The 5-Minute Decluttering Habit That Will Change Your Home

If you’ve ever looked around your home and thought, I don’t even know where to start, you’re not alone. Between work, family, and everything in between, clutter can creep in before you even realize it.

The problem isn’t just the clutter itself—it’s the feeling of being overwhelmed by it. The idea that you need hours (or an entire weekend) to declutter keeps you stuck. But here’s the truth: small, consistent actions can make a bigger impact than an occasional deep clean.

You don’t need more time. You just need a system that works in the time you already have.

The Game-Changer: A Simple Stair Basket System

One of the easiest ways to keep clutter from taking over your home is to use a stair basket. 

Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Place a stair basket (CAD link here) at the bottom of your stairs or in a central location. 

2️⃣ As you go about your day, drop anything inside that belongs in another room—random toys, laundry, mail, things left out that need to go back to their respective homes.

3️⃣ Every time you head upstairs (or to another area of the house), take a few things from the basket and put them away.

This habit does two things: it stops clutter from piling up, and it prevents you from making multiple trips back and forth all day long.

Instead of scrambling to clean up before guests arrive or spending an entire Saturday resetting your home, you’re dealing with clutter in real-time—without even thinking about it.

Decluttering in the Gaps of Your Day

If finding time to declutter feels impossible, it’s because you’re picturing it as a big event. But what if you could tackle clutter in the small gaps of your day?

While your coffee brews? Grab a few things off the counter and drop them in your stair basket.
Waiting for a phone call? Do a 5-minute decluttering reset in one area of your home:

👜 Bag Reset: Empty your purse, work bag, or diaper bag of trash, receipts, or random items. Using a zippered pouch [CAD AND US link here] keeps small essentials from getting lost in the bottom.

🚪 Entryway Edit: Put away stray shoes, jackets, and bags. If your entryway is always a mess, a compact shoe rack [CAD AND US link here] or wall hooks [CAD AND US link here] can instantly create order.

❄️ Fridge Sweep: Toss expired food and wipe down a shelf while waiting for your coffee to brew. A lazy Susan [CAD AND US link here] makes it easier to access things and avoid food waste.

📂 Paper Purge: Grab five random papers—junk mail, old receipts, expired coupons—and deal with them immediately. A desktop organizer [CAD AND US link here] can help keep important documents from piling up again.

📧 Digital Declutter: Delete five emails or unsubscribe from newsletters you never read.

Instead of blocking out an entire day for organizing, you’re weaving decluttering into what you’re already doing.

The Secret to Keeping Clutter Away for Good

Decluttering is one thing. Keeping it that way is another. The secret? Don’t give clutter a place to land.

That’s where the Touch It Once Rule comes in: 

✔️ Mail? Open it immediately—file, shred, or recycle. 

✔️ Dishes? Put them in the dishwasher, not beside it.                                                                                       

✔️ Clothes? Either wear them, wash them, or put them back—no chair piles. When clutter doesn’t have a chance to pile up, you never have to feel like you’re “catching up” on your home.

Final Thoughts: Small Steps, Big Impact

Decluttering isn’t about having more time—it’s about making the most of the time you already have. By making small, consistent changes, you can stop clutter from building up before it becomes overwhelming.

Start with a stair basket. Make use of those small in-between moments. And remember—progress over perfection.