! I’ve been taking carloads to the thrift stores over the past week! Thank you!

[@papertownhome]

That’s so exciting!! Congrats!

[@barbarad.517]

@@papertownhome it is liberating! I don’t miss any of it! 😂

[@webnestor]

I would have loved to hear your video, but the background music never stops, and after two - three minutes I couldn't manage to filter it out anymore. My problem I know. But I really wish you would only play music in the intro ...

[@papertownhome]

Sorry to hear that! Let me do a poll to see where the audience lands on use of music throughout. Could also be an issue of needing to mix it to be a little softer. Very good feedback though!

[@anniewatkins7646]

That is exactly what I came to say. I love the content and your style but the music distracts alot.

[@papertownhome]

@@anniewatkins7646 I've actually scheduled a poll to go to my audience tomorrow so folks can weigh in on use of background music! Be sure to check back. It should publish in the a.m.

[@emilyharrison1340]

I agree but love the content

[@glacyneyla-lifestyle]

​@@papertownhomeHi I'm german and even I stoped after 30 seconds because the loud music make it soooo hard to understand you 😅

[@debbiekoortzen1154]

I really agree with you on having a smaller wardrobe. I decluttered a lot of clothes, my streamlined closet works perfectly and I only have stuff I love and feel good in. ❤

[@papertownhome]

I totally agree! It’s the best.

[@autobotdiva9268]

got the kids down to 1 quilt, 2 sheet sets, mattress pad, 2 comforters!!!

[@papertownhome]

That’s awesome!

[@kniebeisseraufzack]

Great tips! Though I think getting rid of toys should always be done together with the child. Children are very generous when you explain to them the concept of other children not having a lot of toys and gifting unwanted toys to those children in need. Sometimes taking away toys without their say so leaves a deep gap, that later on in life they fill with collecting and hoarding, which is not ideal. So doing that together is a great bonding activity. 😀

[@tracethomas5137]

Hello 👋 from the Westcoast of Canada. I just recently found your channel and I absolutely love your videos. “We all sometimes have to pay the stupid tax”. That one made me laugh out loud. Thank you for your content and thank you for being you. Have a wonderful day. 🙂

[@papertownhome]

Thank you so much!! Welcome 🤗

[@lauraann7816]

The Stupid Tax -- yes! Oh I have definitely paid into the Stupid Tax over my lifetime. 😯 Trying to avoid the Stupid Tax might be a way to help me buy more intentionally 😉

[@minimalqueen7523]

Long time minimalist. Enjoying your spin on things.

[@papertownhome]

Thanks! Love your screen name!

[@burgesskj]

Your suggestion to do cleaning at times when Seasonal decorations must be changed is brilliant!

[@julesy6171]

Great list and delivery, you have a straight forward, refreshing style!

[@papertownhome]

Thank you!

[@erinmorgenstern4686]

P.S. I totally think you should talk about this similar topic related to your car...you are so good at keeping your car decluttered!

[@sct4040]

Notions are hard to replace nowadays, it’s hard to find a store to buy them. Just put all the buttons in a box.

[@papertownhome]

Good to know!

[@HylianNecessary]

Seasonal clothes - for some people it may be worthwhile keeping a small stash while their kids are still in school - every year our kids come home with a selection of “tomorrow is Christmas sweater day” notes (sometimes it’s beach day, pink shirt day, etc) and I have to rush to the thrift shop the same evening to find something (not gonna spend $$$ on something just for a day). Of course, not all kids care whether they wear themed stuff, but some may feel awkward if they’re the only ones not wearing it

[@papertownhome]

Really good point! I don’t have school aged kids and I was homeschooled 😂 so that literally NEVER occurred to me.

[@ruthiespotion]

Haha I’m fortunate so far that my oldest (first grader) doesn’t like spirit days and errs on the more introverted side 😊💗

[@papertownhome]

@@ruthiespotion haha I love that. A true individual!

[@anastasiya8314]

I diy the Christmas sweater. Get basic sweater then attach some cute pins or a little battery powered garland or crochet some fluffy cuffs and appliqués and sew on quickly.

[@papertownhome]

@@anastasiya8314 I like that! Makes the sweater more versatile.

[@mrsbrittanylouu7518]

Have been LOVING your content!!!! You’re adorable and I wish we could be real life friends.

[@papertownhome]

Same! It’s bittersweet to get connected to so many likeminded women but only remotely.

[@Charlotte-bc7vj]

@14:51 haha I felt that 🙃. Great list, new sub here! Love your idea of getting all the wintertime decor out now to declutter. I have immediately donated SO many gifts from my mother and mother in law - both for me and my kid. It's easier to donate something I know I won't use when I remember someone else will be happy to find it in a thrift shop. And bonus points when the item still has a tag on it!

[@papertownhome]

Absolutely! I went thrifting this week for my daughter’s wardrobe and was so excited about the things with tags still on. Such a score!

[@noname-qw9td]

When you started sorting the toys out due to the camera angle and the whatnot you looked like the mum from the first Toy Story film picking them up :) (6:20 onwards)- made me laugh. Great video! Super advice!

[@papertownhome]

Haha 😂 that’s awesome! Now I want to watch Toy Story.

[@larissaguy9083]

Very helpful suggestions. Loving your content.

[@katiej8596]

Amazing take on decluttering. I've watched hours of videos on decluttering, especially Minimal Mom. I love your honesty. Just found you today and love your videos! Thanks for doing what you do.

[@papertownhome]

Thank you so much! I’m so happy you’re here!

[@erinmorgenstern4686]

The food one just reminds me of your famous quote: "This watermelon tastes spicy." I love you so much!

[@papertownhome]

😂

[@co7314]

This is interesting, but it doesn't apply to people who are struggling financially and can't afford to replace it down the road if they change their mind or circumstances.

[@karenzanvit7406]

Getting rid of clothes that are too small? What a great piece of advice!!

[@papertownhome]

Hard to do though! Many of us need the encouragement :). I know I do.

[@midlife_minimalist]

“Stupid Tax”. I love that!

[@amvien]

Ooh I would love to see what toys you keep and declutter next!! :)

[@papertownhome]

I DEFINITELY need to do that video. I'm scared 🤣 but I need to.

[@monicalmoss]

​@@papertownhome Especially those Lovevery toys. My 10 month old is still getting lots of use now and we've loved them, but I can see how I'm going to feel so attached even once they've outlived their usefulness. They are one of those items for me that have a lot of "motherhood" wrapped up in them.

[@papertownhome]

@@monicalmoss 100 percent! You’ve hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly how I feel about them.

[@kimberlyespinoza7970]

Love your channel!

[@papertownhome]

Thank you so much!

[@cheyennescottage]

I'm so thankful i found you!! There's lots of minimalism content but minimalism AND doing it while having a family is harder to find. 💚

[@papertownhome]

Thank you! I'm so glad you're here! And, excited I can be sharing my experience with it all :)

[@stefsim5332]

enjoy the content. Keep on sharing with us

[@papertownhome]

Thank you, I will!

[@crystalcalvin7128]

The toys !!!!!! We just decluttered more of my toddlers toys, especially alot of pretend items like play kitchen. We have found that if we allow her to interact with the real thing, like meal prep or kitchen chores , she gets the same enjoyment out of the process while also learning skills for independence.

[@papertownhome]

That is awesome! And so true! We never got into kitchen toys but I let Peyton cook with me and she’s all about it. I’ve also found that we didn’t need things like pretend doctor equipment (lol, what category of toy is that?). My daughter uses phone chargers as a stethoscope and blocks as thermometers. Kids are awesomely creative 🤩

[@crystalcalvin7128]

@@papertownhome yes totally!

[@burgesskj]

RE: Toys; anything with small or age-inappropriate small parts can be easily stored in an organized way by using clear square containers. Among the many grocery consumables you may purchase, like candies, pickles, nuts, or even pet treats many come in clear containers, with bright colorful tops. These come with wide open tops, good for an adult hand, and labels come off in minutes with Goo-Be-Gone. These square jars easily stack on shelves, keeping small items off of the floor, everyone loves a way to safely store LEGO's and other forms of plastic caltrops. Not just good for children's toys, they're great for adult crafting items too. I prefer clear containers, because if I can't see it, it doesn't exist and may as well be thrown away.

[@shoppingislifeuk]

Amazing

[@papertownhome]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@birgitneuhold2627]

Good video! I love the cutting board. But I think it would be too expensive to shiping it to Austria 🇦🇹! Best greetings Birgit

[@papertownhome]

Thanks Birgit! I wish I could send it to you!

[@birgitneuhold2627]

@@papertownhome This would be great 😊

[@tracyd2320]

❤

[@saranic21]

"Anything that has been upgraded.. my husband..." 😂

[@papertownhome]

🤣

[@jumpgenx2571]

That comment about the lotion bottle with just a tiny bit at the bottom really struck home with me. Same with toothpaste. Why do we feel such guilt over such a minor thing? I’m trying to be better about knowing when to let it go.

[@papertownhome]

I love that. Learning to let go has definitely been a process for me too. It’s taken a lot of shifts in my thinking.

[@nesxya]

Used lotion bottles and pumps I rinse them out for the recycling bin. If the lotion is super thick you can add a little water to use up the last bit. Lotion tubes I cut the end off with scissors. I live in the desert. I go through lots of lotion and it can get expensive. I squeeze out every last drop of toothpaste as well, but that's a cost issue as well. Being frugal is okay. As you make adjustments to throw almost empties out it will get easier. For me, washing them for the recycling drop off helps relieve that anxiety. Hope that helps. ♻️

[@azfarsyed7082]

Need. To know to keep things useful & to shares to give gifts relatives .Friends Neifhbors .good .

[@kikitaube-hansen]

Very inspiring video. Thank you and aboniert.

[@papertownhome]

Yay! Thank you!

[@vcook9710]

What is a conceptually fixed toy? Example? Why?

[@josephinemorgenstern8161]

I think by "conceptionally fixed toy" she means a toy that is likely to have a "fixed" meaning in the mind of a child. For example, a doll that looks exactly like Elsa from the movie "Frozen" will probably only be used to play Elsa with. A more neutral looking doll may be used to represent Elsa or any other TV character or (even better) a character of your child's imagination. Waldorf education encourages you to give your child simple and versatile materials to play with in order to enhance your child's creativity.

[@vcook9710]

@@josephinemorgenstern8161 Thanks! That makes sense. I had just never heard the term before…but at the same time children are pulled toward those toys for that specific reason because they like that character. I would have a difficult time trying to get my son to pretend another doll is spiderman and it look nothing like him. 😂

[@papertownhome]

@josephinemorgenstern8161 Thanks for jumping in! This explanation was perfect.

[@papertownhome]

@vcook9710 Sorry for being slow to respond! I was thrilled to see Josephine was able to jump in and provide more clarity. Also, I probably could have been more clear in the video, but this category was meant to be one of many ideas. It's definitely not something that I expect will work for or be a priority for every family.

[@GinnyShilliday]

Just discovered your channel and I love your content-but please just omit that background music. It really detracts.

[@papertownhome]

Thanks Caroline! Appreciate you watching! That seems to be a trending opinion, especially with this video. Hopefully the more recent videos are a better experience. I've been more careful to keep music contained to intros and outros. Or, to keep it super, super low.