Decluttering Made Easy: My Simple S.O.R.T. Method for Busy Moms

Originally published 2/26/2016

I'm one of those weird people. I get a little giddy when I organize. It's a rush to walk into a room that has been picked up and is in order — then the kids come in and my little moment is over.

Ha! Now, before you get rid of the kids in an effort to keep your house clean or completely give up on your home, know there is hope! You can have an organized home with kids in the house. It may not be clean at every moment of the day, but you can have order.

The key is learning how to declutter before you organize. 

What Does Not Work...

My original technique was to organize my clutter. I would stick everything in a sturdy, clear bin with a pretty little label on it and "Voila!" I had an organized box and an organized home.

Except…I didn’t.

The clutter was still there. I just hid it. The truth of the matter is that we cannot truly "organize" clutter. It's like storing trash. We're really creating more work for ourselves for another day. We must declutter first.

As my family has grown, the only way I’ve been able to maintain order in our home is by consistently clearing out the excess instead of trying to organize more stuff.

What Does Work...

Do you really want to know my “secret sauce” for decluttering? Prayer!

Now don’t laugh, but before I start decluttering, I pray. I ask the Lord to help me be honest as I sort through things. I pray for wisdom to let go of things that are no longer serving our family. And I ask for vision for the space and how the room can best function to bless our family and the people who enter our home.

God truly blesses our work when we invite Him into it.

The Power of Sorting

The biggest breakthrough in decluttering happens when you sort items into clear categories. When everything is mixed together in a room, it’s overwhelming. But when you sort items intentionally, it becomes much easier to decide what stays and what goes.

Over the years, I developed a simple system that helps me move through clutter quickly and without overthinking.

I call it the S.O.R.T. method.

My S.O.R.T. Decluttering Method

When I declutter a space, I empty the area and begin sorting items into four simple categories:

S = Sell

If something still has value, you may choose to sell it. However, this can become a time trap if you’re not careful. My rule is simple: put a date on the calendar. If the item doesn’t sell by that date, donate it so it can bless someone else. This leads me to...

O = Others

These are items that could be a blessing to someone else. Donate them to a local charity, pass them to a friend, or give them to a family who could use them. I've found that kids have an easier time letting go of things when they think in terms of their "old" toys being a blessing to someone else. 

Remind yourself that what no longer blesses your home might be exactly what someone else needs. 

R = Right Place

These are the items you’re keeping. Put these items back in their "right place" once your decluttering session is finished. But remember:

If it’s important enough to keep, it needs a proper home.

T = Toss

Broken items, worn-out items, and things that no longer work belong in the trash. These little things often become what I call “house dander.” They collect in corners and drawers and create clutter without adding any value.

Let them go.

Helpful Questions When Sorting

If you’re unsure about an item, ask yourself a few quick questions:

• Is it a blessing to have in our home?
• Do we still love it?
• Do we still need it?
• Do we use it regularly?
• Does it still work?
• Does it serve a real purpose?

You can also ask:

• Does it fit our current lifestyle?
• Is it taking up too much space?
• Could we live without it?

If the answer is yes…it may be time to let it go.

One More Tip: Work in Bite-Size Projects

One mistake people make when decluttering is trying to tackle everything at once. Instead, pick one small area at a time:

• a drawer
• a shelf
• a closet corner
• a kitchen cabinet

Small wins build momentum—and momentum leads to real change.

Your Turn!

I want to challenge you. Pick one small space in your home that has been driving you crazy and try the S.O.R.T. method. You might be surprised how quickly clarity comes once you start sorting. And trust me, the joy of less clutter is a real thing.

Want More Decluttering Help?

If you’d like a deeper dive into decluttering and home organization, check out my book: M.O.M. = Master Organizer of Mayhem. I have two chapters all about decluttering. 

I wrote M.O.M. specifically for moms because most organizing books don’t take into account the reality of raising kids while trying to keep a home running smoothly. You can have a home that feels peaceful and manageable—even in the middle of busy mom life.

Clearing out clutter always feels so good. Plus, I get excited that I just kept myself from debuting in the next episode of Hoarders. Remember, learning to simplify is an art. It takes time and practice. However, you and your family will be so blessed by the joy that will follow.

Looking for Even More Help with Organizing Your Home?

I've spent years researching organization strategies, testing systems in my own home, and helping thousands of moms create homes that feel less chaotic and more peaceful.

If you're ready to move beyond simply decluttering and want a step-by-step plan to organize your home, I'd love to invite you to join me in H.O.M.E. Organization Made Easy.