The “26 Before 26” Decluttering Challenge: A Fast Track to a Tidy Home

Feeling overwhelmed by clutter in your Chicago apartment or home? You’re not alone. Between work, life, and the hustle of the city, finding time for a proper tidy-up can feel impossible. But what if you could make a huge dent in the mess in just a few minutes? Let’s play a quick, effective game that will leave your space feeling lighter and more organized.

Sometimes, the hardest part of cleaning is just knowing where to start. This simple, no-fuss challenge is the perfect kickstart. It’s not about a massive, all-day overhaul—it’s about quick wins that add up to a cleaner, calmer living space. Ready? Let’s dive in.

How the Challenge Works

The rules are beautifully simple. All you need is one bag or box and about 10-15 minutes. Your mission: race through your home and find 26 items you can part with immediately. These aren’t sentimental treasures; they’re the everyday clutter that’s quietly stealing your space and peace of mind.

This is a fantastic first step before a more thorough apartment cleaning session, or a great way to maintain that fresh-cleaned feeling between professional visits.

What to Look For: Your 26-Item Hit List

Stuck on what to toss? Run through these common clutter culprits. You’ll be surprised how quickly you hit your target.

1. The Kitchen & Bathroom Graveyard

These rooms are prime real estate for expired and empty items.

• Expired Products: That Metamucil you bought years ago “just in case”? It’s expired. That fancy salad dressing from last summer? Definitely past its prime. Out they go.
• Empty Containers: We all do it—leave that empty shampoo bottle in the shower. Toss it! Getting rid of these empties is a core part of any effective deep cleaning help for your bathroom.
• Worn-Out Linens: That ripped, stained towel from your college days? You’re a grown-up now. Thank it for its service and let it go.

2. The “I Might Need This Someday” Pile

Be ruthless with these items. Future you will thank present you for the clear space.

• Excessive Multiples: How many pairs of reading glasses does one person need? Keep your favorite pair and donate the rest.
• Old Cards & Mail: Holiday cards, old invitations, expired coupons. Take a quick photo for the memory if you must, then recycle them.
• Non-Fitting Clothes: That shirt that just “shows off the bat wings,” or those jeans you’re saving for a mythical future weight loss? If it doesn’t make you feel good now, it’s clutter. Donate it.

3. Straight-Up Trash & Random Bits

This is the low-hanging fruit that makes an instant visual difference.

• Broken items you’ve been meaning to fix for a year.
• Empty pots for plants that didn’t make it.
• Takeout menus for restaurants that closed.
• Random cords and chargers for devices you no longer own.

You Did It! Now What?

Once your bag is full, tie it up and take it straight to the trash or donation bin. Don’t let it sit by the door! To celebrate and inspire others, snap a quick picture of your 26 items and share it online with the hashtag #26Before26.

Feel that sense of accomplishment? Imagine that feeling multiplied across your entire home. If tackling this challenge made you realize you need more comprehensive cleaning services in Chicago, you’re not alone. Sometimes, we all need a little backup.

When to Call in the Pros

This challenge is a brilliant start, but maintaining a truly clean home requires consistent effort. If your schedule is packed, investing in a reliable Chicago cleaning company can be a game-changer. Instead of searching for a “cleaning service near me,” you can rely on a trusted local team.

Whether you need regular maintenance after your decluttering spree or a one-time reset, fast cleaning services can handle the heavy lifting. It’s the easiest way to get your space cleaned thoroughly and efficiently, giving you back your most valuable resource: time.

Want to play a game with me? We are going to declutter 26 things right now. Super easy. Grab a bag or a box, run around your house, and look for 26 items that can go. It could be literal trash. Or like, here’s some ideas. That metamucil you bought 4 years ago when you couldn’t poop. It’s definitely expired now. It’s got to go. I know for a freaking fact you have an empty shampoo bottle. How about that ripped old stained towel? You are no longer a college student. You are a real for real grown-up. Those towels are leaving. I know we’re half blind, but we don’t need this many reading glasses. Empty pots. Expired salad dressing. Christmas cards right in the trash. Even if I lost the 5 lbs I gained from eating a box of turtles non-stop for the past week, this shirt just shows off my bat wings. So, if you have clothes that don’t fit, goodbye. Once you’ve gathered your 26 things, take a picture and share it for other people to be inspired. Use the hashtag26 before 26 and together we will have a clutter-free amazing new