If you had asked me a month ago about where I’d place myself on the scale of ‘minimalist’ to ‘hoarder’, I’d have been on the fence, firmly in the middle. But after trying out the 90/90 decluttering rule, I’ve concluded that when it comes to material possessions, simplicity is key.
The decluttering hack challenges you to go through your possessions while asking yourself two simple questions: ‘Have you used that item in the last 90 days? If you haven’t, will you use it in the next 90?’ If the answer’s ‘no’, then it’s time to let it go.
After spotting this decluttering tip on social media, I decided to use it to help me clear out my wardrobe. Little did I know it would make me reconsider the way I shop for and declutter my clothes for the foreseeable future.
Here's what implementing this framework has taught me and why an expert says this rule won’t be right for everyone, but it could be just the thing for minimalists.
The 90/90 decluttering rule — and what happened when I tried it
The 90/90 decluttering rule, or the 90/90 Minimalism Rule as it's sometimes referred to, is the brainchild of American authors, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus – AKA The Minimalists.
As the duo states on their website, rules can be restrictive. But they are often helpful when it comes to change, or letting go of possessions that no longer bring you joy. And Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, agrees. ‘To make decluttering your life easier, it's important to ask yourself not only the right questions, but the hard questions,' Hord says. 'This will challenge you and put things into perspective. The 90/90 decluttering rule gives you a timeline to easily follow.’
You might be wondering when is the best time of the year to declutter? And in Hord’s opinion, there is no time like the present. ‘The end of a season and the beginning of a new one is a great time to implement this rule as many items are used seasonally and can help you better consider if items were used that season or not.’
But before you get stuck in, Hord recommends grabbing some trash bags, boxes for donations (or to help you store your clothes), a Sharpie and some Post-it notes to keep track of your piles. We love these Amazon 100% Recycled Paper Super Sticky Notes, which come with double the usual sticking power. ‘You'll also want cleaning supplies to wipe down and clean the area you are decluttering,’ Hord adds.
In need of some extra storage? Designed with transparent fabric windows and a collapsible frame, these boxes are easy to pop up and down and make finding and storing your clothes, easy.
Coming with a twist-tie closure and a built-in antimicrobial product protection to neutralize bacteria and odors, these easy-to-close trash bags are bound to keep your donations smelling fresh and clean.
Killing 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, these disinfecting wipes are just the thing to help you wipe away dust and dirt from the areas you're decluttering.
Everything I learned after applying the 90/90 decluttering rule
1. I have more clothes than I need
I'm always searching for new and ingenious hacks to help me declutter my bedroom. For example, the 5-minute cleaning challenge is great for bursts of speedy tidying. While the capsule decluttering trick can help you maintain a capsule closet.
However the 90/90 decluttering rule has not only helped me say goodbye to my 'doom pile' or 'floordrobe', but it's also enabled me to let go of the items that no longer serve a purpose.
Buying clothes used to be one of my favorite pastimes. But after going through my wardrobe and making a pile of the clothes I haven’t worn in the past 90 days and have no intention to wear in the next three months, it cemented the fact that I have more clothes than one person could need. And this is especially the case now I work from home 75% of the time.
Due to my home-based role, I often wear many of the same sorts of clothes on repeat. From T-shirts and jumpers to gymwear and loungewear. While I haven't gotten rid of all my smart formal wear, I have managed to part with bundles of shirts, trousers and more formal blazers I was keeping for the sake of it.
2. Not everything in the sale is a ‘bargain’
Sale shopping always gives me a bit of a buzz. Who doesn't want to buy an item of clothing for 25% less than its original RRP? Personally speaking, it’s a surefire way to get an endorphin hit.
But after using the 90/90 decluttering challenge, I noticed a handful of the sale items I had bought had only been worn once – and in some cases, they hadn’t been worn at all! After realizing this, I’ll be making a conscious effort to only buy items that I need (and would have paid full price for). Not aimlessly sale shopping because items are discounted.
Personally speaking, being stricter on sale shopping has been one of the best closet decluttering tips for my wardrobe. Shopping more mindfully during sale season has kept my wardrobe from spiraling out of control. It's also helped me find and fall in love with clothing I've already got.
3. I value quality over quantity
The older I get and the more I learn about the impact that fast fashion has on the world, the less I want to shop. Nowadays, when I shop, I prefer to fill my home (and closet) with more sustainable fabrics and quality-led materials that will last and last.
After using this rule, one of the most valuable decluttering lessons I’ve learned is that I value quality over quality. I don’t want ‘stuff’ for the sake of it. Instead, I’ve learned less is more.
‘The 90/90 decluttering rule can be great for people trying to achieve the goal of minimalism,’ Hord adds. ‘I believe this is a great way to think of your items and if they are actually useful or beneficial in your life.’ If they're not, it's time to let them go.
For more closet organization ideas, discover the expert-approved tips for keeping your wardrobe neat and tidy. Or, if you’re considering adopting the less is more approach in your home, discover the decluttering strategies minimalists swear by.
