I genuinely enjoy tidying up and putting things in order, so I’m always eager to experiment with the latest cleaning or organizing tricks. I’ve tried Marie Kondo’s famous folding technique (my drawers are now a visual delight!), used budget-friendly glass cleaner from the dollar store to freshen up my car seats (surprisingly effective!), and even attempted cleaning my blinds in the bathtub (not worth the hassle).
So when I discovered FlyLady—a well-known cleaning expert who’s been sharing her method since 2001—I couldn’t resist diving in. Her approach goes beyond a single tip or gimmick. Her website is packed with advice on cleaning and time management, including a daily rule to keep your kitchen sink gleaming.
FlyLady, also known as Marla Cilley, promotes the idea of dividing your cleaning into zones and manageable tasks. She reminds followers, “Your house didn’t get messy overnight, and it won’t be spotless in a day either.”
The goal, according to FlyLady, is to remove the stress from cleaning. By sticking to her structured routines, both daily and weekly, the process becomes far less overwhelming.
Each day starts with getting fully dressed to boost motivation. Then it’s time to shine the sink, unload the dishwasher, and run a load of laundry.
She also champions the idea of a “weekly home blessing hour,” which includes seven rapid tasks—each just ten minutes long: vacuuming, dusting, mopping, wiping mirrors, sorting papers, changing sheets, and emptying the trash.
“Don’t overthink it—just set a timer for ten minutes per task and stop when it rings!” FlyLady advises.
But the real game-changer? According to her, you shouldn’t begin cleaning until the clutter is gone. Her go-to solution: a simple 15-minute daily decluttering session.
What Is the 15-Minute FlyLady Decluttering Method?
Just set a timer for 15 minutes and start clearing the clutter—no more, no less!
Using a timer keeps you focused, preventing you from getting sidetracked by less urgent tasks like wiping baseboards when your goal was to toss out old mail. Plus, the short time frame makes it easier to stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.
FlyLady recommends rotating through five specific areas of your home each week: the entryway, kitchen, guest bathroom or guest room, master bedroom and bathroom, and the living or TV room. Dedicating a quarter of an hour daily to one of these zones adds up quickly—before long, you’ll notice your entire home becoming more organized and clutter-free.
Does This Decluttering Method Work?
Fifteen minutes is manageable for anyone—and you might be amazed at how much you can get done in that short span.
Concentrating on a single space each day helps you steadily move forward, and sticking to one zone forces you to confront those forgotten clutter hotspots: the crammed linen closet, the avalanche of mismatched food containers, or that infamous junk drawer in the kitchen. Bit by bit, these problem areas become tidy and under control.
Should You Try This Decluttering Method?
If certain spots in your home always get overlooked or you feel paralyzed by the sheer size of the task, FlyLady’s 15-minute decluttering method can be a game-changer.
Admittedly, for those of us who like to power through a project until it’s finished, stopping after just 15 minutes can feel frustrating. Once I’m in the groove, I hate to hit pause! But the built-in time limit has its upside—it helps prevent an all-day organizing marathon that derails the rest of my schedule.
What About the Other FlyLady Lessons?
In addition to her popular 15-minute decluttering method, FlyLady offers a variety of practical strategies to help keep your home tidy and manageable. Here are a few standout techniques:
Swish and Swipe: One of FlyLady’s simplest but most effective habits is a quick daily bathroom tidy-up. Keep a bottle of your preferred glass cleaner and some paper towels in the bathroom. After your morning routine, take just a minute to rinse the sink and wipe it down, spritz and clean the mirror and countertop. It’s a small task that, done consistently, keeps your bathroom looking fresh with minimal effort.
The 27 Fling Boogie: This fun and fast-paced method helps eliminate clutter quickly. Grab a trash bag and walk through your home collecting exactly 27 items to toss—no stopping until you hit your goal. Once that’s done, take a box and find 27 things to donate. Put the box straight into your car so it’s ready for your next donation drop-off. Simple, fast, and effective.
Shine Your Sink: Feeling overwhelmed by a messy home? Start with the kitchen sink. FlyLady believes that creating a clean, gleaming sink gives you a sense of order and momentum. Clearing and shining the sink might feel like a small victory, but it sets the tone for the rest of your day. As FlyLady puts it, “When you wake up the next morning, your shiny sink will be there to greet you—and it just might make you smile.”