Ever looked around your home and felt overwhelmed by stuff you don’t use, don’t love, or even remember owning? You’re not alone. Most people carry around years of accumulated clutter without realizing how much mental space it takes up. The rule of 5 decluttering is a simple, no-pressure method designed to help you start small, stay consistent, and actually keep your space clear - without burning out.
What Exactly Is the Rule of 5 Decluttering?
The rule of 5 decluttering says: every day, remove five things from your home that you no longer need or want. That’s it. No grand cleaning marathons. No guilt trips. Just five items, daily. It’s not about perfection - it’s about progress. You don’t need to sort through your entire closet in one day. You don’t need to donate a whole box. Just five things.
This method was popularized by minimalist organizers in Australia and North America around 2020 as a response to the burnout many felt after watching extreme decluttering videos. People tried to empty entire rooms in a weekend and ended up feeling worse. The rule of 5 flips the script: make it so easy, you can’t say no.
Why Five? Why Not Ten or One?
Five is the sweet spot. Too few, and you won’t notice a difference. Too many, and it feels like a chore. Five items is small enough to fit into five minutes - maybe while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew, or right before you check your phone at night.
Think about it: five socks you never wear. Five old magazines from 2018. Five plastic containers without lids. Five broken chargers. Five toys your kids outgrew last year. These aren’t big decisions. They’re just things taking up space.
Studies on habit formation show that tiny, daily actions are far more sustainable than big, sporadic efforts. A 2023 University of Sydney study tracked 200 households using the rule of 5 for six months. Those who stuck with it reduced their clutter by an average of 42% - without ever doing a "big clean." The key? Consistency.
How to Actually Do It - Step by Step
Here’s how to make the rule of 5 work in real life:
- Pick your spot. Start where you see clutter most - the kitchen drawer, the hallway shelf, the side table. Don’t start with the attic. Too overwhelming.
- Set a timer for five minutes. Use your phone. No distractions.
- Grab five things. Look for items that are broken, unused, duplicated, or don’t bring you joy. If you haven’t touched it in 12 months, it’s a candidate.
- Put them in a box. One box for donations, one for recycling, one for trash. Label them as you go.
- Do it again tomorrow. Same spot, or switch. Keep going.
You don’t need to sort, clean, or organize after you take things out. Just remove. The organizing comes later - when you have less to deal with.
What Counts as an Item?
Some people get stuck wondering if a single sock counts. Yes. A single pen? Yes. A stack of five greeting cards? That’s five items. A set of mismatched mugs? Each one counts separately.
Don’t overthink it. If it’s a physical object in your home and you’re not using it, it’s fair game. Here are common examples:
- Old receipts or bills you’ve already paid
- Duplicate kitchen tools (yes, you only need one can opener)
- Broken electronics or chargers
- Unused beauty products past their expiry
- Books you’ll never read again
- Clothes that don’t fit or make you feel bad
- Plastic containers without lids
- Freebies you never wanted (promotional pens, hotel soaps, event swag)
One woman in Melbourne told me she cleared 147 items in 30 days using this method - mostly from her bathroom cabinet. She didn’t even realize how many expired lotions and sample sizes she had.
What Happens When You Don’t Feel Like Doing It?
Some days, you’ll forget. Some days, you’ll be tired. Some days, you’ll think, "I’ll do it tomorrow." That’s okay. The rule doesn’t punish you. It just invites you back.
If you miss a day, don’t try to make up for it by doing ten the next day. That defeats the purpose. Just go back to five. The power is in the rhythm, not the volume.
Try linking it to something you already do: right after brushing your teeth, before checking social media, while waiting for the kettle to boil. Make it part of your routine - not another task on your list.
What to Do With the Five Things
Once you’ve collected five items, what happens next? Here’s the simplest system:
- Donate: Clothes, books, toys, and working electronics go to local charities. In Sydney, organizations like The Salvation Army and Vinnies accept most household items.
- Recycle: Plastic containers, broken electronics, old batteries - check your local council’s recycling guide. Sydney has drop-off points for e-waste at most libraries.
- Trash: Moldy items, stained linens, broken glass - just throw them away. No guilt.
Don’t spend time cleaning or repairing things. If it’s broken, it’s trash. If it’s stained, it’s trash. If you’re holding onto it "just in case," it’s clutter.
What Changes When You Stick With It?
After a week, you’ll start noticing space. After a month, you’ll notice calm. After three months, you’ll notice you’re not buying as much.
People who follow the rule of 5 for 90 days report:
- Less stress when guests come over
- More time finding what they need
- Reduced impulse buying
- Better sleep because their bedroom feels lighter
- More appreciation for the things they actually use
One father in Bondi told me he started the rule of 5 to clear space for his toddler’s toys. Three months later, he had cleared enough room to turn a cluttered corner into a reading nook - for himself.
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Most people fail not because they’re lazy - but because they misunderstand the rule.
- Mistake: Trying to sort everything before removing. Solution: Remove first. Sort later.
- Mistake: Keeping things "for sentimental reasons." Solution: Take a photo. Keep one item. Let go of the rest.
- Mistake: Waiting for the "perfect day." Solution: Do it while you’re waiting for the microwave.
- Mistake: Thinking you have to be minimalist. Solution: You don’t. You just need less stuff that doesn’t serve you.
The goal isn’t to live in an empty white room. The goal is to live in a space where everything you keep feels intentional.
Is This Just Another Trend?
No. The rule of 5 works because it’s built on psychology, not Instagram aesthetics. It’s based on the concept of "tiny habits" - a method proven by Stanford researcher Dr. B.J. Fogg. Small actions, repeated daily, create lasting change.
Unlike extreme decluttering methods that demand emotional labor, the rule of 5 asks you to act, not feel. You don’t have to love your stuff. You just have to decide: does this belong here? If not, take it out.
It’s not about becoming a minimalist. It’s about becoming more at home in your own space.
Ready to Start?
Today, right now, look around you. Find five things you can let go of. One sock. One old receipt. One broken pen. One unused candle. One magazine you’ll never read again.
Put them in a bag. Set them by the door. Do it tomorrow again. And the day after that.
You don’t need motivation. You don’t need a plan. You just need five minutes - and the willingness to let go, one small thing at a time.
Can I do the rule of 5 decluttering with my family?
Absolutely. Make it a team effort. Each person picks five items from their own space. Kids can pick toys they don’t play with anymore. Partners can clear out duplicate tools or old clothes. It’s not about who does more - it’s about everyone contributing to a calmer home.
What if I keep finding the same items over and over?
That’s a sign you’re holding onto things out of habit, not need. If you keep pulling out the same five coffee mugs or socks, ask yourself why. Are you afraid you’ll need them? Do they remind you of someone? Sometimes, the answer isn’t about the object - it’s about what you’re avoiding. Letting go becomes easier when you acknowledge the emotion behind it.
Do I need special bins or labels?
No. A cardboard box, a laundry basket, or even a grocery bag works fine. Labels are helpful but not required. The goal is to remove items, not organize them perfectly. You can sort later - or not at all. Just get them out of your space.
How long until I see results?
In two weeks, you’ll notice your surfaces feel less crowded. In a month, you’ll stop feeling guilty about clutter. In three months, you’ll notice you’re not buying as much - because your space already feels full of what you need. The biggest change isn’t physical - it’s mental. You start breathing easier.
Can I use this for digital clutter too?
Yes - and it works even better. Delete five old photos. Unsubscribe from five email lists. Delete five unused apps. Clear five unread messages. Digital clutter weighs just as much on your mind. The rule of 5 applies anywhere you feel overwhelmed.
