20 Best Decluttering Tips for Busy Moms

Life as a busy mom can often feel like a juggling act. I know because I have four kids of my own. Between taking care of the kids, managing the household, and possibly working outside the home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and feel like there’s never enough time for what truly matters. That’s where decluttering comes in – it’s the best way to simplify your life, reduce stress, and create more time for the things you love.

When we declutter, it leaves white space and breathing room for us to access what we love and need more quickly, and this, in turn, gives us more time for what matters. So, what are some excellent decluttering tips if you are starting, you ask? Here are my top 20; let’s dive in!

20 Best Decluttering Tips for Busy Moms

1. Start Small to Achieve Big

When you’re a busy mom, tackling the clutter in your whole house can seem impossible. The best way to begin is to start small. Choose one room or even a specific room area as your first step. You’ll progress without feeling overwhelmed by breaking the decluttering process into manageable chunks. I have listed areas that need attention on my brain dump notepad (grab yours here). Then, as I have a small chunk of time (see tips #8 & #12), I can choose a task and get to work.

Write down your list on our best-selling brain dump notepad.

2. See Decluttering as a Regular Routine

With a busy schedule, finding time for decluttering can be challenging. The key is to set a regular time that works for you. It might be dedicating 15 minutes at the end of the day or an hour every weekend. Consistency is the key; these small efforts will yield significant results over time. Decluttering should be a routine, just like cleaning the toilet. Things are constantly coming into our homes. We should be regularly taking inventory and sending things out, too.

Listen to more decluttering tips on the podcast!

3. Involve Your Family

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. Get your family members, especially your kids, involved in the process. Teach them the importance of decluttering and how it benefits the whole family. Assign age-appropriate tasks to each family member and make decluttering a family affair. 

The other day, my daughter tried on a dress that was too small. I asked, “What do you want to do with it?” She said, “Pass it on to someone else.” So, it went into the donate bin (see tip #10).  Making this a part of their routine will help us declutter our house now and support them as adults. After all, we are not just raising kids. We are raising future adults.

4. Toy Rotation for Kids’ Toys

One of the biggest challenges for busy moms is managing the ever-growing collection of kids’ toys. Implementing a toy rotation system is a great way to keep things in check. Store some toys away and periodically swap them out, keeping your kids engaged and your home less cluttered.  It’s crazy how a location change can make toys feel brand new again. 

Pro-Tip: Also, kids can get decision fatigue from too much stuff.  Consider thinning out their toys. You’ll be surprised how much more they play with their toys when they have fewer options.  

5. Declutter Your To-Do List

A cluttered to-do list can be just as overwhelming as physical clutter. Take some time to streamline your tasks. Prioritize what truly matters and delegate where possible. Remember, saying no to additional commitments that add unnecessary stress is okay.  Every time we say “Yes” to something, we inherently say “no” to something else. Ensure you are saying “yes” out of a willingness to do what’s asked of you and not just out of obligation or guilt.

Our favorite white baskets for organizing.

6. Designate a Spot for Everything

An easy way to maintain a clutter-free home is to ensure every item has a designated spot. Whether it’s a shoe basket by the back door or a junk drawer in the kitchen, having a specific place for things makes it easier to keep clutter at bay. Then, communicate where things go with your family so they can easily grab and stow items they need independently. The designated spot only works if everyone knows where it’s at and it’s easy to put away.

7. Declutter Daily

Make decluttering a part of your daily routine. Spend a few minutes daily tidying up and returning things to their designated spots. It’s a good habit that prevents clutter from piling up. Plus, you’ll wake up in the morning to a clutter-free space, instantly calming the morning chaos.

8. The 15-Minute Decluttering Challenge

When you don’t have much time, challenge yourself to a 15-minute decluttering session. Set a timer and see how much you can accomplish in that short amount of time. You’ll be surprised by the significant impact you can make in as little as 15 minutes.  Remember, little bits of time add up to a big impact on your daily life if you put in the hard work.

9. Declutter Your Kitchen Counters

Kitchen counters are often the biggest clutter offenders.  From school papers to kitchen appliances, they accumulate a lot of stuff, making it challenging to prepare meals efficiently. Declutter your kitchen by keeping only the essentials on your counters. Store the rest neatly in cabinets and drawers. Sort through school papers immediately. Display what you want on the fridge or peg board, and then recycle what you don’t need.  A decision deferred is a decision to keep and add clutter.

10. Create a Declutter Bin

Keep a designated bin for items you want to donate to simplify the decluttering process.  We keep a bin in our garage, so when we come across something we don’t need or use, we can quickly stow that item in the declutter bin. It no longer takes up valuable space in our home, and when the bin gets full, we can take it to donate.

11. Utilize Organization Systems

Invest in practical tools and organization systems that work for your family. This could include shelves, bins, or storage solutions that help keep things organized and accessible. It’s a small investment that pays off in the long run.  It doesn’t have to be color-coded or meticulously organized. Having a spot for everything will help your family put away the clutter quickly, leading to less clutter lying around the house.

12. Take Advantage of Naptime or Bedtime

If you have young children, naptime or bedtime can be prime decluttering time. Use this quiet time to tackle decluttering projects without interruptions.

13. Use the One-In, One-Out Rule

Implement the one-in, one-out rule to prevent new clutter from entering your home. We often think of decluttering, but you must be mindful of what you purchase and bring into your home. If we bring in less stuff, we will have less to declutter later. If you get a new pair of shoes, can you let another pair go? For every new item, an old one must go out. This ensures a balance and keeps the clutter in check.

14. Donate or Sell Unnecessary Items

Decluttering doesn’t mean throwing everything away. Consider donating or selling items that are still in good condition but no longer serve a purpose in your home. This can be a great way to declutter while making some extra money.

15. Create a Family Command Center

A family command center is a central hub where you can organize family schedules, to-do lists, and essential documents. It keeps everyone on the same page and reduces clutter from scattered notes and reminders. It also helps to give those pesky papers a home base instead of lying on the counter.

16. Declutter Social Media

In today’s digital age, our online lives can become cluttered, too. Take some time to declutter your social media accounts. Unfollow accounts that no longer interest you or make you feel bad about your life or yourself.  Organize your feeds for a more streamlined online experience.

17. Declutter Your Inbox

Use a feature like unroll.me to unsubscribe from emails you receive. Not only will your inbox be less cluttered, but you’ll be less tempted to buy more things, leading to more clutter.  Yes, you might miss a sale, but you only save money on a sale item if you need said item.  You can always resubscribe later, but out of sight means out of mind, and the temptation to buy will be out of your inbox.

18. Set Realistic Expectations

It’s essential to set realistic expectations for yourself when decluttering. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your home won’t be decluttered entirely overnight. Our homes are full of people, and there will always be home clutter to deal with, but a little bit consistently over time can make your home feel like the space you want to be in — peaceful, calming, and cozy. Celebrate small victories along the way and remember that progress takes time.

19. Seek Help When Needed

If decluttering feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional organizer or enlist the support of friends and family. Sometimes, an extra pair of hands can make a big difference.

20. Choose the Biggest Problem Area and start There First

If you don’t know where to begin, choose a small thing or the most significant problem area first.  Not only will you feel accomplished, but it will also give you the momentum to declutter other spaces in your home.  If you need help decluttering sentimental items, check out this post.

Just Remember…

As a busy mom, decluttering your home and simplifying your life is a continuous journey. By implementing these simple tips and tricks, you can gradually reduce the clutter in your life, create more time for what matters most, and ultimately achieve a more straightforward, more intentional way of living. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. Happy decluttering!

Need more decluttering help? Check out these posts…

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5 Decluttering Excuses & How to Overcome Them

Lacking Motivation? Try this Hack

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