The One-Month Declutter Plan That Actually Works: Dive in!

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Joanne Radke’s practical guide to decluttering your home in a month—Why is My House Always a Mess?—is a wonderful and practical read! Without it, you wouldn’t get the chance to be introduced to a declutter plan that actually works for anyone and everyone!

Is your home a constant mess? Do you want it clean, but feel overwhelmed? Many of us have too much junk, messy closets, and tables covered in things that we really should be working on.

So, what do you say to a declutter plan that actually works?

Meet Joanne Radke’s Why is My House Always a Mess?: How to Declutter & Organize Your Home in Just 30 Days. It helps you clean your home by looking at the mess, and how you think and feel about it. Here, we’ll share a monthly decluttering plan from Radke’s ideas. We’ll give you clear ways to clean and a home organization challenge to help you get your space back in 30 days.

Why Your Home Gets Messy

Before we start cleaning, let’s understand why homes get messy. Sometimes, it’s not just many things. It can be stress, putting things off, or strong feelings about items. Radke says finding the drive to clean often comes from a deeper place, like inner peace.

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Decluttering Your Home in a Month

This plan is about changing habits for good. This 30-day declutter plan that works breaks down the big job into daily steps. This helps you make lasting changes.

Part 1: Preparations

• Day 1: See Your Ideal Home & Find Your Reason. Don’t just start pulling things out. Picture your clean home. How do you want to feel there? Peaceful? Useful? Welcoming? What’s your main reason for cleaning? Write it down. This “why” will guide you.
• Day 2: Get Tools Ready. You’ll need trash bags, donation boxes, a “keep” pile, and cleaning items. Set a temporary spot for undecided items. Set time daily – 15-30 minutes helps.
• Day 3: Toss Obvious Junk. Walk through your home with a trash bag. Look for garbage, broken items, empty containers, anything for the trash. Don’t overthink. This quick home organization step builds momentum.
• Day 4: Donate/Recycle. Grab donation boxes. Find items unused in a year, duplicates, or things you don’t need. Clothes that don’t fit, unread books, unused gadgets – these go.
• Day 5: Digital Clean & Plan. Digital clutter drains energy. Delete old emails, organize computer files, and unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters. Then, check your calendar for the next 30 days. Block out cleaning time. Regular work is key to this monthly decluttering plan.

Part 2: Zone by Zone (Days 6-25)

This is the main work. We’ll tackle one zone, from busy areas to private ones. The goal is progress, not perfection.

Week 1: Busy Areas (Kitchen, Living Room, Entryway)

• Days 6-8: The Kitchen. Start with used items. Empty one cabinet or drawer. Discard old food, broken tools, and extra gadgets. Group like items. Clean as you work.
• Days 9-11: Living Room. Focus on flat surfaces: coffee tables, shelves, TV stands. Remove unneeded items. Sort books, magazines, and remotes. Look at decorations – do you love them?
• Day 12: Entryway & Coat Closet. This area collects a lot. Clear shoes, coats, bags, and mail. Add hooks or shoe racks if needed. Make a spot for keys.

Week 2: Private Rooms (Bedrooms, Bathrooms)

• Days 13-15: Main Bedroom. Start with your nightstand and dresser tops. Then the clothes. Use the “one-year rule” for clothing. Try on unsure items. Organize clothes by type.
• Days 16-18: The Closet. This may take more than one day. Take everything out. Sort into keep, donate, and trash. Use consistent hangers. Consider drawer dividers for folded items.
• Days 19-20: Bathroom. Empty cabinets and drawers. Discard old cosmetics, medicines, and near-empty bottles. Group like items (hair, dental, first aid). Clean well.

Week 3: Work & Play Areas (Office/Desk, Kids’ Rooms/Play Area, Laundry Room)

• Days 21-22: Home Office/Desk. Tackle papers first. Create a simple filing system for important papers. Discard old bills. Organize office supplies. Keep only what you use often.
• Days 23-24: Kids’ Rooms & Play Areas (if applicable). Involve children. Set clear toy limits. Use toy rotation. Discard broken toys or unused ones.
• Day 25: Laundry Room & Utility Closet. Sort cleaning supplies and laundry soap. Discard empty bottles or broken items. Ensure everything has a spot.

Part 3: Finish & Maintain (Days 26-30)

You’ve made great progress! Now, refine and maintain.

• Day 26: The “Leftover” & “Decision” Pile Day. Go back to your “decision zone.” Decide on each item. Tackle any remaining messy drawers or corners.
• Day 27: Deep Clean & Organize Remaining Surfaces. With surfaces clear, clean them well. Organize decorations. Ensure everything has a home.
• Day 28: Start Daily Habits. The key to a declutter plan that works is staying consistent. Establish daily habits: “one-touch rule” (put things away immediately), 15-minute daily tidy, “don’t put it down, put it away.”
• Day 29: Create a Maintenance Schedule. Don’t wait for clutter to build again. Plan weekly tidy-ups, monthly deep-dives into one area, and seasonal declutters. This active approach ensures long-term success for your quick home organization.
• Day 30: Celebrate! You did it! Take a moment to enjoy your transformed home.

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Thinking Beyond the Mess

Decluttering isn’t just about cleaning. It’s about taking control and lessening stress.

A tidy home often means a clear mind. This monthly decluttering plan is an investment in your well-being.

By using this declutter plan that works, you’re not just organizing your home in 30 days. You’re building habits for life. You’re learning to simplify, connect with your space, and take back control. Ready to dive in and change your home? The journey to a calm living space starts now.

Ready to make your home tidy for good? For a complete, step-by-step guide and more insights into decluttering your home in 30 days, get your copy of Joanne Radke’s Why is My House Always a Mess?: How to Declutter & Organize Your Home in Just 30 Days.

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Joanne Radke

With over 46 years of experience as a pastor, mentor, counselor, and friend, Joanne Radke has dedicated her life to helping countless individuals find hope and healing. Her deep compassion has led her to serve in six different ministries, including 15 years in children's ministry. Joanne’s impact extends across Canada and around the globe, most notably through her 17-year leadership of the CBA – The 700 Club Canadian prayer center, where she trains and ministers to people daily. Discover more about Joanne's remarkable journey and heart for others.

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