How to Make the Most of the '30 Bags in 30 Days' Decluttering Challenge

Decluttering your home always sounds like a good idea—until you’re knee-deep in piles of belongings, wondering how you ended up with so much in the first place. The "30 Bags in 30 Days" challenge is a viral method that promises both an approachable and effective alternative. Rather than tackling your whole house at once, this challenge breaks decluttering into manageable daily goals, resulting in a lighter, more intentional space.

If the idea of filling 30 bags in a month feels daunting, take a deep breath. With the right approach—and a bit of strategy—you can actually enjoy the process, while saying goodbye to items that no longer serve you.

The 30 Bags in 30 Days Challenge, Explained

With the 30 Bags in 30 Days challenge, every day for thirty days, you fill one bag with items you no longer need. The bags can be large or small, and the items can be anything from old clothes and worn-out linens to expired pantry goods or miscellaneous clutter hiding in junk drawers. By the end of the month, you’ll have thirty bags ready to donate, recycle, or discard.

Along with a cleaner, lighter home, you’ll also have gained habits that make maintaining it easier. Your kitchen counters will feel clearer, your closets more breathable, and your living spaces more intentional.

Why the 30 Bags in 30 Days Challenge Works

Instead of trying to overhaul your entire house in a weekend (a recipe for burnout), this method of decluttering allows you to make consistent, manageable progress. 30 bags is a large goal, but broken into daily increments, it feels actually achievable.

Its social media origins are proof: Users from different backgrounds and varying lifestyles recommend and praise the challenge for just how doable it is. “The 30 Bags in 30 Days challenge is flexible and can be adjusted to your needs.” says one Tiktoker. “Most people use grocery-sized bags or small trash bags to keep the task manageable.”

Home-organizing influencer @lauren.clutter found it’s a useful way to get the whole family involved with decluttering. The process is simple and quick enough to hold the attention span of even little ones.

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How to Start the 30 Bags in 30 Days Challenge

Grab your bags, set your start date, and begin! 30 days from now, you’ll be amazed at how much lighter your home—and your mind—feels.

Step 1: Set a Start Date

First, choose your 30 days. Any time of year is suitable, but choose a time when a reset feels natural. For most, it’s the beginning of the month, at the start of a new season or school year, or at the very beginning of the new year. 

Step 2: Gather Your Bags

Decide on your definition of a bag in this case. Grocery bags, reusable totes, or small trash bags all count and are great options. When choosing a size, remember to toe the line between challenging yourself and keeping the process possible. For example, filling a full-size garbage bag every single day may be too lofty of a goal.

And while you don’t have to have 30 bags all ready to go at the start, it’s smart to gather a few and store them somewhere accessible. It'll streamline the process if you can just grab and go. 

Step 3: Define Your Categories

While you’re free to choose the areas of your home to declutter as you go, it’s always better to go at it with a plan. Sit down with a pen or paper (your phone works, too, but having a visual reminder can be particularly helpful), and plan for an area to declutter for each of the 30 days. This will serve to guide you throughout the challenge—the less you have to think about the challenge as you're doing it, the better.

Think beyond closets. The challenge works across your entire home: bathrooms, garages, pantries, craft areas, and even digital clutter if you apply the principle to your inbox. Need some inspiration? Try the schedule below for your first week.

• Day 1: Your junk drawer
• Day 2: Kitchen pantry
• Day 3: Kitchen drawers
• Day 4: Coat closet
• Day 5: All nightstands
• Day 6: Under the bathroom sink
• Day 7: Your books/bookshelves

Step 4: Declutter with Intention

The goal isn’t simply to fill bags for the sake of it—it’s to make thoughtful decisions about what stays in your home. When decluttering each day, ask yourself the following questions if stuck on an item.

• Do I use this regularly?
• Does this serve a purpose?
• Would I buy this again today?

If all answers point to no, into the bag it goes.

Tips for Actually Finishing

Like any personal or social challenge, enthusiasm can wane midway through. These strategies help you stay the course for the whole 30 days.

• Start Small: The first few days should feel easy and achievable. Try clearing out your junk drawer, bathroom toiletries, or never-to-be-read books from your shelves. Early wins should help keep you motivated.
  
• Mix Quick Wins with Bigger Projects: Alternate between light days and heavier lifts. For example, follow a major closet clean-out with a simpler drawer or nightstand edit.
  
• Set Daily Reminders: Add an alarm to your phone or post a calendar or checklist somewhere you’ll see it every day. A single setback can feel devastating, so don’t let the challenge slip through the cracks of a busy week.
  
• Move On: If you miss a day, don’t let it ruin the entirety of the challenge. Continue on the next day as usual so as not to lose your progress or momentum.
• Celebrate Milestones: Every week or 10 days, reward yourself—maybe with fresh flowers for your newly cleared dining table or baking something special in a well-organized kitchen. These wins deserve to be celebrated!