Declutter Everything From Bathrooms To Storage With One Rule (Easier Than KonMari)

The line, "Life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get," from the movie "Forrest Gump" might seem philosophical, but it can hold true for your bathroom, wardrobe, linen closet, and other storage areas if you aren't aware of all the stuff that's hiding within these spaces. The way out? Decluttering. However, if you aren't a fan of the process or find it difficult to implement decluttering strategies for your home in different rooms, organize with just one rule. Say hello to the 90/90 minimalism rule.

To implement it, just ask yourself two questions. Have you used a particular item in the past 90 days? If yes, it goes in the "keep" pile or back to its place. But if your answer is no, will you use it in the coming 90 days? In case there's a chance you'll need it in the next three months, put it back in its designated spot. Otherwise, place it in the "trash," "sell," or "donate" pile. It truly is as simple as that and is easier to follow than the KonMari method, which isn't without its bad advice dished out on tidying up. The 90/90 rule works because it forces you to look at each item critically. Plus, you won't have to make snap judgements. You can give serious consideration to each item before putting it back or bidding it goodbye.

To apply the 90/90 decluttering rule in your bathroom, narrow down your focus zone. Do you want to tackle the vanity altogether, prioritize your makeup drawer, organize the countertop, or pay attention to your bath supplies first? Once you find the sweet spot, empty it out. Dust and wipe the area, then start going through the items you pulled out and decide if you want to keep or toss them per the 90/90 minimalism rule.

To illustrate, if you choose your makeup drawer, get your brushes, poufs, powders, tubes, and sachets out. Rub a damp microfiber cloth along the length of the drawer to clean it. Now, look at each of your lipstick and lip balm tubes, nail polish bottles, foundation, mascara, eye liner, and blush to determine whether you have used them in the past 90 days. Set aside the ones that make the cut. For the rest, decide if you'll be using them in the next 90 days. If not, it may be time to trash the open packages and donate or gift the ones you've yet to open (after looking at the expiration dates, of course). Once done, target another area to bring order to the rest of your bathroom.

Follow a similar approach to organize your wardrobe and get rid of the worn belts, just-because T-shirts, orphaned socks, too-short skirts, and they-will-fit-me-again jeans. Similarly, pare down your footwear collection, your fashion jewelry, your cutlery drawer, linen closet, and other things you have in storage to deliberately remove items that don't serve a purpose any longer.

Although uber simple to apply and follow in different areas of your home, there are a few caveats and exceptions to the 90/90 decluttering rule. For starters, the process can be a little time-consuming, especially if you own a lot of things. So, it may not be right for people who want quick results. If you fall in this category, try out TikTok's three second rule to add a little excitement to your home organization. Moreover, this process doesn't apply to seasonal items. For instance, if you have a moisturizer in your bathroom that's winter-specific, you'd be forced to part with it when following the 90/90 rule in spring or early summer. The same goes for your seasonal clothes.

Under such circumstances, either think ahead and determine if you'll use a particular item once the weather turns or adjust your timeline. Instead of giving each item a 90-day window on either end of the spectrum (the past and the future), broaden the scope to 120 or 180 days. Toss the things you can't visualize yourself using or wearing at the end of the period and put back anything that gets an instant "yes" from you. The "maybes" might be worth keeping, too. You can always reevaluate them at the end of the season. Be flexible and try out whatever works for you rather than stringently following the rule. Also, avoid decluttering your sentimental items, fancy clothes, or family heirlooms using this method to circumvent making rash decisions that you might regret.