If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had those days where it feels like the clutter in your home stares you down. It’s overwhelming, distracting, and honestly… flipping annoying. But this week, I’m trying something new, and I promise it’s actually doable. I’m spending 15 minutes a day decluttering each room of my house while listening to some vintage radio shows. (Because honestly? There’s NOTHING good on TV right now anyways.)

It’s simple, it’s manageable, and dare I say… it’s kinda fun. If you want to join me for this challenge but you’re worried about getting distracted or making a bigger mess (been there, done that), don’t worry—I’ve got tips for that too.

But first, here’s the game plan for the week, plus all my little hacks to keep things easy and stress-free.

Day 1 – Kitchen Decluttering

Why is the kitchen always a magnet for the most random (and useless) stuff? We’re starting here because cleaning out even one drawer feels SO satisfying. Here’s what to tackle today:

Duplicate kitchen utensils (nobody needs four can openers).
Appliances you use once a year (goodbye, quesadilla maker from 2010).
Expired pantry items (yes, that soup can does actually have an expiration date).
Mugs. You’ve got too many. I promise.
Stained or lidless food storage containers (why do the lids always vanish? A mystery for another day).
Broken/mismatched dishes and cutlery.
Ratty dish towels that look like they’ve been through a lot.
Cookbooks. (It’s okay to admit your phone does the job better now).
Old takeout menus (seriously, just Google your favorite place instead).

Pro Tip: If you’re easily distracted (hi), try setting a 10-15 minute timer and seeing how much you can get done. Bonus points if you queue up a classic 1950s radio drama or podcast that makes you laugh while you declutter.

Day 2 – Living Room Decluttering

The living room should feel cozy—not like you’re drowning in decor, cords, and random kid toys. Here’s what to get rid of:

Furniture you just don’t vibe with anymore.
Books, magazines, and DVDs you’ll never revisit (or might not even remember owning).
Broken/excess electronics, mysterious cables, and way-too-many remotes.
Extra couch pillows and throws (you can only use so many, I promise).
Decorative objects you don’t like anymore or that are just straight-up broken.
Dead plants (it’s time to admit you can’t save them).
Toys, kid stuff, or pet toys no one touches anymore.

Hack for Today: Use the “one-shelf rule.” Only tackle one shelf, table, or drawer at a time. It keeps things manageable and stops you from pulling everything out (and making it worse).

Day 3 – Bathroom Decluttering

Bathrooms are sneaky clutter traps (how do expired beauty products multiply so fast?). Today’s mission:

Expired makeup, sunscreen, and medicine.
Dried-out nail polish or mascara (yes, that one with a crumbly wand goes too).
Extra hairbrushes, tools, and accessories you haven’t touched in ages.
Skincare, soaps, or makeup you hate but for some reason still own.
Ratty or mismatched towels that lost their fluff years ago.
Hair tools you swore you’d master but never did (the curling wand isn’t judging you).

Pro Tip: Label three boxes “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Trash” before you start. Toss items into these as you go to stay organized.

Day 4 – Bedroom Decluttering

Time to make this your safe haven again. Bedrooms are where clutter like books, random cords, and “aspirational clothes” go to die. Here’s what we’re clearing out today:

Paper clutter (those old magazines and notebooks aren’t sparking joy).
Excess furniture that just takes up space.
Raggedy or unused blankets, pillows, and sheets.
Worn-out clothing and items that no longer fit or make you feel good.
Worn-out socks, tights, or bras that are WAY past their expiration date.
Shoes that hurt, look awful, or just sit there.
Random old purses/wallets hogging valuable closet space.

Hack: Keep a bag in your closet labeled “donations” to make it easy to toss in items daily. When it’s full, stick it in your car and drop it off next time you’re out.

Day 5 – Laundry Room Reset

The laundry room might be one of the most overlooked spaces in the house, but it’s a total game-changer when it’s clean and clutter-free. Getting this space under control makes laundry feel a bit more manageable (and maybe even less soul-crushing, dare I say?). Here’s a quick guide on what to declutter in your laundry zone.

Broken Clothes Hangers and Clothespins: Toss the ones that are bent, snapped, or just plain sad. You deserve hangers that won’t betray you.
Unused Detergents, Scent Beads, Dryer Sheets, or Stain Removers: If it’s expired or you don’t love the scent, it’s time to say goodbye and reclaim that shelf space.
Stained, Torn, or Matchless Clothing and Socks: If you’ve been holding onto forlorn socks hoping they’ll find their better half… it’s time to move on. It’s not you, it’s them.
Broken Appliances, Knick Knacks, and Forgotten Sports Equipment: Is your laundry room secretly a graveyard for random broken items? Clear them out and breathe easier.
Junk Drawer or Cabinet: Yes, that drawer. The one where random screws, batteries, and lint-filled mystery objects live rent-free. Give it a once-over and organize what’s worth keeping.
Cleaning Rags and Supplies: Toss the crusty, smelly rags and cleaning products you don’t use. Keeping your go-to essentials will make future cleaning so much easier.
Old or Worn-Out Towels and Sheets: Be honest—are you saving them for no reason? If they’re super ratty, they might make good cleaning cloths. If not, it’s time to thank them for their service and show them the door.

Quick Tip: Keep a trash bag and donation box nearby as you sort. It helps streamline this whole process and forces you to make quick decisions. Oh, and don’t forget to play some music or an engaging podcast—I promise it makes decluttering 10x more enjoyable.

Once you’re done, your laundry room will not only feel lighter, but it’ll also be way more functional. And hey, maybe you’ll even find some missing socks along the way (no guarantees, though).

Day 6 – Kid Stuff Decluttering

I won’t lie, kid clutter can make even the sanest among us want to scream. But trust me, this can be done. Focus on these areas:

Outgrown, stained, or worn-out clothes/shoes.
Toys that are broken or have missing pieces (bye, puzzle with three pieces).
Dried-up markers and crusty art supplies.
Books they no longer like or use.
Old school projects (scan or snap photos if you want to hold onto the memory).
Bath toys/products they’ve long outgrown.

Pro Tip for Tiny Humans: If your kids are old enough, have them help! You’d be surprised how willing they are to declutter when you hand them a box and make it kind of a game (or bribe them with stickers or a small reward after). OR turn on one of my kids radio cleaning routines featuring Wild Bill Hickok! You can try some free episodes here.

Stress-Free Decluttering Tips for the Week

I know decluttering can get overwhelming, so I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to make it easier (and keep burnout at bay).

1. Start Small with Daily Basics

Before jumping into decluttering, do a quick tidy-up. Make the beds, toss a load of laundry in, and handle the basics so the “everyday mess” doesn’t distract you. I follow my favorite audio morning cleaning routine for this step (hint: it’s only 30 minutes, and it’s pure magic).

2. Set a Timer & Stop When It’s Over

This isn’t a marathon. Commit to 15 minutes per session. If you’re feeling good, keep going! If not, you’ve still made progress, and that’s worth celebrating.

3. Use Entertainment to Your Advantage

This is where those vintage radio shows come in clutch. Cleaning with a retro drama or comedy keeps your brain entertained and makes the time fly. Not into vintage? Grab a podcast, audiobook, or favorite playlist.

4. Use the Four-Box Method

Don’t just shuffle clutter around. Sort items into “Keep,” “Donate,” “Trash,” and “Relocate” boxes to stay organized. And listen, if you can’t decide on an item? Toss it in a maybe box and revisit it later.

5. Keep It FUN with Domestic Daydreams

Alright, friend, if you’re jumping into a decluttering session, let me put you onto something that makes the whole process a lot more fun (and a lot less overwhelming): Domestic Daydreams Radio cleaning routines.

Here’s the thing. Sometimes tackling clutter can feel like a major chore, right? But with these audio-guided routines featuring nostalgic 1950s radio shows, decluttering suddenly feels cozy, even entertaining!

These routines are designed to guide you through cleaning and organizing in just 30 minutes a day. You press play, tune in, and before you know it, you’ve not only made serious progress, but you’ve also had a little “me-time” in the process. Plus, the structure helps you stay on track, so there’s no wandering off mid-declutter to scroll on your phone (guilty, anyone?).

Here’s the kicker—I’ve got free episodes you can try out! Seriously, give it a shot during your next decluttering session, and see how much easier (and dare I say enjoyable?) it becomes. It’s like decluttering with a friend, except this one has a charming vintage radio voice.

Grab a free episode here and see how much easier decluttering feels when you’ve got a friendly voice (and dramatic retro mystery) cheering you on.

By the end of this week, you’ll have clearer rooms, less clutter, and maybe even fall in love with decluttering a little. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about creating space for what matters. You’ve got this!