Inside: Use the 12-12-12 declutter rule to clear more clutter from your home even if you don’t have a lot of time.

Maybe you know that you need to declutter… but you’re so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to start.

Or maybe your house is clutter-free and you’re trying to figure out how to stay on top of everything. 

While you could just roll up your sleeves and make it happen, it’s a lot easier to follow a plan. And if you’re looking for a simple but effective one, I’ve got you covered.

It’s the 12-12-12 declutter rule. 

The rule is simple: find 12 things to throw away, 12 things to donate, and 12 things to put back in their proper place. Easy, right?

By getting rid of junk, passing on items you no longer need to those who could use them, and putting stuff back where it belongs (cluttered countertops, I’m looking at you), you might be surprised to see just how much of an impact you can make on your space with minimal effort.

12-12-12 declutter rule

How can you use the 12-12-12 declutter rule to clear more clutter?

The 12-12-12 rule is simple, straightforward, and can be applied to a variety of situations.

Whether you’re trying to clean your whole home from top to bottom, stressed out over the mess in a specific closet, or just want to do a quick cleanup to stay on top of things as you head into the weekend, here are a few ways you can use the 12-12-12 rule to declutter more stuff:

1. Use the 12-12-12 rule to get household clutter under control.

If you’ve got a house full of clutter and simply don’t know where to start, the 12-12-12 rule can help.

Decluttering can feel like such an overwhelming task. An easy way to solve that problem and make it feel more manageable is to break it into smaller jobs.

Not only will you be able to quickly achieve your goal, you’ll be motivated by the instant impact you’ve made on your space to keep going. 

That’s where 12-12-12 can help. Twelve is a big enough number that you’ll feel like you’re making a difference. However, it is still small enough that it won’t feel like you’re trying to do it all at once.

clutter-free kitchen

First, pick a spot to focus your energy. Selecting a specific room – the kitchen, for example – will help you see the results of your hard work more quickly.

Then, find 12 things to throw away. Literal trash, chipped dishes, broken appliances you’ve been holding onto, expired spices in your pantry – all of these things (and more) can go straight into the trash can.

Next, choose 12 things to donate. Look for items in good condition that get little use, like single-purpose appliances, or items that you have lots of duplicates of – mixing bowls, utensils, food storage containers. This could also be canned goods that have been collecting dust in your pantry!

Finally, put 12 things away where they belong. Focus on clearing those countertops.

Once you’ve finished, step back and see what an impact you’ve made in such a short period of time. Chances are, you’ll have more to address – so simply repeat until you’re satisfied with your space.

Once you’ve fully decluttered a room, maintenance becomes much easier.

12-12-12 declutter rule

2. Use the 12-12-12 declutter rule to maintain a tidy home.

The 12-12-12 rule doesn’t just have to come into play when you’ve got a lot of clutter to address. On the contrary, it’s an effective way to keep your space tidy and clean once you’ve done the heavy lifting. 

Make 12-12-12 a part of your regular weekend routine, or something you do after you’ve brought new items into your home.

Have you refreshed your wardrobe recently? Use the 12-12-12 decluttering rule for your closet to remove pieces you won’t wear again and donate them.

Or just feeling like your home could use a little TLC after a long and busy week? Consider a quick 12-12-12 to tidy up your living space.

Think critically about the things you don’t actually need, and put items that have wandered away from their homes back where they belong. It’s these small tidying habits that make a big difference in your home.

cluttered closet

3. Use the 12-12-12 rule to tackle a specific spot in your space.

The beauty of 12-12-12 is in its versatility. You can embrace 12-12-12 at the household level, focus on a certain room, or even get more granular.

Is your junk drawer absolutely overflowing? A quick 12-12-12 session (or two) is likely all it’ll take to get everything under control. 

Maybe you’ve got a cluttered closet bursting at the seams with spare linens, board games, and holiday decorations you stowed away without really thinking about it?

A medicine cabinet in the bathroom that has been overlooked for a little too long?

Or even a storage container in the garage that seems a little too chaotic for your liking? The 12-12-12 decluttering rule can help you get it under control, get rid of the junk, and organize the rest. 

12-12-12 declutter rule

4. Use the 12-12-12 declutter strategy when you don’t have a lot of time to declutter.

If you want to make a big impact on your space but don’t have much time to declutter, you’re in luck.

While it can be tempting to get stuck in analysis paralysis when determining what to keep and what to toss, the 12-12-12 rule helps to prevent overthinking. Instead of trying to decide on each and every item, you are just looking for thirty-six items to remove from the space.

Regularly implementing this practice will make a big difference in your space while minimizing the time and effort it takes.

While you can move through the process quickly if you stay focused. You can set a timer to help keep you on task.

You might be surprised to see how much you can get done in 12 minutes – or, even less. Put on a song or two that gets you energized, roll up your sleeves, and get it done! 

What space in your home could benefit the most from the 12-12-12 declutter strategy? Leave a comment and let me know!

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6 Comments

  1. I absolutely love the 12-12-12 rule! Maybe it’s a function of my particular type of ADHD, but setting timers doesn’t support me as well as this.

    One thing jumped out at me in this email; you mention expired spices can go right in the trash. Yes, the contents could, but please advise people to recycle whatever they can, such as the glass or plastic they come in. Every little bit of recycling makes a difference!

    1. Silly to say this here. But I’m an Olmstead. From Grand Forks ND. Not many around the states. Just saying hi!

  2. This rule is very practical. Those little pesky things add up, but dedicating to 12 items a day will amount to a lot! It is so cathartic to de-clutter and put an end to those ‘hot spots’ .. (junk) Thanks for a great sensible article!

  3. My sewing room is desperate for de-cluttering! I love this idea of 12-12-12! It will help me get started! There is so much fabric and tools and patterns and thread and , and , and….It feels so overwhelming when I think of tackling it. As soon as I

  4. I just finished sorting and mailing to my 8 siblings photos entrusted to me by our Mom. It took about three months of working in chunks of time–depending on my energy. All of my siblings were thrilled to get their “walks down memory lane.” I gave each one of them permission to keep, pass on, or toss anything or all of it. Their kids and grandkids are having a blast enjoying past family history that they knew nothing about. Having decluttered the hardest project first, the rest of the house seems less overwhelming. I just need to coral the energy to get started again.
    I’m going to try the 12-12-12 rule for my closet and dresser. Remember: Decluttering is not a race, it is a steady move forward. Unless you’re moving! 🙂

  5. I definitely love setting a boundary like the 12/12/12 , it makes it all so much more manageable and innocuous to the mind.

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