Why You Should Follow This 30-Minute Method to Declutter Any Drawer in Your Home

Junk drawers are home to far more than just “junk” items. It’s where you store your odds and ends that ultimately mean something to you. But because it’s a spot where miscellaneous things gather, it can often become super messy. Fortunately, a quick decluttering session can snap it back into shape. Here’s how.

The assignment is simple: Tackle one messy drawer in 30 minutes (or 15 minutes if you’re feeling speedy, or an hour if you need more time). For a successful clear-out, follow these steps to declutter and organize your junk drawer.

1. Take everything out — and we mean everything.
2. Put items through the five-question assessment and utilize your outboxes for things you want to relocate/revisit, donate, or sell (if any).
3. Throw away any trash or unwanted items.
4. Put everything back in an organized fashion. 

PRO TIP: If you notice anything sentimental that’s worth reevaluating, make sure to set this aside from your outboxes. We’ll get to those much later in the Decluttering Cure program. 

Did you find anything interesting in your junk drawer? Tell us about it in our community forum!

• Sign up for email updates.
• Visit the 2025 Decluttering Cure page and catch up on assignments.
• Download the Decluttering Cure calendar.
• Join the conversation by checking out the Decluttering Cure board in our community forum.
• Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall Decluttering Cure progress here!
• See all the winners from our 2025 Organization Awards to get your home organized. 

The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.