Decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spare. But the good news is you don’t need hours or even an entire day to make noticeable progress around your space.

You can tackle small clutter problems in just 15 minutes or less, making it easier to keep your home or workspace organized without stress. Taking quick, focused actions can add up and create a calmer environment before you know it.

Duplicate measuring cups

You probably have more measuring cups than you actually use. Grab all of them and set aside any duplicates or mismatched pieces.

Keeping just one reliable set helps save space and makes cooking less confusing. You can donate or recycle the extras to lighten your kitchen clutter quickly.

This simple step takes only a few minutes but makes a noticeable difference. For more quick decluttering tips, check out ideas on letting go of duplicates like these.

Unused small kitchen appliances

You probably have small kitchen appliances sitting around that you rarely use. Things like waffle makers, slow cookers, or bread machines can take up valuable space.

If an appliance hasn’t been touched in months, it’s a good candidate for decluttering. Clearing these out will free up counter and cabinet space, making your kitchen feel less crowded.

Focus on those appliances that don’t serve your daily cooking habits or have duplicates. For a quick guide, check out tips on decluttering small appliances here.

Cluttered kitchen countertops

Your kitchen countertops often collect random stuff fast. Spend just 15 minutes putting away small appliances you don’t use daily. Toss expired coupons or outdated papers to clear space quickly.

Having a clutter-free counter makes cooking and cleaning easier. To make this a habit, check tips on how to declutter kitchen counters daily.

Junk drawer with random receipts

Start by emptying your entire junk drawer onto the counter. Sort through the random receipts and toss any that are old or irrelevant.

Wipe down the drawer before putting back only the essentials. Group similar items to keep things tidy and easy to find. This quick step can make your drawer feel less chaotic fast.

For more tips, check out this guide on junk drawer decluttering.

Wrinkled clothes you never wear

If you have clothes that are always wrinkled and rarely worn, it’s time to let them go. Keeping these just takes up space and adds clutter.

You can quickly sort through and decide if they’re worth fixing or if donation is better. This small step can refresh your wardrobe and save time when getting dressed.

For quick tips on managing clothes you don’t wear, check out this decluttering advice.

Old board games missing pieces

You probably have some board games sitting around with missing pieces. These can take up space and rarely get played.

If the missing parts make the game unusable, it’s okay to let it go. Donating or recycling them frees room for things you actually use.

Taking just a few minutes, you can sort through and toss those incomplete games. It’s a simple way to declutter without much effort.

Toys kids don’t play with

You probably have toys hidden away that your kids haven’t touched in months. These are easy to spot when you see dusty or broken pieces.

Sorting through these toys can be quick. Just gather them and decide if they can be donated or recycled.

Leaving a small, manageable number of toys out helps your child easily find what they want to play with. This also makes tidying up faster for both of you. For more ideas, check out this guide on decluttering toys.

Expired food in the fridge

Start by checking your fridge for any expired items. Toss out things like old dairy, condiments, or leftovers that have been sitting too long.

This quick task frees up space and helps keep your fridge clean. It only takes a few minutes, making it one of the easiest things to declutter in under 15 minutes. For more ideas on quick decluttering, see tips on organizing your fridge.

Unworn shoes by the door

You probably have shoes by the door that you never wear. Take a quick look and decide which ones are damaged or just collecting dust.

Bag up the shoes you don’t plan to keep and put them by the front door to donate or recycle. This simple step keeps your entryway cleaner and frees up space fast.

Check if any need repairs before deciding to toss or donate them.

Messy desktop icons

You can clear clutter fast by removing unnecessary icons from your desktop. It makes your screen look cleaner and helps you find what you need quicker.

Try hiding icons temporarily by right-clicking and selecting “Show Desktop Icons.” Then, organize files into folders so your desktop stays tidy without losing anything important.

Keeping a simple desktop reduces distractions and gives you a smoother start to your workday. Check out tips on how to organize desktop icons for more ideas.

Unsorted mail pile

You probably have a stack of mail that’s been sitting around for too long. Grab that pile and quickly sort it into categories like bills, junk, and important documents.

Toss the junk mail right away to clear up space. Then, file or deal with the rest so it doesn’t build up again. This task takes just a few minutes and feels great once done.

For more tips on this, see how to handle unsorted mail efficiently here.

Overstuffed purse or handbag

Your purse can quickly become a catch-all for things you don’t need daily. Empty it out and sort through the contents.

Remove trash, old receipts, and expired items first. Then put back just the essentials like your wallet, keys, and phone.

This quick clean helps you find what you need faster and stops your bag from feeling heavy and cluttered. You can declutter your purse in about 15 minutes or less. For tips, check out how to declutter your purse in 15 minutes.

Expired makeup and skincare

Take a quick look through your makeup bag for anything past its expiration date. Old makeup can cause irritation or infections, so it’s best to toss it.

Skincare products like creams and lotions can lose effectiveness once expired. Spend a few minutes checking labels and clearing out anything that’s outdated to keep your routine fresh and safe.

This simple step can save you space and help avoid skin issues.

Worn-out socks with holes

You probably have socks with holes hiding in your drawer. It’s time to pull those out and decide what to keep.

If they’re beyond repair, toss them. For socks with small holes, you might want to mend or repurpose them.

Getting rid of worn-out socks is a quick win when you want to declutter fast How To Declutter Socks.

Unused blankets and pillows

You probably have blankets and pillows that haven’t been touched in months. Grab those extras and see if any are worn out or no longer needed.

If you find some you don’t use, consider donating or recycling them. This quick step frees up space and keeps your linen closet more manageable.

For tips on decluttering linen, check out this guide on towels, blankets, and sheets.