If you’re anything like me, you probably have a laundry basket in every corner of your house. One in the kids’ room, one in the hallway, three in the laundry room because apparently dirty clothes multiply when you’re not looking. And yet — here’s the plot twist — laundry baskets aren’t just for laundry.
Meet the Laundry Basket Method: the simplest, most underrated decluttering hack out there. No fancy bins, no color-coded systems, no Pinterest-perfect labels (unless you really want to). Just one humble laundry basket standing between you and a home that feels like it can breathe again.
Why a Laundry Basket?
Two reasons:
- You already own them (probably too many). If not, get a strong one like this one off Amazon.
- They’re big enough to hold everything from stuffed animals to rogue sippy cups to that stack of mail you swore you’d deal with last month.
Unlike a small bin or tote, a laundry basket doesn’t force you to overthink. It’s a catch-all — and that’s what makes it powerful.
Step 1: Grab & Sweep
Pick your battlefield: the living room that looks like Toys “R” Us exploded, the kitchen counter with its teetering paper tower, or the playroom where chaos has set up permanent residence.
Now, grab your laundry basket and sweep the room. Don’t pause. Don’t sort. Don’t debate whether the broken crayon should go in the art drawer or the trash. Just scoop. Everything that doesn’t belong in that room goes into the basket.
This isn’t organizing. It’s triage. Think of yourself as the ER doctor of clutter — move fast, fix later.
Step 2: The Basket Migration Trick
When you’re ready (and preferably caffeinated), take the basket with you as you move through the house. Drop off items in their rightful homes as you pass by. Sippy cup goes back to the kitchen? Done. Doll shoe returns to the kids’ room? Easy. That random screwdriver? Back to the toolbox on your way to fold towels.
It’s efficient because you’re consolidating trips. Instead of running around like a stressed-out postman delivering one item at a time, you’re moving in bulk.
Step 3: Sort Later (Permission Granted)
Here’s where this method shines: you don’t have to put it all away immediately.
Yep, I said it. Your basket of misfit items is allowed to sit until you have the brainpower (and ideally, a hot cup of coffee) to sort it. This means you can reset your space in five minutes flat without the mental burden of “but where does this go?”
Pro parent tip: designate a corner, closet, or even the garage as your “basket holding zone.” Out of sight, out of mind — at least until you’re ready.
Step 4: Make It a Family Game
If your kids are old enough to sprint without crashing into walls, turn this into a challenge:
- Set a timer for five minutes.
- Give each kid a basket (or share one if they’re younger).
- Shout, “Go!” and watch them race to fill it with items that don’t belong. If they find something that doesn't belong have them call it out loud! "Doesn't belong here!"
Winner gets to pick the after-dinner movie or a sticker on their chart. Meanwhile, you get a room that looks 80% better in minutes.
Spoiler: kids actually like this game because it feels less like cleaning and more like a scavenger hunt.
Why This Method Works
- It’s fast. No sorting paralysis, no decision fatigue. Just grab and dump.
- It’s flexible. Works in the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, even the car (yes, the minivan disaster zone can be basket-rescued too).
- It builds momentum. Once one room looks calmer, you’ll probably keep going.
- It’s family-friendly. Kids can join in, spouses can’t argue that it’s too complicated.
And let’s be honest — half the battle with clutter isn’t what to do, it’s just starting. A basket is a low-barrier entry point.
Bonus: The Two-Basket Upgrade
Want to take it next level? Use two baskets:
- Keep/Relocate — items that belong somewhere else.
- Donate/Toss — stuff you’re ready to let go of.
This way, every sweep also chips away at long-term clutter instead of just shuffling it around. Think of it as decluttering on autopilot.
Real Talk: What About the Basket Graveyard?
Yes, there will be times the basket sits too long. You’ll walk past it for a week, pretending you don’t see it, until it becomes part of the furniture.
That’s okay. The point isn’t perfection. The point is progress. Even if you only ever do the first sweep, your room still looks better and your brain feels lighter. That’s a win.
Try It Tonight
So here’s your challenge: grab a laundry basket and hit one room. Five minutes, no overthinking. Then sit down, sip your coffee (or your cold, reheated coffee — let’s be real), and enjoy the difference.
Because sometimes the simplest hacks — the ones that don’t require a trip to Target or a color-coded spreadsheet — are the ones that actually stick.
Final Thought
The Laundry Basket Method isn’t glamorous. It won’t win you a spread in an organizing magazine. But for busy parents who just want to walk through the living room without stepping on a Lego minefield? It’s the perfect hack no one talks about.
