Decluttering, the Reddit Way: 7 Surprisingly Smart Tricks You Haven t Tried

Even after reading every decluttering book and following the checklists, I still find myself looking at the same stack of items that I might use. Does that sound familiar? In actuality, much advise seems fine in theory but falls flat when you’re overburdened, occupied, or simply exhausted. I then started using Reddit. It’s unvarnished, brutally honest, and jam-packed with useful advice from actual people who have experienced the same difficult situation. What I discovered there was strange, unexpected, and, to be honest, far more beneficial than your average “fold your socks” advise.

This post has seven odd decluttering suggestions that I took directly from Reddit and that have completely revolutionized the way I organize my workspace. If you ve ever felt stuck or frustrated, one of these might just unlock something for you too.

Which one, in your opinion, would fit your existing area the best? I would love to know what you think.

1. Rage-Cleaning: Let Anger Work for You

My favorite decluttering advice was hidden in a Reddit thread about frustration, which surprised me. I clean best when I’m angry, as one user put it so well. As it happens, they’re not alone themselves.Cleaning with rageIt’s astonishing how effective it is to use annoyance or emotional overload as fuel. You’re not making an effort to be well-organized. Your goal is to purge. Quick.

This advice is effective since it avoids the whole “Should I keep this?” controversy. Your tolerance for pointless things vanishes when you’re in that emotionally heated condition. You make clear decisions, move more quickly, and care less.

The emotion is present whether it’s a disagreement, a difficult day at work, or even PMS. Instead of letting it spiral, use it. Set a 20-minute timer, turn up the music, and tidy up a drawer, shelf, and corner. That’s all. When you stop thinking and start acting, you’ll be surprised at how much you can get out.

Try this:Avoid waiting for inspiration. Await annoyance. Then move. What is an unpleasant situation that you may use as an opportunity to purge this week?

2. The Poop Rule : A Brutally Simple Decluttering Test

I laughed aloud at this one and instantly rethought half of my things.

The Poop Rule, which was popularized by a New York Post piece, is just as it sounds: Would you bother to clean something you own if it were inadvertently coated in poop? You most likely don’t care enough to keep it otherwise.

It’s a psychological shortcut, but it sounds disgusting. We often give things we don’t use a nebulous just-in-case value, but when put in a dire situation, our actual emotions come to the surface.Reddit usersmentioned this as a decluttering trick that cuts through emotional fog. One person even said that it enabled them to discard half of their kitchen appliances in a single afternoon. Upcycling what you can before throwing it away is a clever compromise if you’re in the mood to part with old items but detest waste. Rags, old towels, and even shabby clothing can be given a new purpose at home.

When you’re unsure about something, like a broken mug, a duplicate charger, or a pair of shoes you haven’t worn since 2019, apply this guideline. Bring up the feces question. It’s gone if the response is negative.

The reason this works is that it eliminates the mental acrobatics. Either you don’t care enough to keep it, or you care enough to clean it. No spreadsheet is required.

3. The 20/20 Rule: Ditch the Just in Case Items

Are you familiar with the items you keep on hand for emergencies? The additional extension cord that has been twisted in a drawer for years, the spare toaster, or the backup umbrella? You can finally let them go with the help of the 20/20 Rule, which was made popular by professional organizers and frequently reiterated on Reddit.

Here’s how it works: Let it go if you can replace it for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes. You may break free from the phony security these additions offer with only that safety net.

I gave my bathroom cabinet a try. Goodbye, five-year-old travel hairdryer. I can easily replace it in the future if I truly need one. Freedom is that.

Applications include tech cords, extra kitchenware, sporadic workplace supplies, vacation equipment, and mismatched socks.

Why it matters: This rule removes guilt and provides you with a conceptual foundation. You’re being realistic rather than wasteful.

4. One-In, One-Out with a Twist That Actually Works

The well-known one-in, one-out rule—get rid of one old item when you buy anything new—is surely familiar to you. However, Redditors added a useful twist that makes it simpler to follow. Don’t wait till you’ve made a purchase. Prior to anything arriving, decide what is leaving.

Why is this important? due to the fact that the ordinary version depends on willpower following the purchase. However, you’re buying more mindfully when you make the swap in advance. This mental change transforms impulsive purchases into deliberate curating.

Users have utilized this technique to reduce closet clutter, prevent kitchen overflow, and even manage toy sprawl with children, according to a thread on Reddit’s decluttering community. One commenter wrote: I decide which jacket to donate before purchasing a new one. No exceptions. It functions.

Try this:This month, set a new rule for yourself: if you’re considering bringing something new home, start by naming its replacement. No substitute? No buy.

Why it works: The true game-changer is that it prevents clutter before it begins.

5. The Outbox Method (Without the Guilt Trip)

Deciding what to get go of can feel too final at times. What if you regret it later? That hesitation is exactly why the Outbox Method exists and Reddit users swear by it.

Here s the idea: Instead of forcing an immediate yes/no decision, create a temporary holding zone a box, a basket, even a shelf where you place items you re unsure about. Then set a reminder. If you don t miss or need anything from that box after, say, 30 days, you let it go.

It gives your brain the breathing room it needs to detach, without committing too fast. And this method has been validated by experts too. InSouthern Living s organizer-approved decluttering guide, pros recommend similar holding spaces as a non-intimidating way to transition out of clutter.

Reddit users often report that 90% of their outbox items go untouched and are then donated with zero regret.

Try this:Label a box in your closet or under your bed. Drop in anything you re debating, and revisit it in a month. Odds are, you ll realize you ve already emotionally detached from it.

Why it s effective:It eliminates guilt and overthinking. You re not saying goodbye you re just giving yourself space to know if you ll miss it. Most of the time, you won t.

6. The Didn t Know I Had It Rule

This one hit hard the first time I tried it. While sorting through an old bin of bathroom supplies, I found a face mask I bought two years ago. My first reaction? I didn t even know I had this. And just like that, it became clear: if I didn t even realize it was there, I clearly don t need it.

That s the rule if you forgot you owned it, it probably doesn t deserve space in your home.

Reddit users have coined this theDidn t Know I Had It Rule, and it s especially powerful during deep-dive sessions like clearing out closets, storage boxes, or junk drawers. One r/declutterpost said, If I can live without it for a year and not notice, it doesn t belong in my space.

Professional organizers echo this logic too. InThe Spruce s list of what pros toss first, forgotten duplicates and unused items are the first to go. It s not just about waste it s about awareness. If something s invisible in your daily life, it s not serving you. Forgotten items often pile up in out-of-sight spots like the attic. If you re planning a deeper clean,don t miss these genius attic-decluttering tipsthey re designed to help you avoid burnout and actually finish the job.

Where this applies best:Storage bins, seasonal decor, toiletries, pantry backups, and buried craft supplies.

Why it works:It removes sentiment and focuses on use. It s not about whether you like the item. It s about whether you knew it existed.

7. Declutter by Exit Points, Not Just by Room

Most of us declutter by location the kitchen, the closet, the garage. But on Reddit, a smarter approach kept popping up: decluttering byexit pointsinstead.

What are exit points? They re the physical spaces that allow clutter to pile up and stay. Think donation bins, junk mail piles, your car trunk, the hallway drop zone, or that basket by the stairs that collects random stuff. Instead of only focusing on rooms, target thesebottleneckswhere things get stuck.

This concept is echoed in real-world decluttering frameworks too. InLivingetc s pro-approved decluttering schedule, organizing coach Caroline Solomon talks about how clutter builds not in chaos, but in unmaintained holding areas.

Reddit users report huge progress just by regularly emptying donation bags, clearing car seats, or emptying hallway boxes.One user wrote, I had three donation bags in my trunk for six months. Decluttering didn t count until they were gone.

Bonus: If you re doing a seasonal purge or prepping your home before a trip,check out what smart homeowners always put away first. It ll keep your space clear and stress-free while you re away.

Try this:Walk through your home and identify 3 spots where clutter leaves but never actually exits. Clear those first. Then set a weekly exit day (like Sunday drop-offs or Monday donation runs).

Why this works:It closes the loop. Decluttering isn t just about sorting it s about follow-through. No one talks about that, but it s where real change happens.

What Makes These Tips Stick

What I love about these Reddit-born decluttering ideas is that they re not coming from perfect people with color-coded pantries. They re raw, real, and born from everyday mess. They cut through guilt, overwhelm, and decision fatigue and they work because they meet you where you are.

You don t need a Pinterest-worthy game plan. You need one small shift in how you think about your stuff. Whether it s rage-cleaning your way through a bad mood, questioning what you d actually clean if it were disgusting, or just finally getting those donation bags out of your trunk these tips aren t just clever. They re honest. And honestly, that s what most of us need.

Now I want to hear from youWhich of these felt like a game-changer for your space? Have you ever used a weird decluttering rule that worked way better than expected? Let s swap stories.

Looking for more real-life organizing tips?VisitBuild Like Newfor practical strategies that actually work no fluff, no overwhelm.

Disclaimer:The tips shared in this article are based on personal experiences and publicly available discussions. Always choose what works best for your lifestyle and consult professionals for personalized organizing or mental health advice.

Table of Contents

• Decluttering, the Reddit Way: 7 Surprisingly Smart Tricks You Haven t Tried

  • 1. Rage-Cleaning: Let Anger Work for You

  • 2. The Poop Rule : A Brutally Simple Decluttering Test

  • 3. The 20/20 Rule: Ditch the Just in Case Items

  • 4. One-In, One-Out with a Twist That Actually Works

  • 5. The Outbox Method (Without the Guilt Trip)

  • 6. The Didn t Know I Had It Rule

  • 7. Declutter by Exit Points, Not Just by Room

  • What Makes These Tips Stick

• 1. Rage-Cleaning: Let Anger Work for You

• 2. The Poop Rule : A Brutally Simple Decluttering Test

• 3. The 20/20 Rule: Ditch the Just in Case Items

• 4. One-In, One-Out with a Twist That Actually Works

• 5. The Outbox Method (Without the Guilt Trip)

• 6. The Didn t Know I Had It Rule

• 7. Declutter by Exit Points, Not Just by Room

• What Makes These Tips Stick