Free Printable Decluttering Guide

You know that saying, “A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind”? Well, it’s true! If you’re tired of wading through a sea of stuff, this free printable decluttering guide is your lifeboat! A handful of simple questions and clear categories will help you let go of the junk and create a home where everything has its place.

Cleaning is not just about wiping down surfaces and making things look pretty. But even all the elbow grease in the world won’t keep a home tidy if it’s crammed with stuff you don’t actually need.

And once you declutter, future cleaning sessions will be SO much easier! Think about it, less stuff means less to dust, less to organize, less to trip over.

This free printable decluttering guide was my solution for giving up on those ‘maybe someday’ items and embracing a lighter, more spacious life.

🏡 Decluttering Guide

This free printable provides a clear and straightforward process to help you decide what to keep, sell, donate, or trash as you’re cleaning your home.

It’s part of my 37-page printable garage sale planner which can help you earn some honest cash from those still good items with as little stress as possible!

🤔 Decision-Making Questions

First up is a set of simple questions you can answer with a YES or a NO and figure out for each item if it should go in the trash or not. Everything that receives a final YES will go in the “keep” pile, and everything that receives a NO needs further assessment to decide if it will be sold, donated, or trashed.

👉Have I used this in the past year?

This is the golden question, isn’t it? If you haven’t used an item in the past year, chances are you don’t really need it. Of course, there are exceptions (like those holiday decorations we only use once a year), but for the most part, this question helps you identify those items that are simply taking up space.  

👉Does this item bring me joy or serve a purpose?

This question gets to the heart of why we keep things. Does it make you happy? Is it useful? If the answer is no to both, it might be time to let it go.  

👉Would I buy this item again today?

This is a great way to gauge whether an item truly fits your current lifestyle. If you wouldn’t spend your hard-earned money on it now, why are you keeping it?  

👉Is this item in good or working condition?

This one’s pretty straightforward. If it’s broken, damaged, or beyond repair, it’s trash. No point in holding onto something that’s not serving its purpose.  

👉Am I keeping it “just in case”?

Ah, the dreaded “just in case.” We all have those items we keep for some hypothetical future scenario. But often, that scenario never comes. Be honest with yourself: are you really going to need that widget someday?

👉Does this item have sentimental value?

This is where things get a little trickier. Sentimental items can be hard to part with and some should be definitely kept. The guide acknowledges this, but it also encourages you to be mindful of how much space you’re dedicating to these items.

📌Important Note: There’s no magic number of “yes” answers required to keep an item. Use these questions as a guide to help you thoughtfully assess each item and make the best decision for your home and your needs.

💸 The Sell Pile – Turning Clutter into Cash

As I already mentioned, this free printable decluttering guide is part of my printable garage sale planner that helps you fully leverage the items that can be sold.

However, it’s great even if you’re not holding a garage sale – you might decide to donate these items or sell them online.

👉Gently used clothing – You’d be surprised what gems are hiding in your closet! That stylish jacket you only wore once? Someone else will adore it. And those jeans that are just a tad too small? A perfect fit for someone else!

👉Vintage items – Oh, I love vintage! It’s like selling a little piece of history. Old records, funky lamps, retro furniture…these items have a unique charm that people are willing to pay good money for.

👉Collectibles – Time to dust off those Beanie Babies, baseball cards, or whatever you’ve been hoarding! There’s a whole world of enthusiasts out there eager to add to their collections. Some might even be actively hunting for some of your collectibles. Make sure you do some proper price research for these before selling them.

👉Electronics – Don’t toss that old DVD player or those spare speakers! Someone out there might need them. Just make sure they’re in working condition.

👉Furniture & lamps – Larger items can bring in bigger bucks! That old dresser, the spare armchair, even that quirky lamp are good candidates.

👉Kitchen appliances – That bread maker you used twice? The blender you got as a gift and never opened? These are goldmines! As long as they work, someone will buy them.

👉Tools – Jason (my husband) has a whole collection of tools he never uses. If you’re the same, someone handy will gladly take them off your hands!

👉Sporting goods – Bikes, balls, rackets, camping gear and all that stuff taking up space in the garage that you quit using years ago? Time to sell it!

👉Books – Declutter your bookshelf and pass on the joy of reading! Old novels, cookbooks, kids’ books, they all have value.

👉DVDs and Blu-rays – Believe it or not, some folks still love physical media! Sell those movies and shows you no longer watch, especially classics.

👉Artwork & home decor – Paintings, sculptures, vases, mirrors, these items can instantly refresh someone else’s home (and your bank account).

Remember, presentation is key! Clean your items, display them nicely, and be ready to haggle a bit. And don’t forget those online marketplaces!

🏷️ Places To Sell Online

The digital world has opened up a whole new avenue for selling our stuff! Here are some of my favorite online marketplaces:

• Facebook Marketplace – This is my go-to for local sales. It’s so easy to connect with people in your area, and you can sell just about anything! You also might want to check if there are any local buy-sell groups on Facebook.
• eBay – If you’ve got something unique or valuable, eBay is the place to be. You can reach buyers all over the world!
• Craigslist – A classic for a reason! It’s great for selling larger items to folks nearby.
• Etsy – Calling all crafters and vintage lovers! If you’re selling handmade goods or unique finds, Etsy is your online home.
• OfferUp – This app makes selling super simple, especially on your phone. It’s great for quick, local transactions.
• Poshmark – Fashionistas, listen up! Poshmark is the perfect place to sell your gently used clothing and accessories.
• Nextdoor – Don’t forget about your neighbors! Nextdoor is a fantastic way to sell to people in your community.

🎁 The Donate Pile – Giving Back While Getting Organized

This category is all about finding new homes for items that are still in good, usable condition but no longer serve a purpose in your life. It’s a wonderful way to declutter your space and give back to your community at the same time.

👉Clothing (in good condition) – That sweater you haven’t worn in ages? Someone else will absolutely love it! Donate clothing that’s clean and free of rips or stains.

👉Household items – Think décor, organizational items, small storage solutions and all those little things that clutter up our homes. If it’s still functional, someone can use it!

👉Books (in good condition) – Pass on the joy of reading! Donate books that are in good shape to libraries, schools, or shelters.

👉Toys (in good condition) – Kids grow out of toys so quickly! Donate those gently used toys to bring smiles to other children.

👉Linens – Sheets, towels, blankets are always in high demand at shelters and donation centers.

👉Kitchenware – Someone setting up a new home will be grateful for your extra pots, pans, or dishes.

👉Small appliances (working) – Toasters, blenders, coffee makers and other small appliances that are still working. Even if they are a bit outdated someone not being able to afford them will be happy to have them.

👉Furniture (usable) – Couches, chairs, tables, call your local charities to see what furniture they accept.

👉School supplies – Help out students and teachers by donating extra pens, pencils, notebooks, and other supplies.

👉Craft supplies – Donate yard, fabric, paint, and other craft supplies to schools, community centers, or art programs.

📦 Where to Donate Your Goodies

There are so many wonderful places to donate your items! Here are a few suggestions:

• Local Charities – Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStores. These are always great options.
• Women’s Shelters and Homeless Shelters – They’re often in need of clothing, toiletries, and household items.
• Libraries – Donate those gently used books!
• Schools – They can use school supplies, books, and even electronics.
• Animal Shelters – They’re always grateful for blankets, towels, and pet supplies.  

Remember, donating is a win-win! You declutter your home, and you help someone in need.

🗑️ The Trash Pile – Clearing Out the Useless

This category is for those items that have reached the end of their useful life. And yes, I am well aware that some of those broken, damaged, or no longer functional items might have some sentimental value.

However, these items did NOT end up in the Keep, Sell, or Donate piles so they have to go!

👉Broken electronics – If that old gadget is beyond repair, it’s gotta go. But remember to dispose of it properly!

👉Damaged clothing – Ripped, stained, too worn, or torn beyond repair – these items have served their purpose.

👉Ripped linens – Sheets, towels, blankets with holes or tears – time for them to retire.

👉Broken toys – If it’s missing pieces or no longer works, it’s trash.

👉Expired food – This is a no-brainer! Toss any food that’s past its expiration date.

👉Old magazines – Let’s be honest, you’re probably not going to read them again.

👉Newspapers – Yesterday’s news is, well, yesterday’s news.

👉Broken household items – Anything that’s broken and can’t be fixed.

👉Hazardous waste – This is super important! Dispose of these items responsibly.

👉Anything moldy – Mold is a health hazard. Toss these items immediately.

⚠️ Where To Dispose Of Hazardous Material

Once you reach this stage, you’re almost done! But you can’t skip it. We can’t just toss everything in the trash, especially not hazardous materials!

These items need special care to protect our environment and ourselves. Here are some of my favorite easy-to-find disposal options:

• Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers – Most cities and counties have these centers. They’re pros at handling things like paint, pesticides, and other nasty chemicals. A quick online search for “household hazardous waste disposal near me” should point you in the right direction.
• Retail Store Recycling Programs – Did you know that many stores will take back certain hazardous items?
  • Batteries: Stores like Batteries Plus often have recycling programs for all sorts of batteries.
  • Light bulbs: Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s often recycle CFLs and other bulbs.
  • Other hazardous materials: Some stores may also recycle things like electronics or ink cartridges. It’s always worth checking!
• Pharmacies – Don’t just toss those old pills in the trash or flush them down the toilet! Many pharmacies have take-back programs for unused or expired medications. This keeps them out of our water supply, which is a big win!

🖨️Grab It Now

✅Enter your name and email in the box below. Hit the “Grab It Now” button.

✅We’ll send you an email with the download link to the free printable decluttering guide. If it’s not in your inbox be sure to check your spam folder too (sometimes good emails end up in there as well).

✅Download the PDF and open it with a PDF reader like the free Adobe Reader.

✅Go to File->Print. If you’re going to print on U.S. Letter paper, you don’t need to change any settings. For other paper sizes like A4, or A5, you can adjust the Scale setting as needed.

✅Hit the Print button and you’re ready to free your home of clutter!

🧼🧹 Decluttering and Deep Cleaning – The Dynamic Duo

Now let’s address the elephant in the room: decluttering and cleaning go hand in hand. You can’t really have one without the other, if you ask me.

I like my cleaning to be as organized as the decluttering, which is why I created this free printable room-by-room deep cleaning checklist. It breaks down every room into manageable tasks and there’s also a blank version so you can create your own cleaning routine.

And if you’re planning a garage sale (which, by the way, my printable garage sale planner can help you organize like a pro!), you definitely need to declutter and clean your garage first.

My free printable garage deep cleaning checklist is my go-to for this. It doesn’t get the work done in my place but it does make it a lot faster!

These two cleaning checklists are my favorite to pair with the free printable decluttering guide, making the whole process less overwhelming and stressful.

So, tell me, what’s the hardest thing for you to declutter? Is it sentimental items, or the “just in case” ones? Share your decluttering struggles (and wins!) in the comments below. I’d love to hear your stories and tips!