How The 20/20 Rule Simplifies Decluttering

Decluttering can feel incredibly overwhelming. Whenever I used to look at my crowded countertops and stuffed-to-the-brim dresser drawers, I was filled with dread as I imagined a gargantuan task that would take endless days to tackle.

But the reality is that tidying and reducing clutter doesn’t necessarily have to be such a huge ordeal. There are even some helpful strategies that can simplify the process ― like the “20/20 rule,” which totally transformed how I look at my home and belongings.

Below, professional organizers break down this approach to decluttering, how it works, the types of items it applies to and tips for using it without creating more stress.

“The 20/20 rule in decluttering suggests that if an item can be replaced in 20 minutes and for $20 or less, it’s generally safe to let it go,” said professional organizer Regina Lark. “The purpose of the rule is to ease anxiety around the fear of needing something in the future. I think it can be a helpful mindset shift, especially for people who tend to hold on to things ‘just in case.’”

So if you’re holding on to extra pads of sticky notes (even though you never really use sticky notes) or an old pair of earbuds that aren’t even compatible with your current devices, just ask yourself two questions: Can I acquire a replacement for less than $20? Can I find it quickly at a local store or online in under 20 minutes? If the answer to both is yes, then the rule dictates that you should not hold on to the item.

“The 20/20 Rule works best for ‘just in case’ items ― things we hold onto for a future that hasn’t arrived,” echoed Katie Hubbard of Turn It Tidy. “If an item hasn’t been used and can be easily and affordably replaced, letting it go can free up valuable space.”

She believes the rule is especially useful when you’re moving.

“A new home is a fresh start, and bringing unused, easily replaceable items often adds unnecessary clutter,” Hubbard said. “Most of the time, once you move, you never miss them.”

“The main benefit of the 20/20 rule is that it reduces decision fatigue and helps people move forward more easily,” Lark said. “It can work if you work it. It can keep anxiety low, and support progress toward a goal, particularly with everyday items that are inexpensive and easily replaceable.”

This rule is helpful for people who are holding onto lots of random things that they don’t actually use.

“The idea is that, as I say, these things are not ‘earning their keep,’ taking up valuable real estate in your home, while providing little value,” said Lisa Zaslow, professional organizer with Gotham Organizers. “That second can opener in a cluttered kitchen drawer? This rule applies.”

Following this framework can also expedite the decluttering process.

“Benefits of the 20/20 rule include faster decision-making, less emotional weight during decluttering and reduced clutter without overthinking,” Hubbard said.

“Physical and mental clutter can feel very permanent and, therefore, also more valuable,” said Dina Smith, a professional organizer and founder of Closet Therapy with Dina. “The 20/20 rule reminds us that things are replaceable. This mindset also helps clients avoid future regret. Taking the ‘life or death’ stress out of decluttering makes it less emotionally draining.”

Those who anguish over every little item can especially benefit from this approach.

“It helps motivate certain people to move more quickly when making decisions,” said Julie Naylon of No Wire Hangers Professional Organizing.

“As a professional organizer, I believe this rule can be helpful, but it’s not one-size-fits-all,” Hubbard said. “Every person, lifestyle, and situation is different, so I’m always mindful of when and how this rule is used.”

She noted that the 20/20 rule assumes replacing items is easy, which isn’t the case for everyone.

“Time, mobility, stress and budget all matter,” Hubbard said. “Replacing multiple items can also add up quickly, especially for those on fixed or tight incomes. Take a moment and think, 10 items needing to be replaced can cost $200. That may be more than some can afford.”

Naylon believes that the 20/20 approach, like many decluttering “rules,” can sometimes cause more stress.

“One downside would be a slowdown in making decisions,” she said. “Some might start overthinking by looking items up online, or calculating all of the money.”

“Also, in these times, what items cost under $20?” Naylon added. “This rule might work well for a small junk drawer, but beyond that, I’m not sure how beneficial it is.”

For those with financial stress or trauma, the 20/20 rule is not the most realistic. It may also pose a challenge to people in remote areas with less access to stores.

“It can also oversimplify decisions that carry emotional weight,” Lark said. “Clutter decisions are often emotional, not logical, and a simple rule can’t fully address issues like attachment, memory or past experiences with scarcity.”

Such a logic-based approach can feel dismissive of the real emotional attachments people have with certain belongings.

“I find it is best not to use this rule when making choices about sentimental items,” Hubbard said. “Take extra time to really weigh options when memories are involved.”

If you’re interested in trying out the 20/20 rule in your decluttering journey, there are some best practices to keep in mind.

“Take it as a suggestion to keep in mind, but not a hard ‘rule,’” Naylon said. “Remember that if you are holding on to items you think might need one day, a better way to frame it would be ‘How easy would it be to replace this item? And is it an item I could borrow from someone if I needed it?’”

Apply this concept selectively and focus on learning to trust your instincts and decisions. Lark recommended starting with items that feel emotionally neutral to get in the decluttering groove.

“The rule works best for duplicates, tools or miscellaneous household items, rather than sentimental belongings,” she said. “Think of these as first steps to build confidence, not a test you have to pass. I also encourage people to consider the hidden cost of keeping an item ― the space it takes up, the visual clutter, and the mental energy required to manage it ― which is often greater than the cost of replacing it later if needed.”

Tova Weinstock, the professional organizer behind Tidy Tova, believes the 20/20 rule should be used only as a fallback or last resort option when you get stuck in the decluttering process.

“Try to listen to the true voice in your head and be honest with yourself in the process,” she said. “Honesty while still respecting your belongings will serve you better in the long term. If a client applies a 20/20 rule, decluttering can quickly become very wasteful, and it can lead to a looser approach when buying things in the first place.”

Instead, she recommended taking a more mindful approach to accumulating and discarding items. This will help cut down on the need to declutter in the first place.

“If belongings are viewed as more sacred ― and not just ‘easy to replace’ ― we can all start being more careful about purchases to begin with,” Weinstock said. “And that will lead us all to have less clutter overall!”