8 Ways the 20/20 Decluttering Rule Can Help You Declutter

Struggling to let go of things you might need one day? The 20/20 decluttering rule can help you overcome indecision, challenge “just in case” thinking and make more confident choices about what to keep and what to let go as you simplify your home.

DO YOU FIND DECLUTTERING DIFFICULT?

Have you ever picked up an item while decluttering and thought, “But what if I need this one day?”

It’s one of the biggest reasons clutter stays in our homes.

Many of us hold onto possessions not because we use them regularly, but because we’re worried about a future situation where they might come in handy. We keep old chargers, duplicate kitchen gadgets, spare stationery, unused craft supplies and countless other items “just in case”.

The problem is that all those “just in case” possessions take up space, create visual clutter and make our homes harder to manage.

That’s where the 20/20 Rule can help.

Popularised by The Minimalists, the 20/20 Rule is designed to help you make confident decisions about items you’re afraid to let go of. It’s simple, practical and can be surprisingly effective when you’re struggling with decluttering indecision.

1. What Is the 20/20 Decluttering Rule?

The 20/20 Rule suggests that if you can replace an item for less than $20 and obtain it again within 20 minutes, you can probably let it go.

The purpose of the rule isn’t to encourage you to get rid of everything you own. Instead, it’s designed to challenge the fear that often keeps us holding onto clutter.

Many of the things we store “just in case” are inexpensive, easy to replace and rarely used. The 20/20 Rule reminds us that we don’t necessarily need to dedicate valuable storage space to every possible future scenario.

Of course, the rule isn’t intended to be followed rigidly. It works best as a tool to help you think differently about your possessions and question whether you’re keeping something because you genuinely need it or simply because you’re anxious about decluttering and worried about letting it go.

2. Why Do We Hold Onto Things We Rarely Use?

In my experience, clutter is often less about the item itself and more about the emotions attached to it.

When people struggle to declutter, they’re usually worried about:

• Wasting money
• Making a mistake
• Being unprepared
• Regretting their decision

Keeping an item feels safer than letting it go.

I’ve found that many people aren’t actually attached to the possession itself. They’re attached to the sense of security it provides.

Unfortunately, that sense of security can come at a cost. The more we keep, the more we have to organise, clean, store and manage.

I think it’s also worth recognising that many of us have been taught that keeping things is responsible. We learn to avoid waste, save money and prepare for the future. Those are valuable lessons, but they can sometimes become unhelpful when taken to extremes.

Over time, we may find ourselves storing dozens of items that no longer serve a purpose simply because getting rid of them feels wasteful. The irony is that the item often ends up sitting untouched in a cupboard, loft or garage for years. At that point, the money has already been spent. Keeping the item doesn’t recover the cost. Instead, it continues to occupy space and mental energy.

This is why decluttering can feel surprisingly emotional. We’re not just making decisions about possessions. We’re often confronting our fears, habits and beliefs about money, security and preparedness.

Try this:

The next time you’re struggling to let go of an item, ask yourself:

“Am I keeping this because I use it, or because it makes me feel safer?”

That simple question can reveal a lot about the role the item is playing in your life.

3. Why the 20/20 Rule Works So Well

One of the reasons I like the 20/20 Rule is that it changes the question we’re asking ourselves.

Instead of saying:

“What if I need this one day?”

We ask:

“How difficult would it really be to replace?”

That’s often a much more useful question.

Many items that feel important during a decluttering session turn out to be things we could easily borrow, replace or do without if the need ever arose.

The rule helps shift our thinking from fear-based decision-making to practical decision-making.

The 20/20 Rule also works because it encourages us to think in terms of probability rather than possibility.

Almost anything is possible. You might need that spare charger one day. You might decide to take up that hobby again. You might find a use for those storage containers.

But how likely is it?

One of the biggest causes of clutter is treating every possibility as though it deserves permanent space in our homes.

When we start evaluating possessions based on realistic likelihood rather than hypothetical scenarios, our decisions often become much clearer.

This doesn’t mean we should never prepare for the future. It simply means recognising that our homes shouldn’t function as storage units for every possible version of the future.

Try this:

Think about an item you’ve been keeping “just in case” for several years.

Now ask yourself:

• How many times have I actually needed it?
• Could I replace it if necessary?
• Am I storing it because of a realistic need or a hypothetical one?

4. The Best Types of Clutter to Use the 20/20 Rule On

The rule works particularly well for low-cost, everyday items.

Examples include:

• Duplicate kitchen utensils
• Spare stationery
• Excess storage containers
• Old charging cables
• Duplicate tools
• Unused craft supplies
• Miscellaneous household items

These are often the categories where clutter quietly accumulates over time.

The individual items may not seem significant, but together they can take up a surprising amount of space.

I’ve often found that people make the biggest progress in their decluttering journey when they start tackling these easy wins. Letting go of low-risk items helps build confidence and momentum for the more difficult decisions that may come later.

Try this:

Choose one drawer in your home and identify every duplicate item.

Ask yourself:

• How often do I use this?
• Could I replace it for less than $20?
• Could I get another one within 20 minutes if I genuinely needed it?

5. When the 20/20 Rule Doesn’t Work

Like any decluttering method, the 20/20 Rule isn’t suitable for every situation.

Sentimental Items

Photographs, keepsakes, inherited possessions and meaningful mementoes can’t be measured by replacement cost.

Specialist Equipment

Items used for work, qualifications or specialist hobbies may be difficult or expensive to replace.

Emergency Supplies

Some items are kept specifically because they’re needed in unusual situations.

Seasonal Possessions

Christmas decorations, camping equipment and seasonal clothing may only be used occasionally but still serve an important purpose.

The key is to use the rule as a guide rather than a strict instruction.

I always think that good decluttering always involves context, common sense and an understanding of your own lifestyle. A rule should support your judgement, not replace it.

And, importantly, just because one way works for someone else, it may not work for you and in this season of life. That doesn’t mean the rule is inherently wrong, it just means it’s not right for you, right now.

Try This

Before applying the 20/20 Rule, ask yourself:

“Am I keeping this because it genuinely serves a purpose, or because I’m worried about letting it go?”

6. What If You Regret Decluttering Something?

This is one of the most common fears people have.

The truth is that most people will occasionally declutter something they later realise they could have used.

I’ve certainly done it myself.

However, what I’ve noticed is that the regret of decluttering is usually much smaller than we imagine beforehand.

Most items can be replaced.

Many aren’t missed at all.

Meanwhile, the benefits of having less clutter are experienced every day.

You gain:

• More space
• Less visual distraction
• Less cleaning
• Less organising
• Greater ease and simplicity

In reality, most people remember the handful of items they regret decluttering while completely forgetting the hundreds of items they don’t miss at all.

This can distort our perception of risk.

We focus on the one item we wish we’d kept and overlook all the drawers, cupboards and shelves that became easier to manage as a result of decluttering.

I’ve also found that making the occasional decluttering mistake can actually be helpful. It teaches us that we can survive those situations. We learn that replacement is often easier than expected and that our wellbeing doesn’t depend on owning every item we might possibly need.

That experience can build confidence and make future decluttering decisions feel much less stressful.

Try this:

Instead of asking, “What if I regret getting rid of it?” try asking:

“What am I sacrificing by keeping it?”

Sometimes the cost of keeping clutter is far greater than the risk of letting it go.

7. The Biggest Misunderstanding About the 20/20 Rule

Some people assume the rule is about becoming a minimalist or owning as little as possible.

I don’t believe that’s the point.

Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of things for the sake of it.

It’s about making intentional decisions about what deserves space in your home and your life.

If something is useful, meaningful or genuinely adds value, there is no reason to get rid of it simply because a rule says you can.

The 20/20 Rule should support your decision-making, not replace it.

A clutter-free home doesn’t look the same for everyone. What matters is creating a home that feels manageable, functional and aligned with your current needs.

8. My Thoughts on the 20/20 Rule

Personally, I see the 20/20 Rule as less of a rule and more of a mindset shift.

It’s a reminder that we don’t have to prepare for every possible future scenario.

We don’t need to fill our homes with backups, duplicates and “just in case” possessions.

Instead, we can trust ourselves to deal with problems if and when they arise.

One reason I particularly like the 20/20 Rule is that it helps combat scarcity thinking.

Scarcity thinking tells us that we must hold onto everything because we might not be able to replace it, afford it or find it again in the future.

While there are certainly situations where that concern is valid, many of us apply that mindset far more broadly than necessary.

As our homes become fuller, we often spend increasing amounts of time cleaning, organising, moving and managing possessions. The items that were supposed to make us feel more secure can end up creating stress instead.

The 20/20 Rule offers a gentle reminder that our ability to solve problems is often more valuable than the possessions themselves.

We don’t have to own every solution in advance.

Sometimes it’s enough to trust that if a genuine need arises in the future, we’ll be capable of dealing with it then.

For me, that’s one of the most valuable lessons decluttering teaches. It’s not really about owning less. It’s about becoming more confident in your decisions and creating a home that supports the life you’re living now rather than storing endless possibilities for the future.

And over to you… Have you ever kept something for years because you thought you might need it one day? Or have you successfully used the 20/20 Rule while decluttering?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

STILL STUCK WITH DECLUTTERING?

If too many rules and strategies are making decluttering your home feel more complicated than you can cope with then I’d love to help!

Clear Your Clutter is my really simple, straightforward workbook to walk you through the process of decluttering step-by-step.

There are some really handy decluttering checklists for each room in your home. So, all you have to do is follow the workbook and checklists where everything is all laid out for you and this makes for much easier decluttering!

Click here to learn more about Clear Your Clutter.