Some organizing methods are simply fads, fun to try out but not necessarily practical to fit into your lifestyle longterm. Others, however, have staying power and can be used over and over again. One method that falls under this category is the 90/90 rule. It’s a simple yet effective way to declutter—and we’re keeping it in our toolbox to pull out whenever we need it. Here’s how professional organizers say they use the 90/90 rule with their clients—and the best ways to implement it to organize nearly every space in your home.
What Is the 90/90 Rule?
Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space, tells me the 90/90 Rule is one of her favorite simple-but-powerful tools to help people decide what to keep and what to let go of.
The rule, which was created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, works like this: Ask yourself if you’ve used an item in the past 90 days or plan to use it in the next 90 days. If the answer is no to both, you should get rid of it.
“I like [this rule] because it takes a lot of the emotion and overthinking out of decluttering,” Duckworth says. “Instead of debating the what-ifs or keeping things just in case, it gives you a clear framework to work from. It’s not about being extreme or living like a minimalist, it’s just a way to get real about what’s actually serving you in your day-to-day life,” explains the pro organizer.
Having Trouble Getting Rid of Things? The 90/90 Rule Is For You
Decluttering is one of the biggest aspects of organization that many people struggle with. We often want to hold on to too many things, and we simply don’t have the space or capacity for all of it. That’s why Hillary Forst, pro organizer and co-founder of Sorted & Styled, often uses this method with clients who have this challenge. “At Sorted & Styled, we’ve seen every variation of the ‘I might use it someday’ excuse, whether it’s clothes or extra pieces of an Ikea cabinet you built for your last house,” she says. “Getting rid of stuff is hard for some people, and we have gently coaxed clients past that mental block more times than we can count. The 90/90 trick is one of our favorite tricks—a simple, almost magical way to make decisions about what stays and what goes.”
While many people may think of the 90/90 rule as something to declutter their wardrobes, it can be used for many other spaces throughout the home. “It’s especially helpful for high-turnover categories, like home decor, craft supplies, or workout gear, because those are the areas where clutter builds up before you even realize it,” says Duckworth.
A Good Alternative to the 90/90 Rule
If the 90/90 Rule isn’t something that exactly resonates with you, Forst advises asking yourself if you’d buy that item again. “If their immediate thought is, definitely not, I think we have our answer here,” she says.
That’s because both these sets of questions keep you in reality. “The 90/90 rule is brilliant because it removes the emotional tug of war from decision-making,” Forst says. “Instead of dwelling on the ‘what ifs,’ you focus on the truth of how you live now. It’s fast, it’s clear, and it leaves you surrounded by things that earn their place.”
But There Are Exceptions to the Rule
According to Leslie Kilgour, professional organizer and founder of Get It Straight, while the 90/90 Rule is useful for many things, it can’t be applied to absolutely every item in your home. “Your ski jacket, camping gear, graduation robes—those are ‘sometimes’ items with a purpose, even if they sit untouched most of the year,” she says.
And unless you go to a lot of fancy events, most of us also can’t apply the rule to formalwear, explains Forst. “Event dresses, suits, and tuxedos are expensive, and replacing them for a single event would cost far more than storing them,” she says. So those can get a pass from 90/90 rule.
Lastly, Kilgour tells me another exception to the 90/90 Rule is sentimental items. “No one’s asking you to apply this to your grandma’s quilt or the postcards your best friend sent from abroad,” she says. “Those need their own space and their own rules.”
The 90/90 rule works best for items that you keep on hand thinking you’ll start wearing or using them someday, but never do. With more of these items out of the house, you’ll have more room for those exceptions to the rule—and the things you love and use often.
