The KonMari Method is a popular tidying and organizing system created by Japanese organizing consultant and author, Marie Kondo.The KonMari method is based on sorting items by category, not by location, and only keeping things that "spark joy." The checklist breaks down the entire home into 5 main categories and 30 smaller, manageable steps. 30-day checklist for applying The KonMari Method (created by Marie Kondo) to declutter and tidy a home.
Explanation of The KonMari 30-Day Checklist
The checklist organizes the entire tidying festival into five sequential categories, which is the core principle of the KonMari Method.Marie Kondo outlines these six rules for a successful "Tidying Festival":
Commit yourself to tidying up (all at once, not gradually).
Imagine your ideal lifestyle (clarify why you want to tidy).
Finish discarding first (do not focus on storage until you know what you are keeping).
Tidy by category, not by location.
Follow the correct order.
Ask yourself if it sparks joy.
Proper Storage
Once you have only the items that spark joy, you move to the final step: organization.
Give every single item a specific, designated home.
Vertical Folding: Clothes are folded in a unique way into small, compact rectangles so they can be stored vertically (like files in a cabinet) instead of stacked, making every item visible.
Minimal Stacking: Items should not be stacked high, as this hides what is underneath and makes access difficult.
Category 1: Clothes (Days 1–5)
This is the recommended starting category. The key is to gather all clothes from every location in the house (closets, drawers, laundry piles) into one place before sorting.
Adult Clothes
Adult Shoes & Accessories
Children's Clothes
Children's Shoes & Accessories
Seasonal Items (Gloves, Costumes, Swimwear, etc.)
Category 2: Books (Days 6–9)
Like clothes, gather all books from the house before starting.
General Books
Practical Books (Textbooks, Phone Books & Cookbooks)
Visual Books & Magazines
Children's Books
Category 3: Paper (Days 10–13)
Paper is notoriously difficult for many people, so the method suggests keeping very little. The checklist highlights the three main types of paper you should keep, and only for a limited time, or indefinitely for crucial documents.
Medical Records
Contracts, Insurance Warranties & Instruction Manuals
Financial Documents (including Bills, Receipts, Coupons)
Notes & Business Cards
Category 4: Komono (Miscellaneous Items) (Days 14–24)
"Komono" is the Japanese word for miscellaneous items. This is the largest and most varied category, often tackled over several days.
CDs, DVDs, Video Games & Entertainment
Skincare & Makeup Products
Accessories
Valuables
Electrical Equipment & Appliances
Household Equipment & Supplies
Food
Kitchen Utensils & Food Supplies
Linens
Children's Toys & Other Items
Craft/Hobby Supplies & Gift Wrap
Category 5: Sentimental (Days 25–30)
This is the final, and most emotionally difficult, category. You save it for last because by this point, you've practiced your "spark joy" muscle on easier categories.
Photos, Albums, Scrapbooks & Yearbooks
Special Event Items (Wedding, Baby Shower, etc.)
Journals, Cards & Letters
Awards, Memorabilia, Souvenirs & Trophies
Heirlooms & Passed Down Items
Children's Art Projects & Keepsakes
What to Do with Discarded Items
The bottom of the checklist offers a crucial step: a guide for donating the items that didn't "spark joy." It emphasizes considering where the items will do the most good:
Animal Rescues & Shelters
Domestic Violence Shelters
Homeless Shelters
Local Library
Men's & Women's Shelters
Non-Profit Organizations
Police & Fire Departments
Veterans Organizations
