As the days grow longer and flowers bloom in a riot of colors, there’s an undeniable feeling of new beginnings in the air. But alongside the fresh scents of spring comes that familiar, nagging sight: the closet, the drawer, the shelf — all quietly piling up with the remnants of past seasons. And you know it’s time for action.
Enter the “Keep, Toss, or What the Heck Is This?” 7-Day Spring Cleaning Challenge, where we turn the usual spring cleaning frenzy into a fun and manageable task, one small space at a time. This isn’t about creating a Pinterest-perfect home; it’s about creating peace of mind, feeling lighter, and yes — having a little fun along the way.
How It Works: The Three-Question Method
Each day of the challenge, you’ll tackle a specific area in your home and make a decision about what to keep, toss, or question. It’s a simple framework that will leave you with a sense of accomplishment — and a cleaner, more intentional living space.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Keep: If you love it, use it, or need it, it stays. Simple as that.
- Toss: If it’s broken, outdated, or you never use it, it’s time to say goodbye.
- What the Heck Is This?: If you can’t name it or remember why you have it, out it goes.
The beauty of this challenge is that you can repeat it as often as needed — monthly, seasonally, or every time your junk drawer overflows.
Your 7-Day Decluttering Journey
Each day, you’ll focus on just one space, making it easy to maintain momentum without feeling overwhelmed. Here’s your day-by-day guide to a cleaner, lighter home:
DAY 1: The “One Drawer Wonder”
Start with something manageable. Pick any drawer in your home — the kitchen drawer that has every random tool imaginable, the bathroom drawer with expired lip balms, or the infamous junk drawer that nobody talks about.
Mini Challenge: Find 3 items you haven’t used in over a year and toss or donate them. It’s a small action with a big payoff!
DAY 2: The Closet Countdown
Your closet is calling for a spring refresh! Open the door and choose 7 items of clothing. Hold each piece and ask: “Do I love this? Does it fit? Would I buy this again?”
Mini Challenge: Let go of 2 items that you’ve been holding onto for no reason other than “just in case.” Be ruthless!
DAY 3: Bathroom Bottleneck
Bathrooms are notorious for collecting products — old shampoos, expired medications, and half-used hotel toiletries that never seem to leave.
Mini Challenge: Toss 5 items and create one clean, calming shelf with only what you actually use daily.
DAY 4: Kitchen Clear-Out
The kitchen — where outdated spices, rogue Tupperware lids, and mystery gadgets hide. Open a cupboard or pantry and focus on getting rid of those kitchen items that have overstayed their welcome.
Mini Challenge: Toss or donate 10 items that no longer serve you (those mismatched lids included).
DAY 5: Paper Pile Patrol
If you’re like most people, your paper pile is probably as big as your to-do list. Mail, receipts, instructions, coupons — it all adds up. Time to tackle it.
Mini Challenge: Recycle 10 pieces of paper and organize what’s left into two neat categories: Action and Archive. This simple step will give you a clear mind and a tidy space.
DAY 6: Sentimental Saturday
It’s time for a little heart-to-heart with those items that carry sentimental value. Old cards, your child’s art projects, or grandma’s china — it’s hard to part with things that carry memories.
Mini Challenge: Choose 3 sentimental items and decide if you can let go of one. Honor it by taking a photo or writing a short journal entry about it before saying goodbye.
DAY 7: Celebration + Reset
Look at all you’ve accomplished! Take a moment to appreciate the difference in your space — and your spirit. A decluttered space feels like a weight has been lifted, doesn’t it?
Mini Challenge: Write down one area you’ll tackle next week and give yourself a reward — whether that’s a walk, a bubble bath, or 10 guilt-free minutes with your favorite book.
Why This Challenge Works
You don’t have to tackle your entire home in a day or a weekend. Small, consistent steps are the secret to long-term success. By focusing on one small task at a time, you’ll find yourself naturally building momentum and feeling more energized with each decluttered space.
And when you repeat this challenge weekly or monthly, even if just for a short while, you’ll notice how much lighter and freer you feel. Because let’s face it: less clutter means more you. More time. More space. More clarity.
