Free Printable Winter Decluttering Checklist

Wondering what to declutter this winter to keep your home organized all year long? These winter decluttering tips plus a free printable checklist will keep your home tidy– from closets to your garage and every space in between.

Ready to declutter your entire home? Check out this popular KonMari Decluttering Checklist for a deep, whole-home decluttering spree that might just change your life.

Whether you’re motivated by a burst of post-holiday energy, have some time off at the beginning of the new year, or are stuck at home due to snow or other reasons beyond your control (ugh), there’s a good chance you’re in the mood to declutter.

I’m not sure about you, but after the holidays my home feels ready to burst so it’s the perfect time to clean out and let your clutter go. Here’s how to declutter in winter, complete with a free printable winter decluttering checklist!

What to Declutter in Winter

As the winter chill sets in, it’s the perfect time to cozy up and declutter your space for a fresh start. There’s no better time than the present to declutter these seasonal areas:

• Holiday and Christmas Decorations: Gently pack away the festive decor that brought joy during the holidays, storing it carefully for next year’s celebrations. Get rid of anything that is broken, you won’t use, or that you don’t love.
• Wrapping Paper: Bid farewell to torn and crinkled wrapping paper, clearing the space for a fresh and organized start. Also, get rid of those scrap pieces you hoped would fit smaller gifts but actually don’t.
• Gifts: It can be hard to declutter items that were gifted to you, but if you don’t love them and they don’t fit your life, then it’s time to let them go guilt-free. Recognize that letting go allows these items to find new homes where they can bring joy and serve their purpose more effectively. As we say around here, ‘bless and release!’
• Winter Sports Equipment: Assess and make room for functional gear, letting go of items that have hibernated in storage for too long or that don’t fit your current lifestyle.
• Winter Tools: Discard broken shovels and outdated winter tools to pave the way for a more efficient and organized winter maintenance routine.
• Blankets: Sift through your collection and keep only those that spark warmth and comfort. Shelters usually welcome blanket donations, so the ones you let go will be appreciated.
• Winter Outerwear and Clothing: Review your winter wardrobe, donating or discarding items that no longer serve their purpose, and make space for new additions that align with your evolving style. Embrace the simplicity of a decluttered winter wardrobe where each item has its place.

Then, tackle these categories that are perfect for weeding out a few times a year (but most especially after the holidays):

• Outgrown Toys and Board Games: Winter break often brings families together, and what better way to make room for new memories than by decluttering outgrown toys and board games? Clearing the space not only fosters a sense of order but also ensures that the play areas are ready for the joy and laughter of the season.
• Expired Pantry and Food Items: As you prepare for hearty winter meals, take a moment to declutter your pantry. Discarding expired or unused food items not only creates space for new culinary adventures but also ensures that your pantry is stocked with fresh and wholesome ingredients.
• Magazines and Catalogs: Curling up with a good book is a winter tradition, but let’s make room for the new by decluttering old magazines and catalogs. Streamlining your reading material not only reduces visual clutter but also opens up mental space for new ideas and inspirations.
• Expired/Unused Makeup and Personal Care Products: Winter is the perfect time for a self-care reset. Discard expired or unused makeup and personal care products to create a streamlined beauty routine. Not only does this declutter your vanity, but it also ensures that you’re using products that are effective and safe.
• Your Car and Trunk: Winter often means more time spent indoors, making it an opportune moment to tackle the clutter in your car and trunk. Remove unnecessary items, stow away winter essentials, and create a clean and organized space for your winter travels. A clutter-free car ensures a stress-free journey.
• School Papers: If you’re a parent, school papers can quickly accumulate. Take some time to sort through your child’s school papers, keeping only the most sentimental or important ones. This not only reduces paper clutter but also allows you to cherish and organize the precious memories your child brings home. Check out our tried-and-true kids’ paper organizing solution here.
• Coupons and Receipts: Winter sales and holiday shopping often lead to a pileup of receipts and coupons. Decluttering these items not only makes your wallet more manageable but also helps you stay organized and efficient when planning winter purchases.

How to Print the Winter Decluttering Checklist

Click the image below to get a decluttering checklist .pdf sent to your inbox, where you can download it directly and print! Once printed, I like to clip the decluttering list on a clipboard so it’s easy to find and work through. The more you declutter, the easier it gets because your home and heart start to feel lighter.

What to do with items you’ve decluttered

Now that you’ve put all that energy into decluttering, let’s get it OUT OF YOUR HOME. Holding onto it isn’t serving you! So where should your cast-offs go?

This topic could be a whole post in and of itself, but here’s a few general rules:

• donate usable items to local thrift shops or non-profit organizations
• donate unexpired and unopened food to local food pantries
• toss (or compost, if applicable) expired food
• toss or recycle broken items
• some thrift stores accept worn and torn clothing as textile recycling, but be sure to check with your local store before donating so they don’t end up in a landfill
• papers should be shredded and recycled
• tools and home improvement items in good condition are often welcomed by ReStores (they’re run by Habitat for Humanity)
• Facebook ‘Buy Nothing’ groups are a great place to offer items for free
• you can sell items on Facebook Marketplace or consignment stores, but if your ultimate goal of decluttering is to get it OUT of your home then you might feel better by donating it all instead

Once you’ve done your winter decluttering, put your checklist in your Streamlined Home Binder so you can use it next year. You’ll find that this seasonal decluttering rhythm helps saves you time, money and valuable space each season and keeps useless clutter from piling up.

What I love so much about decluttering is the less stuff you have, the less stuff you need to store and organize. It truly streamlines your home systems when things are simple to store and easy to find.

Click below to get the checklist sent right to your inbox:

By staying on top of clutter, it makes it so much easier to clean your home and find what you need, when you need it. Using this seasonal decluttering strategy, you can declutter and organize your home in seasonally specific ‘hot spots’ to prevent it from filling up with unnecessary and unwanted stuff.

Make sure to print all four of the seasonal decluttering checklists to stay one step ahead of clutter and make it easier to find space for what you truly need, use and love.

If you like this post, pin and share it with friends!