The Clever Five-Year Rule That'll Help You Easily Declutter Your Home

Cleaning your home might rank high on the list of your least favorite things to do, but what's the one specific task that's perhaps even more anxiety provoking and stomach dropping? Decluttering. It's common to have old items that you don't know how to manage, many of which are unused but still difficult to part with. To make matters more confusing, there are also endless strategies for decluttering your home to choose from, each more complex than the last. If other decluttering methods have failed to truly keep your home free of unnecessary material goods, it may be worth trying a different, simpler strategy of just looking at a piece's utility. Enter the five-year rule, which recommends that you toss or donate any items you have that have not been used in the last five years.

When assessing whether it's time to let go of old items in your home, the five-year rule suggests that if you haven't actually used them in the past five years, it's unlikely you ever will again. At this point, it may just be best to get rid of them. This strategy might seem harsh, but it's ideal for those of us who have a difficult time getting rid of things they no longer need. While you may vacillate on an item you haven't used in the last month, it's a lot harder to justify keeping an item you haven't even considered in half a decade. In theory, the five-year rule can save time spent on making decisions to help you streamline your overall home decluttering process.

The five-year rule is easy to implement as you declutter your home room by room. You might find it easier to start off small by tackling a less messy space first, so you can gain confidence for more difficult ones. It's far easier to start in a bathroom, for example, rather than in an attic or basement full of old clutter. Don't forget to address items stored in closets, cabinets, and drawers. As you work through each room, don't spend a lot of time mulling over whether you should keep really old items. If you haven't used them in five years or longer, it's likely time that you place them in a trash bag, recycling bin, or donation box as appropriate (making sure to brush up on the list of things you shouldn't be donating to thrift stores).

As with any decluttering method, there are a few caveats to consider. The five-year rule generally applies to everyday items and not keepsakes, mementos, or one-of-a-kind priceless items. You do not need to apply this rule to family heirlooms or travel souvenirs; only use it for actual clutter, such as old clothing, paperwork, toys, and broken items. Generally, it'll help you quickly clear out the excess, including various one-time-use items (e.g., old Halloween costumes), items that have been outgrown (like games or sports gear), and anything you've already replaced. Also, keep in mind that the five-year rule is designed to simplify your decluttering chores and achieve a cleaner, more enjoyable home; it's not meant to cause even more stress or overwhelm. If this strategy isn't working for your decluttering journey, consider moving on to another or even getting a little help by hiring a professional organizer for your home.