Last updated on March 4th, 2025 at 09:26 am
Decluttering gradually is a simple way to clean out clutter and mess. Spend 5 minutes to declutter 10 areas of your home without getting stressed or frustrated.
With work, meal prep, school pickups, and time with family and friends, clutter can quickly build up in the home.
It can be difficult to clean up many items in the house and decide which to keep and throw away.
Keeping a functional and organised home becomes a challenge and can be overwhelming. However, dedicating just five minutes now and then during the day to keep the home tidier than yesterday by doing simple tasks is doable.
Small bursts of decluttering can make a noticeable difference in just a few minutes.
Make tidying up fun by using a stopwatch.
Yes, you get the idea. Set the stopwatch to a short 5 minutes. Declutter for that burst of time and as soon as 5 minutes is up move on to the next task on the list.
Involve the family as well. Ask the kids to spend 5 minutes in their rooms to do one of the routines on the list.
Then when the time is up you could carry on with whatever you want to do other than decluttering.
What is decluttering?
Decluttering involves taking away things you no longer need and arranging and sorting what remains. This can be done on your own or with assistance from others like family.
Here are 10 fun and fast 5-minute routines to make tidying up feel like a game!
Set your stopwatch and get ready to race the clock:
1. Paper Purge (5-minute paper purge)
Start the stopwatch and grab any piles of papers (mail, receipts, etc.). Sort through them and toss anything you don’t need! Challenge yourself to see how many papers you can get rid of in 5 minutes.
2. Speedy Sock Match (5-minute sock hunt)
Set the stopwatch for 5 minutes. Head to your laundry basket and race to match all the stray socks! Bonus points if you find a hidden one!
3. Throwaway Race (5-minute trash sprint)
Set a timer and pick up trash or rubbish from your home – empty food containers, old receipts, junk mail. Toss it in the bin, recycling, or compost bin as fast as you can. Can you beat the clock?
4. Top Drawer Toss (5-minute drawer declutter)
Pick one drawer (kitchen, office, or nightstand) and empty it. Toss anything you don’t need or that doesn’t belong, and reorganise the rest. Can you do it in under 5 minutes?
5. Sofa Clean-Up Challenge (5-minute sofa sweep)
Start the stopwatch and run through the living room. Fluff the pillows, fold the blankets, and collect stray items like remotes or magazines. Can you finish before the timer runs out?
6. Bookshelf Sprint (5-minute bookshelf tidy)
Grab a stopwatch and head to your bookshelf. Can you get it looking good in just 5 minutes? Quickly organize books by size or genre, and dust off any surfaces.
7. Wardrobe Clean-Up (5-minute closet clean-up)
Set your stopwatch for 5 minutes and tackle one section of your closet—hanging up clothes, folding laundry, or tossing anything that doesn’t fit or is worn out. How much do you think can you organize in 5 minutes?
8. Toy Tornado (5-minute toy tidy)
If you have kids, set the timer and race against the clock to gather toys and ask to put them back where they belong. Another way to add fun is to give them baskets or boxes to sort their toys into. Hurrah! You get bonus points for decluttering, keeping the kids involved and turning it into a game!
9. Bathroom Blitz (5-minute bathroom cleanup)
Can you make the bathroom sparkle in 5 minutes? Time yourself while wiping down the bathroom sink, tossing old makeup or products, and putting away toiletries.
10. Entryway Sprint (5-minute front door tidy)
Grab the stopwatch and run to your entryway. Pick up shoes, bags, and any clutter near the door. Fold up any jackets and sort mail. Can you get it looking clean in just 5 minutes?
How does decluttering for 5 minutes work?
Set your timer and during those 5 minutes, declutter something and when the timer goes off you have to stop. Do a daily cleanup to keep an area of your home from piling up. This is not a major task or makeover. You can take it easy on yourself. Little increments during the day will make a big difference at the end of the day.
Decluttering and organizing take time but quick tasks will help you feel like you’re getting things in order while racing against the clock, making tidying up more fun! Ready? Go!
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