The 90/90 Rule: Letting Go of Items You Haven’t Used

Decluttering your space can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t require complex philosophies or emotional turmoil. The 90/90 rule offers a calm, practical filter for deciding what stays and what goes, cutting through the noise of “what if” and “someday.” This one-sentence thesis guides the entire process: If you haven’t used an item in the last 90 days and don’t foresee a specific, concrete need for it in the next 90 days, it’s time to let it go. This method is for anyone feeling burdened by their possessions and seeking a clear, action-oriented path to a lighter home.

What is the 90/90 Rule?

The 90/90 rule is a minimalist decision-making tool designed to create clarity around your belongings. It moves you from vague intentions to concrete actions. The first 90-day period looks backward, creating an objective record of an item’s utility. The second 90-day period looks forward, requiring you to envision a tangible, near-future use for it. This combination effectively neutralizes the two most common decluttering obstacles: sentimental attachment and hypothetical future scenarios.

This rule is powerful because it’s based on action, not emotion. You’re not deciding if you love an item; you’re deciding if you use it. This shift in focus makes the process less personal and more practical. It’s a question of function, not feeling. By applying this consistent standard to everything from kitchen gadgets to clothing, you build momentum and make progress without getting stuck in deliberation.

The timeframe is intentionally chosen. Ninety days is long enough to cover a full season, capturing items you might use only periodically. It’s also short enough to be realistic, preventing you from holding onto things for a “someday” that is years away. This rule isn’t about deprivation; it’s about liberation. It helps you identify the items that are actively serving your life and release the ones that are merely taking up space, waiting for a purpose that may never come.

How to Apply the Rule Correctly

Applying the 90/90 rule requires honesty and a systematic approach. Start by selecting a specific category or area, like your wardrobe or a single kitchen cabinet. Pull each item out and ask the two sequential questions. First, “Have I used this in the last 90 days?” Be brutally honest. If the answer is no, proceed to the second question: “Do I have a definite, planned use for this in the next 90 days?”

A definite use is not a vague “I might need it for a party” or “It could be useful for camping someday.” It is a specific plan, like “I am hosting a dinner party next Saturday and will use this serving platter” or “My hiking trip is booked for next month, and these boots are my only pair.” If you cannot articulate a concrete plan, the item has likely outlived its functional purpose in your life. The goal is to move from possibility to probability.

It’s crucial to handle sentimental items separately. Photographs, heirlooms, and meaningful gifts operate on a different value system than a waffle maker or a spare set of sheets. The 90/90 rule is best applied to utilitarian objects. For sentimental items, consider a different framework, like a memory box with a size limit, to honor their emotional value without letting them overrun your space.

Quick Steps

Choose a small, contained area to start (e.g., a drawer, a shelf).
Handle each item one by one.
Ask Question 1: “Used in the last 90 days?” If yes, it stays for now.
If no, ask Question 2: “Definite use in the next 90 days?” If yes, it stays.
If the answer to both is no, place the item immediately into a donation or discard box.
Do not second-guess yourself once the decision is made. Move on to the next item.

The Psychological Benefits of a Time-Based Rule

Using a time-based rule like the 90/90 method does more than clear physical clutter; it quiets mental clutter. The constant background noise of “I should really deal with that” or “I have too much stuff” diminishes as you take decisive action. Each item you let go based on a clear rule reinforces a sense of competence and control. You are making choices based on evidence of use, not on guilt, obligation, or fear of wasting money.

This process also retrains your brain to value present utility over past cost or future fantasy. The “sunk cost fallacy”—the feeling that you must keep something because you spent money on it—loses its power when confronted with the factual question of use. Similarly, the “just-in-case” mentality, which fuels anxiety about potential future needs, is calmed by the reasonable boundary of a 90-day window. You are not preparing for every conceivable scenario; you are equipping yourself for the life you are actually living.

Ultimately, this leads to a quieter mind. Your environment becomes a reflection of your current priorities and activities, not a museum of past hobbies or a warehouse for imagined futures. This alignment reduces subconscious stress and creates a more peaceful, intentional atmosphere. You spend less time managing your possessions and more time engaging in your life.

Example

Consider a bread machine tucked away in a pantry. You bought it with enthusiasm two years ago but used it only three times. The 90/90 rule applies: you haven’t used it in the last 90 days. When you look forward, you realize you don’t have a single specific plan to bake bread in the next 90 days. The fantasy of being a person who bakes bread weekly is confronted by the reality of your actual habits. Letting it go releases the subtle guilt associated with it and frees up valuable space.

Implementing Your 90/90 Declutter

A successful 90/90 declutter session depends on preparation and mindset. Gather your supplies before you start: several boxes or bags for donations, items to be discarded, and maybe one for things that need to be relocated elsewhere in the house. Set a timer for a manageable block of time, like 45 minutes. This prevents fatigue and decision paralysis. Focus on one category at a time to maintain clarity and momentum.

As you sort, move quickly. The rule is designed to make decisions fast. Don’t get bogged down trying to remember the exact last use of every item. A good-faith estimate is sufficient. If you truly can’t remember the last time you used something, it almost certainly fails the first test. Your immediate gut reaction is usually correct. Trust the process and the rule.

Deal with the outgoing items immediately. Place donation boxes in your car right after your session or schedule a pickup. Do not let them sit in a hallway or garage, becoming a new form of clutter. The entire point is to release items from your life, and prompt removal is the final, crucial step. This creates a clean finish and allows you to fully enjoy the benefits of your newly decluttered space.

What to Do With the “Let Go” Items

Once you’ve identified items that don’t pass the 90/90 test, you have several responsible options. Donation is often the best choice for items in good condition. Charities, thrift stores, and community shelters can give your unused possessions a new life with someone who needs them. This can make the process of letting go feel more positive and purposeful.

For broken, stained, or otherwise unusable items, recycling or proper disposal is the responsible path. Holding onto broken items “for parts” is just another version of clutter and usually fails the 90/90 test itself. For items with potential value, consider selling them in a batch on a local marketplace. However, be cautious: if items don’t sell within a set timeframe, donate them anyway. Don’t let the potential for a small amount of money reintroduce clutter into your home.

Your Pre-Declutter Checklist

Before you begin, use this short list of practical steps to ensure a smooth and effective session.

Designate boxes for Donate, Discard, and Relocate before you start.
Start with an easy, low-emotion category like linens or tools to build confidence.
Set a timer to maintain focus and avoid burnout.
Handle each item only once—make a decision and place it in the corresponding box.
Remove donation and discard boxes from your home within 24 hours of finishing.
Acknowledge your progress and enjoy the newfound space and clarity.

Conclusion

The 90/90 rule transforms decluttering from an emotional challenge into a practical, almost clinical, exercise. It provides a clear yes-or-no framework that respects your time and reduces mental fatigue. By focusing on actual use rather than perceived value, you create a home that contains only what is relevant and useful to your current life. Your single, clear actionable takeaway is to choose one drawer or shelf today and apply the two questions to every item inside.