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September Declutter Challenge to Get Ready for the Autumn Busy Season

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September Declutter Challenge to Get Ready for the Autumn Busy Season

Declutter your home one day at a time with this easy, no pressure September Declutter Challenge and free printable checklist. Let’s get ready for the autumn busy season and build motivation and confidence to simplify your home and life.

LET’S GET READY FOR SEPTEMBER!

September always feels like a fresh start. The kids are back at school, routines are beginning to settle, and there’s that subtle shift in the air as summer turns into autumn. It’s the perfect time to pause, reset, and make space for what matters most.

I always think that one of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is with a daily declutter like this September declutter challenge. At least, one that’s easy, no pressure and hopefully fun to do!

When life feels busy or overwhelming, our homes often show it. Drawers fill up, surfaces collect clutter, and suddenly the house feels heavy and draining. I’ve been there myself—trying to get the children out the door for school and not being able to find a pair of shoes or a lunchbox because the hallway was too cluttered. That’s a stressful start to what will likely feel a more stressful day.

A daily declutter challenge gives you a clear, manageable task each day, helping you build momentum without feeling overwhelmed. Small, consistent steps add up—and by the end of the month, you’ll have created breathing room not just in your home, but also in your mind.

Further Reading: How to Declutter Your Home and Life: A Beginner’s Guide

WHY A SEPTEMBER DECLUTTERING CHALLENGE CAN REALLY HELP YOU

September’s a bit of a fresh start, isn’t it? The lazy summer days are over, the kids are back at school, and suddenly life feels a lot busier. That makes it the perfect time to clear out some of the summer leftovers—things like beach bags, toys, or half-finished projects—and get your home ready for the autumn rush. Doing a little bit each day means you’ll head into the season feeling more organised, less stressed, and ready to keep up with the new routine.

More than that though, I always feel that September is a little like the start of the new year. It’s a chance to reset your home, your mind, your schedule and really assess how life is feeling. It’s a great time to review what’s working and what’s not and get motivated and focused on what you DO and DON’T want in your life. Decluttering your home with this September declutter challenge is a great place to start.

WHY DAILY DECLUTTERING IS A GOOD HABIT TO BUILD

Daily decluttering works because it’s simple and low-pressure. You’re not tackling a huge job that leaves you drained—you’re just doing one small thing at a time. That means no overthinking, no guilt if you struggle with bigger spaces and projects like garages, and no feeling like you’ve failed if life gets busy.

Bit by bit, those small tasks build decluttering momentum and help you practise making decisions about what you really want to keep in your home. It’s a habit that works no matter your age, your schedule, or how much clutter you’re starting with. Over time, it becomes part of your routine and makes keeping on top of your home so much easier.

Further Reading: 8 Tips for a Daily Decluttering Routine

30-Day September Declutter Challenge

HOW TO USE THE 30-DAY SEPTEMBER DECLUTTER CHALLENGE CHECKLIST

  1. Download your checklist by popping your details in either of the boxes at the top or bottom of this article. Using this article, write in your decluttering projects for each of the days. I’ve deliberately not pre-filled the checklist so you can get familiar with what you have to do as you fill it in. I think a little bit of forward planning is helpful so you know what to expect over the next month. You’re more likely to be committed to the challenge if you have time invested in it! Put it somewhere you’re likely to see it everyday like the front of your fridge or in your journal.
  2. Grab a bag or box – one for donations, one for rubbish. Keep them handy so you can drop things straight in.
  3. Set a timer – 10–15 minutes is plenty. Stop when it goes off, even if you’re not “finished.”
  4. Follow the list – just focus on today’s task. Don’t overthink it, don’t try to do it all at once. Small steps add up.
  5. Deal with your unwanted stuff – make use of your weekly waste and recycling days to get rid of your unwanted items. Don’t let them lie around cluttering up your hall, garage or entranceway. They’re not decluttered until they’re OUT of your home!
  6. If one day doesn’t appeal to you – just spend the same 10-15 minutes decluttering another area of your home that needs decluttering. Remember, decluttering isn’t a precise science or something you have to stick to rigidly. Make it work for you!

Further Reading: What to Do With Unwanted Stuff You’ve Decluttered

30 DAILY DECLUTTER CHALLENGES FOR SEPTEMBER

Here’s your list of daily tasks for the September declutter challenge. Each one is designed to take around 15 minutes, so you can fit it into your routine without too much stress.

Week 1: Quick Wins Around the House

1. Clear your handbag, rucksack, or work bag. Do you really need to carry everything around, including the kitchen sink? Keep what you use and need. Your bags are not storage containers!

2. Tidy up the entryway—shoes, coats, and keys. This is the first place you and guests will see but often a dumping ground. Keep it clear, tidy and organised.

3. Recycle or shred old post and papers. How many times would you refer to them if you keep them?

4. Empty one kitchen drawer. Get rid of duplicate utensils, items you never use.

5. Go through the fridge and toss expired food. Try to do this every week so nothing goes bad lurking at the back of the fridge and you can use leftovers and things near their expiry date in your weekly meal planning.

6. Declutter mugs, glasses, or cups. Do you need all of them, do you use all of them?

7. Choose 5 items for donation. Put them in a bag or box and deal with them today if possible.

Further Reading: Decluttering Paperwork Tips and Setting Up a Simple Filing System

Week 2: Clothes and Wardrobe

8. Clear out socks with holes or odd pairs. Make sure you can easily reach for pairs that you actually wear quickly in the morning.

9. Go through underwear and sleepwear. Does it feel comfortable? Do you have too much or too few?

10. Sort through t-shirts and tops. Are there any that have seen better days or it’s time to pass on?

11. Check coats and jackets for what you actually wear. These are bulky items so they take up lots of space, particularly if you never wear them.

12. Declutter shoes that are uncomfortable or worn out. Consider when you last wore each pair and how they made you feel when you wore them.

13. Donate accessories you never use. Our style and tastes change so make sure these suit you now.

14. Tidy and fold one drawer or shelf.

Further Reading: 29 Ways to Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes

30-Day September Declutter Challenge

Week 3: Living Areas and Storage

15. Clear the coffee table or side tables. Flat surfaces are like clutter magnets so aim to keep them clutter-free.

16. Declutter magazines and newspapers. Pass them on to a friend who might like to read them or drop them in the recycling.

17. Organise the TV area—remote controls, DVDs, cables. Make sure it’s tidy and you actually use these items.

18. Empty a junk drawer. Sort through the items, give it a wipe down once empty and put things back tidy and organised.

19. Declutter 10 books you’ve read or won’t read. Be honest about what time and motivation you have to read them.

20. Sort through board games or puzzles. Declutter ones that have parts or pieces missing or you don’t enjoy playing.

21. Clear surfaces in your living room. Think floor, bookshelves, window sill etc.

Further Reading: Clutter Hotspots and How To Deal With Them

Week 4: Kitchen and Bathroom

22. Declutter the spice rack or cupboard. Herbs and spices lose their flavour after a while.

23. Toss out chipped plates, bowls, or old plastic containers. Do you have enough or do you need to buy replacements?

24. Simplify cooking utensils—keep only what you use. If you keep them on the counter, do you have space in a drawer for them instead?

25. Clear under the sink. Declutter cleaning products and random stuff that’s built up. Decide to finish off what you have before you buy more.

26. Go through toiletries—remove expired or unused.

27. Declutter make-up and skincare products. These expire too and become unhygienic over time.

28. Empty one bathroom drawer or shelf. Make your bathroom feel more spacious, less overcrowded and easier to clean.

Further Reading: 10 Tips to Declutter Your Kitchen and Keep It Clutter-Free

Week 5: Final Sweep and Reset

29. Declutter your bedside table. Keep only what you need for the night and try to aim for a clutter-free bedroom so it’s less distracting when you’re trying to sleep.

30. Walk through your home with a basket, collecting anything that doesn’t belong. Put it away, donate, pass it on or bin it.

30-Day September Declutter Challenge

HOW TO GET STARTED

Don’t overthink it. Pick today’s task, set a timer for 15 minutes, and just begin. Some days you’ll feel motivated to do more, and that’s great. Other days, simply finishing one small task is enough. Consistency is what counts.

I always remind myself that decluttering isn’t about having a perfect home. It’s about creating a space that supports my life and feels calm to walk into at the end of the day. When you release the things you don’t need, you make room for more of what matters—time, energy, and peace of mind.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET STUCK

If you get stuck along the way, don’t panic—it happens to all of us. Maybe you hit a busy week, or one of the tasks feels too big. The trick is to keep things flexible. Break the job into even smaller steps (instead of “declutter the kitchen drawer,” start with just the cutlery).

Or, if you miss a day or two, don’t feel you have to catch up all at once—just pick up from today’s task and carry on. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress and every step still counts.

And, it doesn’t matter if this September declutter challenge spills over into October or beyond. It’s aimed for September but any time of the year is good too!

Here are some quick tips to stay motivated:

  • Set a timer – 10–15 minutes is often all you need.
  • Play music or a podcast – make it something you enjoy so it feels less like a chore.
  • Start with the easiest task – quick wins build momentum.
  • Take before-and-after photos – seeing the difference can be really motivating.
  • Reward yourself – a cup of tea, a walk, or some quiet time once you’re done.
  • Get support – tell a friend and share your progress for accountability.
  • Remember your “why” – think about how much calmer and lighter your home (and head!) will feel.

So grab a bag, turn on some music, and let’s make September the month you clear the clutter and reclaim your home.

Let me know in the comments how you get on with this September declutter challenge! What do you find easy or particularly hard to let go of? I’d love to hear from you.

WANT TO REALLY CLEAR YOUR CLUTTER?

If you enjoyed this article and you like following a decluttering checklist, you might love my Clear Your Clutter workbook and the handy decluttering checklists that come with it.

The workbook will help you identify what, how and why you have clutter in your home and you’ll come up with strategies to deal with it and keep it away.

Then, there’s the decluttering checklists which cover each room in your home and other main sources of clutter that most of us struggle with.

Click here to learn more about Clear Your Clutter!

Clear Your Clutter

MORE DECLUTTERING INSPIRATION AND TIPS

I hope you enjoyed this September declutter challenge. Here are some more articles to help you declutter and simplify your home with more ease and less pressure!