40 Items in 40 Days Challenge

Join the 40 Items in 40 Days Challenge. It's so simple!

This is a decluttering challenge that lasts for the 40 days of Lent in which you commit to removing 40 items of household clutter within that period.

If you want to ramp it up you can do 40 Bags in 40 Days. Instead of purging one item per day you can fill one grocery bag per day. Do whatever works for you.

This challenge started as a Lenten challenge. Lent is a period of 40 days, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (day before Easter). It is often a time of reflection, repentance and fasting in preparation for the coming of Easter. Many people choose to give up something they like as an act of sacrifice and discipline while others choose to give the gift of time and service to those in need.

Even though we are already a week into Lent, it’s not too late to join in the 40 Items in 40 Days Challenge. It’s a twist on the usual option of giving something up, and it's a really positive thing to do for your yourself and your home!

Here is a list of 40 items - Just 5 items per room

 5 items to declutter from your kitchen:

• Any food past its best before date

• Plastic containers with missing lids

• Cookbooks you simply don’t need or use

• Duplicate items that you don't need

• Those one off items that you have never got round to using: bread maker / ice cream maker etc…. we all have them!

5 items to declutter from your living room:

• DVDs and CDs that you no longer want

• Books you no longer want

• Decorative items that you no longer love

• Excess furniture

• Cushions and throws that don't fit your colour scheme

5 items to declutter from your bedroom:

• Visible clutter or anything that doesn’t promote relaxation

• TV's, computers and mobile phones… all hinder restful sleep

• Excessive decorative throw pillows

• Unhealthy plants

• Piles of clothing

5 items to declutter from your closet:

• Any clothing that doesn’t fit or that you don't feel great in

• Anything that is damaged, torn or missing buttons, etc

• Anything you haven’t worn in over a year (unless its a special occasion piece)

• Costume jewellery that you never wear

• Wire hangers from the dry cleaner

5 items to declutter from your bathroom:

• Any bottles of toiletries that you don't want

• Makeup that is past its prime

• Travel size toiletries

• Expired medicine (drop off at your pharmacy for safe disposal)

• Unused bathroom appliances and gadgets

5 items to declutter from your child's bedroom:

• Clothing they have outgrown

• Toys that they have outgrown or lost interest in

• Books that are below their reading level

• Socks that are missing their partner

• Dried out markers and art supplies

5 items to declutter from your linen closet:

• Excess bedding – keep 2 sets per bed

• Excess towels – The rule is 2 towels per person

• Mismatched or worn out towels

• Extra blankets or comforters you'll never use

• Worn out beach towels

5 items to declutter from your home office:

• Pens or markers that don’t work

• Junk mail / old paperwork etc… – shred or recycle

• Old electronic cords and cables

• Old magazines / newspapers

• Outdated or broken technology

Note: Apparently, you get a day off from Lenten resolutions on Sundays, so each week, you’re granted one day off from the challenge.

I hope that you have decided to join the 40 Items in 40 Days Challenge. By Easter Sunday (April Fools Day) you'll have gotten a jump on spring cleaning. You can donate many of your items to a local organization that serves those in need. Some of your items may be expired, broken or just no longer usable in which case you will need to recycle them or send them to the landfill.

Have you been inspired to declutter your home and life by joining the challenge? I’d love to know so please leave a comment below.