The ‘Didn’t Know’ Rule Is Pure Decluttering Genius

Saying that decluttering is hard might be the understatement of the century. Sifting through items you have an emotional attachment to can be exhausting and time-consuming, but what about those items you totally forgot about? You know the ones: the T-shirt you bought three years ago that still has a tag on it or the four extra pairs of scissors that were hiding in your desk. The “Didn’t Know” Rule is the ultimate permission slip to toss or donate those surprise finds.

“This simple yet powerful technique encourages you to let go of items you didn’t even remember owning,” says Meaghan Kessman, founder of Meaghan Kessman Home Organization based in Los Angeles. “The logic is simple: if you haven’t missed it, you probably don’t need it.” Read up on some of the most common culprits so you know where to start on your journey to rid your home of those superfluous items.

Kitchen Gadgets

You know that strawberry huller you bought but never used? What about the bundt pan shaped like a train car? We tend to accumulate lots of kitchen things over time, but again, if you didn’t know you had it, it’s time to donate it.

Office Supplies

“Extra cords, unused pens, and notebooks hiding in drawers are begging to be decluttered,” Kessman says. We’d also like to nominate stationery you’ve never touched.

Forgotten Clothes

This happens more than you’d think. You buy a dress or a new suit for a family wedding, and then put it away for a future special occasion that never seems to come up. Kessman also recommends taking a look at outdated workwear, or pieces you’ve outgrown and therefore shoved into the nether regions of your closet. “This rule makes parting with them a breeze,” she says.

Holiday Decor

This is another category of stuff we tend to pick up haphazardly. You see a cute felt garland near the checkout line and grab it and then totally forget about it the next year. When emptying your holiday stash, take a hard look at the things that aren’t part of your core family memories or traditions. If you didn’t remember owning (and don’t want to use) that Santa-shaped cookie plate, it’s time to part ways.

Craft Supplies

Remember in 2020 when you got really into weaving? No, just me? Anyway, if you went all-in on a hobby only to ditch it a few months later and never think about it again, this stuff is prime for donating to a local school or organization. When you come across those spools of yarn thinking, “I still have these?” you know what to do.

Pet Stuff

Pet stuff isn’t always the best looking, which is why we tend to shove it all in a bin or box to be dealt with much later. Go through your pup’s treasure trove and ID any toys or clothes you don’t recognize. Reach out to a local animal shelter to see if they might want them.