Feeling overwhelmed by clutter but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. As moms, our homes are constantly in motion—meals being made, toys being played with, laundry always piling up. It can feel never-ending.
I know firsthand how living in a cluttered space affects my mood. When my kitchen counters are covered and the sink is full of dishes, I can’t think clearly or cook creatively. I feel like I’m shutting down. But I’ve learned that decluttering doesn’t have to take hours—sometimes, just five minutes can make a huge difference.
Here’s how you can declutter in small bursts and start seeing real change in your home.
This post is all about quick decluttering tips.
Why Tiny Decluttering Wins Matter
A big myth about decluttering is that it’s a one-time event—that if you just purge everything once, you’re set for life. But in reality, decluttering is a continual process. Things are always coming into our homes, and we need simple systems to manage the flow of stuff.
The other misconception? That you have to do it all at once. As a busy mom, that’s just not realistic. But what is realistic is taking 5 minutes at a time to clear out small areas that will make a big impact.
5 Areas You Can Declutter in Just 5 Minutes
If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, try one of these quick decluttering wins:
1️⃣ Kitchen Counters & Sink – Clear dishes, put away appliances, toss expired coupons. A clutter-free kitchen makes cooking easier!
2️⃣ Bathroom Drawer or Cabinet – Toss expired makeup, skincare, or half-used bottles you’ll never finish.
3️⃣ Entryway Drop Zone – Put away shoes, sort the mail, and hang up bags to stop clutter from piling up.
4️⃣ Nightstand or Bedroom Surface – Clear off receipts, old water cups, tangled chargers, and random clutter for a more peaceful space.
5️⃣ Your Purse or Diaper Bag – Get rid of trash, old receipts, and anything unnecessary. A lighter bag = a lighter load!
💡 Bonus Tip: Set a 5-minute timer and see how much you can clear before it goes off!
A Simple Daily Habit to Keep Clutter Away
One of the best habits I’ve developed is starting with the floors—if I feel overwhelmed, I simply pick up everything off the floor and find a home for it. I once read that our brains perceive things on the floor as imminent danger (maybe because they’re tripping hazards), and it makes so much sense. The moment I clear the floor, I feel less stressed almost instantly.
Another simple habit? The “Don’t put it down, put it away” rule. I try to model this for my kids by decluttering spaces and letting them experience how much better it feels. Over time, they’ve started following suit!
This post was all about quick decluttering tips.
Overwhelmed Mom’s Survival Kit
If you’re loving these quick decluttering wins, I think you’ll really appreciate the Overwhelmed Mom’s Survival Kit. It’s a free printable bundle I created for moms just like you, full of simple tools to bring peace and order into your day. Inside, you’ll find a daily rhythm template, easy meal ideas, and my favorite 10-minute cleaning reset checklist. It’s like a deep breath on paper.
💛 You can grab it here and start creating calm in your home, one tiny task at a time.
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