Serious decluttering requires the right tools. If you’re going in for a deep declutter, you’ll want a list of supplies to have on hand. Here is a checklist of all the things you’ll need before you start. You can get a printable version of the Best Declutter Supply List in the Declutter Toolkit:
Declutter supply #1: The Apron Arsenal
The first thing you’ll need is a kitchen apron with big pockets. I can hear you now, “What?!—An apron? —Get real!”
I know—but hear me out. An apron helps keep your clothes clean. The big pockets are handy for stashing those tiny items you find like money, screws, and unidentified parts.
An apron can also help with mindset. It’s like a “uniform,” so when you have it on, it tells you that you’re on the job and need to stay focused.
Besides stashing little, found objects, apron pockets are also handy for holding these essential tools:
- permanent marker (for marking boxes)
- pocket knife (handy for opening boxes and plenty of other stuff)
- dust cloth (decluttering is surprisingly grubby)
- cell phone (for checklists, notes about things, scheduling tasks, music!)
- pen and a pad of sticky notes (for temporary labels)
Declutter Supply #2: The Toolbox
Besides the supplies in the apron pockets, it’s handy to have a small box with a few other frequently-needed things. Ideally, it would be a small portable file box so you can stash some hanging file folders and a clipboard. But you can use whatever you have. In here, put the following:
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- label maker (seriously, you need one of these!)
- file folders (temporary paper holders/sorters)
- scissors
- tape (for keeping small extra parts attached to the main item)
- clipboard (with your declutter plan and Declutter Decision Maker)
- paper clips (big ones)
- a few baggies (to put little items in or to keep parts together)
If you are sorting a lot of papers, you might also want these in your box:
- stapler
- file folder labels
- 3-hole punch
Declutter Supply #3: Other Essentials
Here are a few other things you’ll want to have nearby:
- a timer (you can use your watch, cell phone, the oven timer—whatever!)
- dust buster or vacuum cleaner (for banishing crud and dust bunnies)
- water bottle
- snacks (chocolate, anyone?)
- motivational music!
Declutter Supply #4: Containers, Containers, Containers
If you’re working on a big area you’ll need the following containers on hand:
- Recycle/trash bins: for the obvious. Note: it’s easier to use trash bags if you have a trash can.
- Laundry basket: ideal for items that belong somewhere else (handles make carrying easier)
- Boxes or bins: this is where you put “homeless” items and other things you just can’t deal with at the moment (these will become “project” bins because you will eventually need to do something with this stuff)
- More boxes or trash bags: for stuff you want to donate or sell. Boxes (or trash bags) that you don’t need back work best.
Declutter Supply #5: Printable Declutter Supply List + Declutter Decision Maker
You can get both of these for free when you sign up for my newsletter.
There you have it! Next time you are working on a big decluttering project, use this Declutter Supply List as a checklist to gather up your supplies before you start. And don’t forget the apron!
This post is really going to help me!!! I have 40 years of stuff! When my husband’s father and mother passed, I was left with a lot of their stuff. Then a favorite aunt with no children passed, I have her stuff. Of course I also have my two grown children’s memories and now grandkids! I have given my kids a lot of their stuff but am saving my grandchildren’s until they get older. I have picture albums and loose pictures in about 5 boxes and stashed in various places. I retired about 6 months ago and decluttering is now my new hobby. It is going to be a work in progress for some time to come. I have found it is an emotional project. I am printing you lists. I think they will prove invaluable.
Wow! Sounds like you have your work cut out for you with all the things you have inherited. I do hope the list will prove helpful. Sometimes it’s good to just know where to start.
A lot of great tips and for the whole house too. I am in the process of decluttering and reorganizing my whole house ( 2 levels, 3000 square feet). I am disabled now and in a wheelchair full time. I hired an assistant to help me with a lot of the large things but I still can do a lot of the simpler things by myself during the week (husband will bring me boxes). We moved 350 miles away from our kids/grandkids and friends to a rural quiet area where my husband was raised and grew up. I was a fanatical holiday and seasonal decorator and I mean every single room got decorated in some manner. I had 31 storage totes so I downsized to 12 totes. I limited areas for decoration so every month gets decorations for same areas so they are very easy to switch and put away. Areas that I ALLOW myself to decorate are front and side entrance doors, mantel, entry way sofa table and kitchen (tablecloth, runner, towels, potholders, and cute or comical salt and pepper shakers and switching wall decorations that are already hanging there) Purchased from Amazon, Zulilly, and Collections Etc. For wrapping paper I bought a duffle bag that was large and tall. I store all of my wrapping paper, gift labels and ribbon in it. After Christmas I’ll hit up a dollar store and load up on what I’ll need for the whole new year. Cheap and done (dollar stores}! So I never have to run around at the last minute. I also buy extras for weddings and baby showers that may come up! Birthdays, I have a lot of them. I bought a 3 ring binder and bought monthly dividers. In between those I put organizational pages that have pockets in the bottom half. On the bottom part I write all the birthdays for that month. I go to a discount card shop and buy all the cards that I will need for the upcoming year. I mail them all at the first of each month. Whether early or on time they will all get their cards (with gift cards inside). We have 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, I made a cleaning baskets for every bathroom, fill it with needed cleaning products and store it under the sink. Hygienic or not, since all my bathrooms have plastic trashcans, I use them for the “mop buckets” for each of their rooms. Not only do the floors get clean but all the trash cans too. My best idea was to choose a color for each bath and bought towels, linens, shower curtain, window curtain (if a window is in that bathroom) to match. When towels are washed we can tell exactly what bath they belong in. No excuses what so ever! We have 4 coat closets on the main floor so I decided to consolidate them and donate some to “Purple Heart” One of the “extra” closets, which we seldom used and is adjacent to the kitchen, I decided to turn into a pantry, I ordered two storage shelf units from Amazon that were only two feet wide which left an area which was open for taller items. I also bought 2 sets of 6 large plastic, sturdy baskets which beautifully fit on the top shelves (Amazon). All kitchen cabinets have been cleaned and items put in clear plastic storage bins that are all labeled too (Amazon, mDesign,and Zulilly). My sympathies are sent to apologize for the lengthy email but I am getting really charged (from my hospital like bed!) I just loved your comprehensive article and I was happy to find most of the supplies I needed through Amazon and mDesign. A one stop shop! -Mertie
Wow! Sounds like you are doing an amazing job getting your new home organized and beautiful. Thanks for all the tips you shared–what a great help!
Very interesting read. I’m also in a wheelchair since 2022. Things are more difficult to organize , liked your ideas.