I knew I had a problem when I opened my junk drawer looking for batteries… and somehow found three old gift cards, a crayon melted into a receipt, and a random Lego stuck to the back of my hand. And instead of fixing it, I just… closed the drawer and walked away like nothing happened.
That’s kinda how clutter sneaks up on you. It’s not one big mess. It’s a hundred tiny ones you keep ignoring until your house starts to feel loud, even when it’s quiet. And as a mom of two, with school stuff, crafts, Disney souvenirs, and about 47 water bottles floating around, I hit a point where I just couldn’t think straight anymore.
That’s when I started the 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge. And I’m telling you, it changed everything in a way that didn’t feel overwhelming or miserable.
If your house feels a little out of control, or you keep saying “I’ll deal with it later” but never do, this is probably exactly what you need.
What Is the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge?
The idea is super simple. You get rid of one bag of stuff every day for 40 days.
That’s it.
No cleaning your entire house in one weekend. No pulling everything out of every closet and making an even bigger mess. Just one bag a day. Sometimes it’s a big trash bag, sometimes it’s a small grocery bag. It all counts.
Originally, this challenge lines up with Lent, which is a 40 day period leading up to Easter. A lot of people use that time to give something up or reset habits. But honestly, you don’t have to follow Lent at all to do this. You can start on a random Tuesday in July if you want.
What I like about it is how doable it feels. You’re not trying to become some super organized person overnight. You’re just slowly getting stuff out of your house, one day at a time.
And if you’re anything like me, once you see even one bag leave your house, you’ll want to keep going.
Why This Decluttering Method Actually Works
I’ve tried the whole “clean the entire house in one day” thing before. It ends the same every time. I make a bigger mess, get overwhelmed, then somehow end up reorganizing a drawer for two hours while the rest of the house still looks crazy.
This works because it’s small.
One bag doesn’t feel scary. Your brain doesn’t freak out. You’re not sitting there thinking about your whole house, you’re just focused on one tiny area. And that makes it way easier to actually start.
Also, seeing a full bag leave your house hits different. It’s real proof that you did something. Not just moving stuff around, but actually getting rid of it. That feeling is weirdly motivating.
And here’s the part no one really talks about. It takes away decision fatigue. You’re not asking yourself a million questions. You’re just filling a bag. Keep it simple, don’t overthink it.
After a few days, you’ll notice your space feels lighter. Not perfect, but calmer. And that alone keeps you going.
Rules to Make Sure You Actually Finish
Okay, this is the part that matters the most. Because you can start this challenge all excited… and then quit by day 5 if you don’t keep it simple.
These are the rules I stick to, and they make a huge difference.
Only one bag per day
You can do more if you feel like it, but don’t force it. This isn’t about burning yourself out.
Set a time limit (about one hour)
If you keep going forever, you’ll get tired and start making bad decisions or just give up halfway.
No “maybe” piles
This one is hard. But those piles turn into clutter all over again. It’s either keep it or let it go.
The bag has to leave your house that same day
Don’t let it sit in your garage for a week. Trash it, donate it, whatever. Just get it out.
Don’t overthink it
If you haven’t used it, don’t love it, or forgot you even had it… you probably don’t need it.
Progress over perfection
Some days your bag will be amazing. Some days it’ll be random stuff from your car. Both count.
If you follow these, you’ll actually finish. And finishing is what changes everything.
What Counts as a “Bag”?
This is where people get stuck for no reason.
A bag is… whatever you want it to be.
It can be a big black trash bag packed full. Or it can be a small grocery bag with like 12 random things in it. Both count the same.
Some days you’ll clean out a whole drawer. Other days you’ll grab stuff off your bathroom counter and call it a win. That still counts.
I’ve had days where my “bag” was literally just:
- expired makeup
- 3 old hair ties
- a broken charger
- and a lotion I hated
Not glamorous, but it got stuff out of my house.
The goal isn’t to make each day impressive. The goal is to be consistent.
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Before You Start (5-Minute Setup)
Before you jump in, take like… five minutes to set yourself up. This part sounds boring but it actually makes the whole thing way easier.
Grab a few trash bags or even just grocery bags and put them somewhere easy to reach. If you have to go hunting for a bag every day, you’re way more likely to skip it. I know myself.
Pick a donation spot too. I keep a box in the corner of my laundry room. Once it fills up, I take it to donate. Nothing fancy, just somewhere stuff can go without piling up everywhere.
Also, make a little “drop zone” by your door or garage. That’s where your filled bags go so they actually leave the house. Because let’s be honest, if it sits inside too long… it somehow finds its way back.
And if you want a little motivation, take a quick before photo of a messy area. You don’t have to show anyone. But later, when things feel different, it’s kinda nice to see how far you’ve come.
That’s it. No big prep. No overthinking. Just make it easy for yourself to start.
40 Bags in 40 Days Checklist
This is where it all comes together. Instead of randomly walking around your house every day, I like having a plan. It keeps you from getting stuck thinking “what should I do today?” and then doing nothing.
I broke this into weeks so it feels more manageable and honestly more motivating. Each week has a theme, and each day is a small area. Nothing too crazy.
Week 1: Quick Wins (Build Momentum)
Start small. You want fast wins here so you feel good right away.
Day 1: Junk drawer
Day 2: Purse or wallet
Day 3: Fridge
Day 4: Bathroom counter
Day 5: Car
Day 6: Nightstand
Day 7: One small cabinet
These are all areas you touch every day. Cleaning them up gives you that instant “ahhh okay this is working” feeling.
Week 2: Clothing Reset
This is where things start getting real.
Day 8: Everyday clothes
Day 9: Shoes
Day 10: Gym clothes
Day 11: Pajamas
Day 12: Jackets
Day 13: Accessories
Day 14: That “I’ll wear this someday” pile
You already know which clothes you never reach for. You don’t need 3 backup versions of the same thing. Keep what fits your life right now.
Week 3: Hidden Clutter
This is the stuff no one sees… but it still weighs on you.
Day 15: Linen closet
Day 16: Towels
Day 17: Cleaning supplies
Day 18: Pantry
Day 19: Spice cabinet
Day 20: Under the sink
Day 21: Random bins or baskets
These spots get messy fast because we just keep stuffing things in them. Time to fix that.
Week 4: Paper + Digital Clutter
Not gonna lie, this week can feel annoying. But it makes a huge difference.
Day 22: Mail pile
Day 23: Old documents
Day 24: Receipts
Day 25: Desk
Day 26: Email inbox
Day 27: Photos on your phone
Day 28: Downloads folder
Even just deleting stuff off your phone feels weirdly freeing.
Week 5: Big Impact Areas
You’ll start seeing major changes this week.
Day 29: Closet deep clean
Day 30: Kids toys or extras
Day 31: Books
Day 32: Home decor
Day 33: Storage room
Day 34: Garage (zone 1)
Day 35: Garage (zone 2)
This is where your house really starts to feel different.
Week 6: The Stuff You’ve Been Avoiding
Okay… here we go.
Day 36: Sentimental items
Day 37: Old hobbies
Day 38: Holiday decor
Day 39: Kitchen overflow
Day 40: Final sweep (grab anything left that doesn’t belong)
This part can feel a little harder, but by now you’ve built momentum. You’re way more ready than you were on day one.
Keep going and you’ll be shocked at how much leaves your house in just 40 days.
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What to Do With Your Stuff (Keep, Donate, Trash)
This is where people slow way down. You pick something up and suddenly you’re like… wait do I need this? what if I use it later? what if my kids need it one day??
And then you just… keep it.
So here’s what I do to keep it simple.
Keep it if you actually use it or love it. Not “used it once 2 years ago.” I mean real life, right now.
Donate it if it’s still in good shape but you don’t use it. Clothes, toys, kitchen stuff, all of that can go to someone who will actually enjoy it.
Trash it if it’s broken, expired, stained, or honestly just kinda gross. You’re not helping anyone by donating junk.
A quick rule I follow is this. If I wouldn’t buy it again today, I probably don’t need to keep it.
And try not to overcomplicate where things go. I have one donation box, one trash bag, and that’s it. Done is better than perfect.
Common Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Progress
I wish I could say I followed this perfectly the first time… I did not. I messed this up in like every way possible before I finally figured out what actually works.
The biggest one? Doing way too much at the start.
You get in this mood where you’re like “okay I’m changing my life today” and suddenly you’re filling 4 or 5 bags in one go. It feels great in the moment, but the next day you’re tired, your house is half torn apart, and you don’t feel like doing anything. Then it just… stops.
Another thing I used to do all the time was keep stuff “just in case.”
Like just in case I need it, just in case I lose weight, just in case I host something fancy one day. Meanwhile it’s been sitting there for years. That kind of thinking will keep your house full forever.
Also, if the bag doesn’t leave your house, it doesn’t count. I’ve had donation bags sit in my trunk for… I don’t even want to say how long. At that point it’s basically still your stuff.
And don’t even get me started on sentimental things too early. The first time I tried this, I opened a bin of my kids’ old baby clothes on day 2. Bad idea. I sat on the floor for 30 minutes going through memories and didn’t get rid of anything. Save that stuff for later when you’re already in the groove.
And honestly, missing a few days isn’t the problem. That happens. It’s when you miss a few days and then decide “well I already messed up” and quit completely. That’s the part that sets you back.
Just keep going, even if it’s messy or inconsistent. That’s what actually gets you to the end.
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If You Fall Behind (How to Catch Up Without Quitting)
Life happens. Kids get sick, schedules get crazy, you just don’t feel like it one day. Totally normal.
If you fall behind, don’t restart the whole thing. That’s where people give up.
Instead, just pick back up where you left off. Or do two small bags in one day if you want to catch up. Even a tiny bag counts.
Some days I literally just walk around with a grocery bag while my coffee is brewing and grab random stuff. It takes like 10 minutes and boom, done.
The goal is to keep moving, not to be perfect.
Real Results You Can Expect After 40 Days
I’m not saying your house will look like a magazine. Mine definitely doesn’t, especially with kids running around.
But it will feel different.
You’ll notice:
- less stuff sitting everywhere
- cleaning takes way less time
- you can actually find things
- your mind feels calmer, like you can think again
And the best part, you stop feeling that low level stress every time you look around your house.
It’s kinda wild how much stuff affects your mood until it’s gone.
Optional: 7 Day Version (If You Want Faster Results)
If 40 days feels like too much right now, you can do a shorter version.
Just group things together and go a little faster.
Day 1: Kitchen
Day 2: Living room
Day 3: Bathroom
Day 4: Bedroom
Day 5: Closet
Day 6: Storage areas
Day 7: Final sweep
Same idea, just quicker. It’s a good way to jumpstart things if you need that.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a perfect home. Honestly, that’s not even realistic.
You just need less stuff.
Less stuff to clean, less stuff to manage, less stuff sitting there reminding you of things you haven’t done yet.
Start with one bag. That’s it. Don’t wait for the perfect time, because it’s never coming.
Just grab a bag today and see what happens.