Declutter These 153 Items Before Black Friday

The holiday sales are coming, and with them, the temptation to bring more stuff into our homes. But here’s a thought: what if you cleared some space first and maybe wanted less stuff later.

A quick, progressive decluttering challenge—one that builds up day by day—could be the perfect way to make room before the deals hit. Think of it as prepping your home and mind for the holiday season. 

Starting with just one item on day one, two on day two, and so on, you’ll gradually lighten your load without feeling overwhelmed. By Black Friday, you’ll have cleared over 150 items. 

That’s space for anything new you might bring in, a fresh start for the season, and an easy way to keep your home feeling organized, no matter how many shopping bags you carry in (or not). Let’s go.

Day 1: The Garage – Start Big With One Unused Item

The garage is often a storage area for things we think we’ll use someday but never actually need.

Start with one large item—an old bike, broken tool, or unused sports gear. By removing this one big item, you’ll notice an instant difference. 

This first step is easy and satisfying, creating a more functional space in the garage. Plus, getting rid of one big piece helps set a positive tone for the days ahead. 

Day 2: Decorative Items – Let Go of Two Decorations or Trinkets

Decor items can bring warmth, but too many create clutter. Letting go of just two items you don’t love simplifies your space. It also means less dusting and easier upkeep. 

You’ll keep only pieces that bring joy, creating a calm, intentional look. A streamlined decor brings peace, making your home welcoming. 

Day 3: Kitchen Tools – Clear out Three Unused Gadgets

Kitchen drawers tend to collect single-use gadgets and forgotten tools. Removing three of these items instantly makes your kitchen more accessible. 

Many gadgets seemed useful once but haven’t been touched in months. Letting go of them reduces frustration and keeps only the essentials within reach. 

Day 4: Coffee Cups – Remove Four Extras You Don’t Use

Mugs can quickly pile up. We often keep too many, thinking we’ll use them all, but usually stick to a few favorites. 

Clear out four extra or mismatched cups to free up space. This small action makes your kitchen feel tidier and gives you easier access to the cups you love. 

Decluttering mugs might seem minor, but it simplifies your morning routine and reduces clutter. Plus, those extra mugs could be donated, bringing joy to someone else.

Day 5: Car – Toss Five Unneeded Items

Cars often collect clutter, from coffee cups to crumpled receipts. Removing five items gives you a fresher, more organized space.

A decluttered car means less stress and more comfort on the road. It also creates space for holiday shopping or trips. This small effort keeps essentials handy, making every drive smoother. Enjoy the clarity of a clean car.

Day 6: Sock Drawer – Get Rid of Six Unmatched Socks

The sock drawer fills up fast with mismatched or holey socks. Letting go of six of these forgotten items creates instant space. It makes it easier to find a matching pair, saving time and frustration. 

A tidy sock drawer adds calm to your morning routine. No more digging around for pairs. Plus, clearing out this space allows room for any new pairs you might get for the holidays.

Day 7: Bookcase – Donate Seven Books You Won’t Read Again

Bookcases often overflow with books we no longer read. By donating seven books, you free up space for new reads or decorative pieces. 

A less cluttered shelf looks more inviting and makes it easy to find the books you love. It’s also a reminder to keep only what brings joy or purpose. 

These books can bring joy to others, too, when donated. And if you get new books as gifts, you’ll have space to enjoy them.

Day 8: Pantry – Toss Eight Expired or Unwanted Items

Pantries can hide expired items or foods we never use. Tossing eight of these clears valuable space for holiday ingredients. 

An organized pantry also makes meal prep easier and saves you from accidental duplicates. Getting rid of expired items makes your pantry fresh and safe. This makes a big difference, especially with holiday cooking ahead.

Day 9: Office Supplies – Declutter Nine Unused Items

Home offices tend to collect unused supplies. From dried-out pens to empty notebooks, these extras pile up fast.

Declutter nine items to make your workspace cleaner and more productive. A tidy desk helps focus and brings a sense of calm. It also means you’ll have what you need right at hand. 

Day 10: Desk or Tabletop – Clear away Ten Papers or Random Items

Countertops and desks are hotspots for clutter. Removing just ten items instantly opens up space and makes the area feel clean. 

Clear papers, mail, or random odds and ends for a fresh look. A clutter-free surface feels inviting and calm. 

Plus, when surfaces are clear, cleaning up is quick and easy. You’ll enjoy the new simplicity and order of your desk or tabletop.

Day 11: Closet – Remove Eleven Pieces of Clothing You Don’t Wear

Closets fill up with clothes we rarely use or that no longer fit. Start with stuff you haven’t worn in the last 90 to 180 days. Removing eleven items opens up space and makes choosing outfits easier. 

A less cluttered closet saves time and stress each day. Donating these clothes can also help someone else. Clearing space also means you’ll have room for any holiday wardrobe additions. An organized closet is a gift to yourself.

Day 5: Junk Drawer – Eliminate Twelve Random Papers or Items

Everyone has a junk drawer full of random things, from receipts to old pens. By tossing twelve items, you’ll open up space for the essentials, like scissors or tape. This drawer becomes far more functional when it’s not stuffed with unneeded bits and pieces. 

It’s a quick and satisfying task that makes your home feel more organized. You’ll also spend less time searching for items when you need them. So go ahead and turn a cluttered drawer into a useful one.

Day 13: Phone or Tablet – Delete Thirteen Unused Apps

Digital clutter can be as distracting as physical clutter. Deleting thirteen unused apps frees up space and makes your device easier to navigate. 

This simple digital clean-up reduces distractions and helps you find what you need. With fewer apps, your device may even run faster. A clear, organized home screen adds calm to your digital life and so much more.

Day 14: Bathroom Essentials – Toss Fourteen Unused and Expired Items

Bathrooms often hide expired or half-used products. 

Tossing just two expired items, like old shampoo bottles or medication, quickly clears some space. It also improves safety, as expired products can be harmful. 

With fewer items, your bathroom feels fresher and more organized. Plus, you’ll spend less time searching through cluttered shelves. You’ll create a cleaner, more functional space for everyday use.

Day 15: Makeup and Beauty Products – Toss Fifteen Unused Products

Beauty products pile up quickly, from samples to barely-used items. Tossing fifteen of these clears space and helps you focus on favorites. 

This reduces decision time and keeps your routine simple. With fewer items, the bathroom feels fresher and tidier. Plus, you’ll have room for any new products or gift sets you receive. A simplified beauty area adds ease to daily life for sure.

Day 16: Mail and Papers – Recycle Sixteen Old Papers

Mail, receipts, and documents build up fast. Recycling sixteen of these creates immediate space and clears mental clutter too. 

Fewer papers mean a cleaner, tidier home and easier access to what’s important. Keep only the essentials, and you’ll spend less time searching for things. A clean desk or surface brings calm and feel ready for the holidays.

Day 17: Towels and Linens – Clear out Seventeen Worn or Unneeded Items

Linen closets can overflow with old towels, unused sheets, and worn blankets. Clearing out seventeen items opens space for fresh linens. A tidy linen closet makes it easy to find what you need, especially if guests visit. Fewer items make laundry simpler too. Plus, an organized linen closet feels luxurious, adding comfort to your home.

What to Do When You Don’t Have Enough Items for the Day

If you find yourself short on items for a particular day, don’t worry! This challenge is flexible, so you can mix and match categories to fit your life. 

For example, if you only have a few unused items in the bathroom, you can add in a few things from the junk drawer or kitchen cabinets to reach your goal. The idea is to let go of a specific number of items each day, not to limit yourself to one area if it doesn’t apply. 

You might also find that some categories, like the pantry or closet, have more items than needed for one day—feel free to pull extra items from those areas. 

Customize the challenge based on your spaces and lifestyle. Mixing categories keeps things interesting and allows you to make progress without feeling restricted. The goal is a lighter, clutter-free home by the end of the 17 days, so adapt the process to suit your needs!