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12 Five-Minute Declutter Tricks That Work

Decluttering your space can feel overwhelming, especially with a busy schedule. Finding small, manageable ways to tidy up can help you make progress without feeling stressed.

These five-minute declutter tricks show you how to clear clutter quickly and effectively, making it easier to keep your home organized. You’ll discover simple actions that fit easily into your routine and create a more comfortable environment.

Declutter Your Handbag

Leather bag with notebook, pen, smartphone, and sunglasses, items neatly arranged on dark fabric
Image pexels: Lum3n/Pexels.

Start by emptying everything from your handbag. This helps you see what you really carry and what you don’t need.

Next, wipe out the inside to remove crumbs or dirt. Then, sort through the items, keeping only essentials like your wallet, keys, and phone.

Use a small pouch or insert to keep things organized. Regularly rotate what you carry to avoid clutter building up again.

Clear Out Expired Spices

Glass jars filled with various spices and seasonings on a wooden shelf
Image Credit: Pixabay/Pexels.

Start by pulling out all your spices and checking their expiration dates. Old spices lose flavor and can affect your cooking.

Toss anything past its best-by date or that smells weak. This quick step brightens up your spice drawer and saves you from last-minute grocery runs.

Wipe down the containers to keep everything fresh and neat. Your kitchen will feel more organized in just a few minutes.

Tidy One Kitchen Drawer

Open white kitchen drawer with stainless steel handles, containing metal wire whisk, black ladle, silicone spatulas
Image credit: Castorly Stock/Pexels.

Pick one kitchen drawer to focus on. Set a timer for five minutes and pull everything out.

Sort items quickly into keep, toss, or relocate piles.

Wipe the drawer surface before putting things back.

Organize what remains so similar items stay together.

This small task clears clutter and makes it easier to find what you need next time.

Sort Mail Pile

Stack of white envelopes and letters on a wooden surface, some with plastic windows, loosely arranged
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Start by setting aside just five minutes each day to sort through your mail. Go piece by piece, deciding what to keep, toss, or recycle.

Create a simple “to do” pile for mail that needs action. This helps you stay on top of bills, invitations, or reminders.

Designate a spot for your sorted mail. Keeping everything in one place prevents clutter from spreading and makes it easier to find what you need.

Empty Junk Drawer

Cluttered wooden toolbox or drawer containing various tools including pliers, screwdrivers, and other hardware items haphazardly stored together. A blue checkmark appears in the corner
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Start by pulling everything out of your junk drawer. This helps you see exactly what you have and makes it easier to decide what to keep.

Group similar items together, like pens, batteries, or receipts. Toss anything broken, expired, or no longer useful.

Use small organizers or trays to keep things neat when you put items back. This way, your drawer stays tidy longer.

Clean Out Fridge Door Shelves

A Woman Taking a Lemon out from a Fridge
Image credit: Kevin Malik / Pexels.

Start by quickly removing all items from your fridge door shelves. Check expiration dates and toss anything expired or unused.

Wipe down the shelves with a damp cloth to remove spills and crumbs. This helps keep your fridge fresh and prevents mold.

When putting items back, group similar products together. This makes it easier to find what you need and keeps your fridge organized.

Organize Your Desk Surface

Workspace with two iMacs displaying web design projects, a keyboard, mouse, notebook, and a lucky cat figurine on a wooden desk.
Image Credit: Tranmautritam/Pexels.

Start by clearing everything off your desk. Only put back items you use daily. This keeps your workspace functional and neat.

Next, separate papers from hardware like your phone or keyboard. Use trays or small containers to keep similar items together.

Spend just five minutes at the end of each day tidying your desk. This small habit prevents clutter from piling up.

Purge Old Magazines

Stack of fashion and lifestyle magazines on white round table, decorated with dried pink and green foliage
Image Credit: EVG Kowalievska/Pexels.

Start by setting a timer for five minutes to keep you focused. Quickly sort through your magazines and pick out any that feel outdated or uninteresting.

If you have subscriptions you never read, don’t hesitate to let those go.

Consider keeping magazines only from the last few months. You can also donate or recycle the ones you don’t want.

Using a clear bin or folder can help you limit how many you keep in the future.

Wipe and Arrange TV Stand

Woman cleaning flat-screen TV with cloth, standing in living room, wearing green shirt and headband
Image credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels.

Start by clearing everything off your TV stand. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down dust and smudges quickly.

Next, organize your consoles, remotes, and accessories in neat piles or small containers. Keep cords untangled by using cable ties or clips.

This small effort can make your TV area look tidier and easier to manage every day. It only takes a few minutes but feels refreshing.

Sort Through One Fridge Bin

Refrigerator organization, meal prep storage, fresh produce preservation, healthy eating routine, zero-waste kitchen, weekly grocery sortin
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Pick one clear bin in your fridge to focus on. Pull it out and check each item quickly.

Toss anything expired or spoiled. Wipe the bin if needed before putting back the good items.

Grouping similar things helps you find what you need faster. You’ll save space and reduce wasted food with this simple step.

Toss Out Expired Makeup

Various makeup products including eyeshadow palettes, blush, brushes, and lipstick scattered on a marble surface
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Start by checking the expiration dates on your makeup. Eye products usually last about 3 to 12 months, while powders like blush can last up to 2 years.

If you find anything expired, toss it immediately to avoid skin irritation or infections.

Don’t forget to label new products with the date you opened them. This helps you keep track and stay safe.

Declutter One Bookshelf Section

Two people packing books into cardboard boxes, organizing a home library, moving to a new place, sorting books for donation, unpacking after a move, decluttering a bookshelf
Image Credit: Blue Bird/Pexels.

Pick a single section of your bookshelf to focus on. This keeps the task manageable and prevents overwhelm.

Sort through the books and items quickly. Decide what you want to keep, donate, or remove.

Organize the remaining items neatly. You can group by genre, author, or your personal favorites. This small step makes your shelf look tidier and more inviting.