Make a cord bag or box – group random, unused, unidentified cords, get them out of drawers, keeping them neat and tangle-free.

Bye-bye old business cards for services, stores, and people. Digitize keepers: snap a photo then search your photos with the words business card, see if it pops up.

Old reading glasses, eyeglasses with an out-of-date prescription & cracked sunglasses are on the toss it list today. Along with excess contact lens cases. Some eye stores and Lions Clubs accept them.

Time to weed the receipts, including any crumbled ones from your pockets, bottoms of random tote bags, and car door consoles.

Shamrock themed party supplies, novelty shamrock glasses, and green paper goods – enjoy them – and use them up. Don’t save four Leprechaun napkins for 2026.

Bye-bye old shopping lists, notes to self, brochures, and business cards you no longer need.

Pens, pens and more pens, many without ink. Broken pencils and dried out markers. Toss the junk, keep some, donate a bag of the rest.

Time to tackle leftovers – all those things you shoved back in the drawer after the last tidy-up. Revisit the items you didn’t decide about last time.

Time to de-crumb the corners of the drawers. Remove the organizer and do a clean sweep or get in the corners with a vacuum.

Remove expired store coupons from the drawer. Also discard any you won’t use or don’t need.

Time to trash those old non-winning lottery tickets, 50/50 stubs and scratch offs that have been lingering in the drawer.

What did you stash in the drawer the last time you were tired of looking at it, moving it around, or needed to hide when company popped by? Get it out of the drawer and sort it out.

Gum wrappers? Stale hard candy? An ancient candy cane? Time to say bye to all the icky stuff that’s been cluttering up the drawers.

What’s broken? Somehow broken items roll to the back of drawers. Take a look and find some items that just need to go.

Many of us will be changing the time this weekend, but even if you are not, it is your yearly reminder to check your smoke detectors and CO2 alarms. Swap in new batteries after checking to make sure they are not expired, yes, they expire.

Bye-bye rusty bottle opener, it’s time to toss that metal opener from the waaaayy back of the kitchen drawer.

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Welcome to our 2025 Daily Decluttering Project! I am so glad you are joining me. We have been following along together for many years and to keep it fresh this year things will look a little different. Each month will focus on a different topic, pulled from the pages of my book KEEP THIS, TOSS THAT

Take a little time today to untangle cords and maybe even (gasp) label them – assuming, of course, that you actually know what they are.

When is the last time you tidied up the nightstand drawer. Take a look at what you can toss or relocate.

Ready…set…find one thing from the end table drawer that you can toss today.

Just how many rubber bands and twist ties do you own? Inventory the collection, decrease, if necessary, then group together before storing.

Makeup brushes and sponges and applicators do not last forever and must be cleaned regularly. Many can be cleaned with mild shampoo or makeup remover – but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The most important part is drying them completely.

It might be time to clean the shower curtain with liner or door tracks. An old toothbrush might be the best tool for getting into the crevices of the track.

That old hair dryer, electric shaver, hair crimper, curling iron or any other plug-in appliance or device that you are not using is the item to go today.

Nail polish typically has a 1-2 year expiration date. Colors change, the consistency changes, and if you have not used it up in years then chances are you don’t need or love it. Time to go.

Today we are doing a clean sweep: look for 10 things to toss in 10 minutes. The first things to go: anything that is rusty, cracked, chipped, damaged, broken, used up, won’t use up, out-of-date, or otherwise unusable.

Do you have a marker in the bathroom? If not, you might want to put one there. That way you can mark the date on products when you open them. Your easy-to-read date will help ensure products are safe to use.

Did you know you can use your cell phone map to locate medication drop off locations? Simply open your map like you were going to get GPS directions. Then, in the search bar type “medication drop off locations” the pinpoints on the map show nearby drop off sites.

Have you looked through the first aid supplies recently? Today let’s make sure all the supplies are sterile and in date. Keep a list of items you need to replace. Try storing supplies like pharmacy aisles: cold/flu, tummy/head, allergy, band aid/antibiotic ointment etc.

Let’s talk shower caddies today. And how about what sits in the corners of the shower? Could you create storage by clearing out a shelf in the cabinet, so things have a place to go. Try to keep out only what you use every day.

What is in the waaaayyyy back of the under-sink cabinet? Pull things out and find out! Replace the things you use and need in clearly labeled containers. Discard what is no longer needed.

One of the best things I bought: under sink mats! They cover the base of the cabinet with a lip to catch any spills or water drips. These saved my cabinet when there was a small pipe leak. Easy to wipe off or rinse off, spills will be contained. And make the most of available storage space under the sink with an adjustable under sink shelf with slats that work around plumbing or two-tier slide out shelves that side to the left and the right of the plumbing.

And skincare lotions and potions you won’t finish should go. The same is true for any skincare tools like rollers, masks, undereye gel stickers, and anything else you won’t use.

When is the last time you washed your hairbrush and/or comb? Usually, soapy water made with shampoo is a good option for washing them before drying thoroughly.

Sunscreen expires or you might have some you won’t finish up. Make sure you are getting the protection from the sun you are expecting by replacing sunscreen regularly.

Most insect repellents expire, or you might have some you won’t finish up. Check with your local Dept. of Public Works about collection of hazardous household waste.

Tiny heart bars of soap for guests, a heart shaped soap dispenser, hand towels with embroidered hearts, a shower curtain with hearts on it, a heart shaped bathmat – if any of this is old, torn, icky, or no longer able to be cleaned well, then toss it today.

Do you have an overabundance of cosmetic cases and makeup bags? How many do you use? Store some with the luggage/overnight bags. Use one or two as pouches for items in a laptop workbag or everyday handbag.

What needs fixing, updating, or replacing? Today notice what – if anything – in the bathroom needs some attention. A loose vanity drawer handle, a faucet that needs a polish or an old loofah that needs to be replaced.

Let’s take inventory of any cleaning supplies stored in the bathroom (safely of course) it is time to discard any you will not finish, recycle empty bottles and wipe down any drips.

Perfume and cologne do not last forever. The scent changes, the consistency is off, the color looks weird, the bottle gets sticky. Let’s check the ones you have to see if any need to go.

Whether or not you are indulging in lots of spicy snacks while watching the SUPER game on TV today, it is a great day to check your bathroom cabinet for upset tummy remedies. Discard any that are out of date.

When is the last time you cleaned the shower caddy/organizer? Declutter the shelves and rinse off any soap scum.

Time to tidy the tiny travel toiletries. The ones you have not seen since your last get away. Itty bitty shampoos, cute packets of tissues, little bottles of make-up remover. Time to toss those that are out of date.

When is the last time you cleaned your toothbrush holder? While you do that maybe replace your toothbrush too?

Should we discuss all the towels? The stained ones, the shredding ones, the ones you will ever use. Today is the day to pare down your supply of towels.

Does your bathmat need to be cleaned? Or replaced? Do you have old bathmats you are saving – just in case you need to use them. Let’s focus on updating the current one and toss icky ones.

When is the last time you looked in the way back of the vanity drawer? Time to take a peek, I think you’ll find something to toss. Maybe a rusty bobby pin or a comb with bent teeth. Say so long today.

Ready to see what’s under the sink? Today is a great day to take a look. What will you keep? What will you toss? What will you use up? What will you need to replace? What will you relocate to a more convenient spot?

Add a marker to the medicine cabinet. Then you can easily date products. It’s not easy to remember when you bought or opened something and many of these products expire.

Don’t bring leftovers into a new month. Take care of any random items that came out of pants pockets, wallets, or bags. Things like receipts, coins, lip balms, and gum wrappers.

Before the month is over count up your wins. List what you have accomplished – proving you are good at decluttering and tidying up!

Let’s tidy the glasses collection: sunglasses, eyeglasses, reading glasses. Ones you won’t use can be donated to Lions Clubs and some eye care centers.

What’s with all the umbrellas? Time to sort out the collection of golf umbrellas, tiny foldable ones, collapsible and more. Keep one in the car and toss any that are broken or too flimsy to withstand gusty winds.

Where could you add a light? A battery-operated or rechargeable, stick-up light might work well in the back of a deep drawer or in a closet. Being able to clearly see can help you keep things tidy and find what you need.

It’s dusting day, wipe things down including the doorframe where there is a slim lip that collects dust. If you want to disinfect the doorknob that would be awesome!

When is the last time you washed your gloves or scarf? How about your sunglasses or earbuds? This would be a great day to clean things that need it.

Instead of piling up junk mail – what if we stop it from coming? Check out catalogchoice.org to stop catalogs and for the majority of the junk mail look at dmachoice.org.

Reminder: purchases made around the holiday time have a limited return window, check to see what needs to go back then make a plan to get it there.

Do you have a bag of items to donate sitting by the door? Get them out today. Scheduling a pickup by an organization is a great way to give you a deadline to bag things up while ensuring the items actually leave.

Does that cable charge anything you currently own? Do you know where the current phone charger is? Collect and identify all the cords, then set up a charging station.

Do you have a spot for storing your sunglasses, house/car keys, earbuds, and other everyday essentials. If these items go missing often, consider creating a spot for them, like a hook or basket.

Take ten minutes to tidy. Lots of times everything near the entry door belongs there – but things can get messy. A simply straighten up session can make a huge difference – it isn’t always about decluttering.

You know that piece of paper, magazine, or newsletter sitting there, waiting to be read – today is a great day to read and then recycle it!

Does the mirror need a spot wipe? Does the floor under your shoes need a cleaning? Or maybe it is dusting day. Clean that spot in the entry area you have been meaning to get to.

These are my go-to cleaning towels, I use the blue in the bathroom, pink for my pet and yellow in the kitchen. Just like all microfiber towels, skip the high heat when drying and never use fabric softener or dryer sheets when laundering, the fibers get coated and then they can’t absorb.

Today is the best day to get that thing you owe someone to that person. Seriously. The cake plate, the library book, the sweater, the store return, anything that is not yours, don’t keep it in your home.

Where do you put store receipts? If the answer is bottom of your bag, overflowing wallet, pants pocket – then maybe place a box near the door to toss them. Then discard from the bottom (older) as needed.

If you need to track receipts for reimbursement or returns or reconciling monthly statements – try a mini accordion file. Sort them by month or by category or by credit card used for the purchase. A receipt spike will also get the job done, slip them on so they stay in one place. I staple the receipt for purchases under warranty to the warranty booklet so if/when I need it, it should be there. This is my favorite way to store instruction booklets and warranty info.

We all have at least one random key without a label, and we have no idea what it opens. Today, label all those spare keys. If you are not sure what they open, label them “? 1/13/25” then in a year – if no ID you can toss. This zipper pouch keeps keys organized. These are the key covers I use; the color coding helps me reach for the correct key. For spare keys I use these tags.

My trusted neighbors and I exchanged keys, instead of their home address, I used a code to label their keys, that way if someone who should not have their keys gets them, they won’t know what they open.

You can also repurpose the plastic tabs from bags of bread as key labels, like this:

Treasure hunt day – you might hit the jackpot! Collect loose change, wrap it to deposit at the bank or use it to pay for things at the self-checkout at the store. Going forward, designate one collection spot like this digital jar.

The things that are sitting near the front door – the ones waiting to go somewhere – this would be a great day to get them going where they need to go.

Timed Task Day! Set a timer for 10 minutes and put things away. If anything is difficult to put away – figure out why – most often it is because the storage spot is inconvenient or overstuffed.

Ready to tidy that front hall closet? A good place to start is by trying on all the coats and jackets. Check the pockets while you do, then any you don’t use, or love can be donated.

Insider tip #1: Running out of space? Store out of season jackets in a garment bag. It will look tidy while saving space. Coats will be protected, stay dust-free, and be lightly compressed to save space.

Insider tip #2: Open the garment bag as the seasons change so you remember what you own – or you’ll buy a 2nd winter coat. Oh wait, that was me – I bought a 2nd winter coat.

Give the ones you use most often a space to sit. Put away any you don’t reach for all the time. Have a mat or tray where shoes can dry if your winter is muddy, snowy, salty.

This is the style cabinet I have for shoes near the door. The drawer is perfect for sunglasses, keys, and more. They make a narrow cabinet with tip out shelves – just know larger shoes and boots will not fit. This open style is popular (it comes in bamboo too), no cabinet door to open, but that does mean your shoes are visible. Prefer to go with a taller style where shoes are easier to reach, and the organizer takes up a lot less floor space. Time to tidy the shoes.

Have some shoes to donate? DSW Shoe Stores are collection points for donating shoes to Soles for Souls.

Take ten minutes to straighten up the entry area. Line up shoes or put some away. Stack the mail pile. Hang the keys. Place items where they belong. Sometimes a space simply needs to be straightened up.

The spot nearest the door you use most often can get messy, but there is nothing to “toss” it’s simply a matter of putting things away. Set a timer to 10 minutes and challenge yourself to put 10 things where they belong.

This is the digital timer I use; I like that you can save the battery by turning it off when not in use. It comes as a 2-pack, so I keep one in the kitchen for cooking. Of course there are adorable timers like this fox one. And Time Timer is a visual timer where you can watch the time tick away as the color fades – very helpful for children who are learning to tell time.

That item sitting there – the one waiting to be returned. This is a great day to do it.

Try using an errand bag as the one place to store items (along with their receipts) for easy returns.

A pop-up style container can be the perfect place to keep your items going out the door with you. It will fold flat when not in use – making it a great space saver, plus, it is pretty! Whichever bag you choose look for one that is light weight, keeping it lighter when filled.

Shake out your Welcome Mat. Replace if needed.

If you put out a holiday themed version, then it might be time to swap it out.

As much as I like the fun Welcome Mats with pretty designs and cute sayings, I find them to be more decorative than functional. I opt for thin profile commercial styles that are non-slip, absorbent and have fibers that remove debris from soles of shoes.

The entry area welcomes you home. Try adding a piece of wall art or a mirror for last looks on your way out the door. Check around for pieces you own, but have not hung up yet, or take them from another room.

This wall mirror is both decorative and functional, with hooks and a ledge. It is similar to the one I have, which was an apartment warming gift from my mom decades ago. If I were going to add another piece of wall art, I think it would look like this. And you know how much I love flameless candles, I use them in every room, including the entryway. I have them hanging on these. I love that they turn on and off automatically, the glow welcomes me home.

Add a tiny trash can to the entry area. Perfect for tossing trash or recycling junk mail before it has a chance to land in a pile on the table.

No shredder required, I use this ink roller to cover my personal info on junk mail before tossing in this swing top can. Preventing junk mail from piling up by tossing it in a cute swing top can makes me very happy.

If swing top is not your favorite style here is an open top, step style, and no touch motion activated version which I think would also make me enjoy tossing junk mail.

A zippy little letter opener also makes dealing with the mail a little more bearable. I’m a fan of doing all I can do to make processing paperwork easier, while keeping unwanted mail out of my home. If you don’t have a tiny trash can nearby this is your sign to try it out.

Designate an easy spot to drop everyday essentials like keys, sunglasses, and wallet.

Note: avoid using a “catch-all” basket or tray which ends up catching everything except your essentials.

Does your home have a dedicated entryway? A mudroom or foyer? Or do you walk into a room without a formal entryway? Whatever way your space is designed, you can still create a little landing spot for your essentials, like your keys, sunglasses, bags, wallet, earbuds, dog leash, umbrella and more.

Whenever I can I go vertical, using wall or back of the door space. For me, flat surfaces tend to pile up with stuff, so I try to have a spot for each item – then I have to take a moment to put things away.

Hooks are great, over the door hooks can work, so can a back of the door organizer. I’m using a slim table like this one which gives me a spot for my bag, shoes, and a drawer for the little stuff that could easily get lost. And I have an on the wall organizer with hooks and loops for hanging keys, sunglasses, and the dog leash.

You’ll know you have the best set up for you when you:

-have an easy spot for things you bring in

-have a place for stuff that needs to go out

-can find what you are looking for easily

Sort out the tote bag collection. Group them by type (insulated, canvas, structured, etc.) then by size. I use the YouCopia Adjustable StoraBag Reusable Shopping Bag Organizer. They stay standing up and I can store the bags stored by type and size, which means I can grab the one I need easily.

When I’m in California or New Jersey I no longer get plastic bags at the store. Which means I am hoarding all the ones I own and saving them for a very special occasion. I store them in a hanging dispenser.

Designate one bag for donations and schedule a pickup before the end of January.

Find anything marked 2024: party favors, plates, napkins, decor, t-shirts and anything else – use it up by midnight.

Find whatever you’ll need to celebrate tomorrow night – that way you won’t be rushing around looking for it later.

Snap photos to remember how you arranged decorations you’ll want to replicate next holiday season.

Date any new product boxes with the warranty end date, then you’ll know when you can safely recycle the box.

If you can’t resist buying those 75% off after holiday decorations don’t hide them too well or you won’t be able to find them next year.

Don’t forget to date and label leftovers.

Set up a gift opening toolbox: scissors, tie cutter, tiny screwdriver, Allen keys. trash & recycle bags, batteries, pad & pen, small plastic baggies for gift cards & parts.

Pare down the cookie jar and bags of cookies by putting them out for Santa and/or eating them yourself.

Pull out leftover paper plates and paper napkins so you can use them up before 2025.

Email or text that photo you forgot to share with a friend or family member.

That bag you keep meaning to empty out – today is a great day to do it.

Recycle torn, bent, yellowing gift tags.

Say so long to strands of lights that no longer light.

Time to replace that throw pillow – the one with the squished stuffing – so squished it can’t be fluffed up.

That task you meant to do yesterday, this is the next best day to get it done, so today, check it off your to-do list.

Catch up on laundry while sorting out old, unused laundry products.

Straighten the linen closet, stack towels and check for guest linens if you will need them.

Make a list of those you plan to tip, then store the list for next year.

Designate a single place to collect holiday shopping receipts for exchanges and returns.

Tackle a holiday task – wrap a gift, find your dressy outfit, or pick out a recipe for the dish you’ll be making.