The Quick January Home Reset – 7 Things You Can Get Rid of This Weekend and Not Miss in 2026

Now that 2026 is officially in full swing, your resolutions are likely focused on tidying, cleaning, and decluttering. And, if the latter is top of your list this year, where's best to get started?

It's easier than you may think, as there are seven things our professional organizers say you can throw out this weekend and not miss all year long.

Here, they share which items to banish with decluttering methods before next week.

7 Things You Can Get Rid of This Weekend for a Streamlined 2026

1. Say Goodbye to Clothing You Don't Wear

As Di Ter Avest, professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized, says, if your goal in 2026 is to dress with intention or maintain a capsule closet, utilize closet decluttering tips to support that look.

'A packed closet makes mornings harder, not easier,' she explains. 'When everything is fighting for attention, you default to the same few pieces anyway. Letting go of clothes that don't fit your style, your lifestyle, or your body right now clears the path for the version of you you're trying to show up as.'

For this, she suggests, start by defining the 'vibe' you're going for, whether it's casual, polished, comfortable, elevated, or a mix.

'Then, remove anything that doesn't fit that vision, doesn't fit your body, or makes you feel "off." Keep pieces that mix and match easily. Matching hangers and a simple closet divider,' such as the bestselling SKUBB Organizer available at IKEA, 'instantly make a capsule wardrobe feel intentional and calm.'

Cathy Orr, cofounder of The Uncluttered Life, adds that it's 'time to face the music and the mirror,' this January, and let go of any clothing that doesn't serve you well.

'Keep only that which makes you feel good about yourself and your future direction,' she advises. 'Let go of who you thought you were or might be. Stand in your present self and select clothing that represents who you are now.'

2. Declutter Your Paper Clutter

Next, according to Cathy, it's time to get rid of paper clutter.

'This includes to-do lists you never accomplished, journals that are half full, letters you meant to write, receipts you no longer need, and articles you meant to read,' she says. 'If you didn't accomplish them in 2025, don't carry them into the new year.

'Recycle paper wherever you can, and move on to 2026 without the heaviness of paperwork. This also includes holiday cards that you've kept for way too long.'

For any documents you do need to keep, organize your paperwork at home with file folders and wall organizers, such as the Pen+Gear Acrylic Wall Pocket available at Walmart.

3. Get Rid of Food You Haven't Eaten

After the holiday period, you'll often find your cabinets and pantries packed full of food you didn't, and probably won't, eat. Therefore, now is the perfect time to declutter your pantry.

'Take anything that isn't expired to your local food bank,' says Cathy. 'Leave guilt behind that you spent money on something and didn't eat it. Before food expires, let others enjoy it.

'Be intentional in giving so that each time you reach into the pantry, you don't feel guilty for wasting food or money.'

After decluttering, you'll be able to use some pantry organizing tricks and invest in some pantry organizers that professionals always buy. 'Clear bins work great because you can see what you have, which makes cooking feel less overwhelming,' adds Di.

For this, we recommend the YIHONG Clear Pantry Organizer Bins available at Amazon.

4. Don't Let Digital Clutter Follow You Into 2026

Once you've tackled your paper clutter, the same applies to digital clutter. You'll need some digital decluttering methods for this.

'Let go of pictures that don't bring you happiness, unnecessary mail in your inbox, projects that you never started,' advises Cathy. 'Again, start the year off right with a lighter load. Unsubscribe, delete, and let go so you can start fresh in 2026.'

We'd also recommend tidying up your digital items, such as your phone, smart watch, chargers, and laptop. The SUPERJARE Nightstand with Charging Station available at Amazon is perfect for this.

5. Clear All Surface Clutter For Less Visual Stress

'If your goal is to be more present with your loved ones, declutter surface clutter in your living spaces,' adds Di. 'Surface clutter is sneaky.

'Papers, random toys, remotes, mail, and half-finished projects pull your attention even when you’re not actively thinking about them. A cluttered space makes it harder to relax, connect, and actually be with the people in the room.'

So, to clear and reduce visual clutter in a living room, for example, begin by letting go of old magazines, random décor you don’t love, and toys that aren't being used. The same applies if you're looking to clear visual clutter in a bedroom or keep kitchen counters clear.

'Keep only what supports how you actually live in that space,' she says. 'Use baskets or lidded bins to contain what needs to stay, instantly reducing visual noise.' For this, we recommend this three-pack of Small Storage Baskets for Organizing available at Amazon.

Using the Sunday Butterfly Decluttering Method or the Roving Junk Drawer trick can really help if you struggle to focus or are short on time.

6. Remove Kitchen Items You Never Use

What about those kitchen items you never use? It's best to declutter those items like a line cook, suggests Cathy.

'Go through duplicates that you never reach for when cooking, appliances that are broken or don’t work right, things that have frayed cords, or that you have no use for,' she says. 'Let go of things that others can use by donating them.

'Now is a time to do a great kitchen reset for the new year. You’ll never miss what you never used. Go through chipped mugs, food containers without lids, and little packets from take-out or delivery that just accumulate. Let them go.'

The Didn't Know decluttering method is brilliant for this – if you didn't even know you had something, or had forgotten about it, you definitely don't need to keep it.

And, if you need any replacement food containers, we recommend investing in the Joseph Joseph Nest Lock 10-Piece Plastic Food Storage Containers available at Amazon. They are space-saving as they nest inside each other, and BPA-free.

7. Move on From Items That Are Tied to Guilt and 'Someday'

Finally, says Cathy, 'Let go of anything that doesn't make you happy and that causes feelings of guilt every time you look at them. This can include craft items, workout gear that you never used, books you thought you should read but didn't.

'Let go of projects that you just didn't want to do, but kept on your to-do list because of obligation. This also includes gifts you've been given in 2025 but didn't use because they didn't suit your tastes. It's okay to let all this go.'

As Di warns, any items that make you feel guilty steal your energy, and remind you every time that you see them that you should be doing something, but aren't. That's why learning to let go of them is one of the most valuable decluttering lessons you can learn.

'Letting these items go frees up mental space and time for what actually fits your life right now,' she adds. 'Keep only what you genuinely enjoy or realistically use. For what stays, store it neatly in one contained area so it doesn't bleed into your everyday life.' A storage basket, such as the Homezone Natural Handwoven Seagrass Basket available at Walmart, will work well for this.

You can read more about decluttering the items your fantasy self holds on to in our dedicated guide.

What to Shop

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Meet the Experts

Di Ter Avest

Di became a professional lifestyle organizer after becoming a wife and mother, and has dedicated her career to helping parents organize their homes and their lives so they can do more of what they love. She's also the creator of the Organize Yourself Healthy method.

Cathy Orr

Cathy is the cofounder of The Uncluttered Life, and the Declutter Deck, which was recently featured in FabFitFun. She is also a certified master in the Kon Mari method, which is perfect for decluttering closets.

'The real reset happens when your home supports your goals instead of fighting them,' concludes Di. 'When your space matches your intentions, daily choices get easier – and that’s when change actually sticks.'

That's why it's important to be more ruthless when decluttering this January.