I help people declutter and organize their spaces all the time. It’s kind of my thing.

I didn’t think I needed to do much more in my own home–after all, everything has a place to live. That’s enough, right? Wrong.

Trying the 90-90 rule reminded me that decluttering is an ongoing journey. Stuff is always coming in and out of our homes, whether we notice it or not, and we need to declutter regularly.

So, last weekend, I decluttered 113 items from my bedroom closet with the 90-90 rule. It’s wild.

That’s 113 pieces I hadn’t worn, didn’t need, and honestly, didn’t even remember I had. All gone, and suddenly, my organized space feels even lighter and so much better. Here’s what I learned trying the 90-90 rule and why I’ll keep doing it.

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What Is the 90-90 Rule?

The Minimalists first introduced the 90-90 rule as part of their philosophy to simplify life and focus on what truly matters. This simple and effective method helps you decide what to keep and let go of.

The rule emphasizes practicality and intentionality, encouraging you to evaluate your belongings based on how they fit into your life. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Ask yourself two questions for each item:

Have I used this in the last 90 days?
Will I use this in the next 90 days?

Step 2: Make a decision:

If the answer is no to both questions, it’s time to part ways with that item. Donate, sell, or recycle it.
If the answer is yes to either question, it earns a spot back in your space.

The beauty of this challenge is its simplicity. It’s designed to help you focus on what’s practical and valuable in your life right now, cutting through the guilt and “what ifs” that often make decluttering difficult.

My 90-90 Rule Decluttering Challenge

The first step in my 90-90 declutter challenge was setting clear guidelines for myself. I wanted to avoid feeling guilty about keeping certain things, so I adjusted the original time frame.

Instead of just focusing on the last 90 days and the next 90 days, I expanded my scope to the last year. This way, I could account for all seasons and ensure I wasn’t prematurely parting with items I might actually need later.

I also gave myself permission to let go of things I hadn’t worn, even if they were “perfectly good” or *might* come in handy one day. If I needed something similar in the future, I reminded myself that I could always buy it again. This small mindset shift made the process so much easier.

Unlike my usual organizing method, I didn’t pull everything out of my closet in one chaotic sweep. Instead, I tackled it step by step. First, I went through all of the clothes on hangers one by one, asking myself the 90-90 questions:

Did I wear this in the last year?
Will I wear this in the next 90 days?

If the answer was “no” to both, the item went straight into a donation bag.

Next, I moved on to my drawers. I got rid of socks without matches, styles I never wore, and undergarments that no longer fit or weren’t comfortable. I let go of robes, belts, hats, and coats if they didn’t satisfy the rule.

By the time I was done, I had a surprising number of items ready to donate—and my closet and drawers felt lighter and more functional:

7 New Shirts
36 Worn Shirts
10 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of slacks
2 belts
1 robe
5 pairs of yoga pants
6 Dresses
16 socks without matches
5 pajamas
12 undergarments
7 pairs of shoes
3 hats
1 coat

So that’s it—two hours, 113 items, and a much happier closet. It’s definitely worth trying.

Three Things I Learned

I loved this challenge way more than I expected. It was easier than I thought it would be, and now that I have more space in my closet, getting dressed in the morning is quicker and less stressful. Everything is easier to find, and I no longer waste time sifting through clothes I’ll never wear.

This challenge also taught me some surprising lessons:

Quality over quantity is key: I realized I value having a smaller wardrobe with pieces I truly love and wear often rather than being overwhelmed by sheer volume. Like Mark Zuckerberg’s iconic approach of wearing the same style outfit every day, I’ve started to appreciate the simplicity of owning fewer, better-quality items. I’m not a fan of fast fashion and would rather invest in timeless pieces than have more for the sake of it. Who knows? A capsule wardrobe might be in my future.
I really wear the same things over and over: The favorites that I reach for on repeat became clear, and I embraced that instead of feeling guilty about it. I have a certain look, and I don’t care what people think. I know what I like, and I can let go of the rest.
It’s okay to keep a few sentimental or special items: There are some things I just like to have, and that’s okay. The trick is not keeping everything. A few key pieces that make me happy or feel confident are worth holding onto.
Decluttering is an ongoing journey: This experience showed me that even when everything looks neat and organized, there’s always room to reevaluate—and that’s okay. Even though everything in my closet had its place, I was still surprised by just how much I had accumulated over time. Every small step toward simplicity makes a difference.

So, What Comes Next?

The truth is, life doesn’t stop bringing stuff into our homes. New clothes, gifts, impulse buys—they sneak in little by little, even when we try to stay intentional.

Decluttering isn’t a one-and-done deal—it’s an ongoing process. The 90-90 rule can be a great challenge to revisit periodically, especially as new items inevitably make their way into your home.

A good rule of thumb is reassessing your closet every six months or with each changing season. This allows you to evaluate your wardrobe based on what you actually wear throughout the year. If you’re feeling ambitious or notice clutter piling up faster than expected, you can even do it quarterly.

The beauty of the 90-90 challenge is that it’s quick and practical. You don’t have to turn your closet upside down. A simple check-in can keep things manageable.

The 90-90 rule is about continuously curating what you own to match the life you want to live. As for me, I plan to make it a seasonal habit. It’s an easy way to stay on top of clutter and ensure my wardrobe only holds items I truly love and use.

Theresa Bedford

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Theresa Bedford is a lifestyle and relationship writer with a passion for self-development and to live life to the fullest. She writes about relationships, mindfulness, and simple living. Her work has been seen on the AP newswire, MSN, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and more.