If decluttering feels like a chore, turn it into a game, Literally. Welcome to Decluttering Bingo, a fun, low-stress way to clean out your home one square at a time. Instead of trying to overhaul the garage or tackle the basement in one exhausting weekend, this approach gives you small, satisfying wins that keep you motivated. You might even find yourself smiling as you go.
It’s decluttering made light, and it just might change how you feel about your stuff.
Why Decluttering Can Feel So Overwhelming
The average American home has over 300,000 items, according to the Los Angeles Times. That includes everything from spoons and shoes to sentimental keepsakes and expired coupons hiding in the back of drawers.
For adults over 55, that number often grows due to decades of accumulation, items inherited from family members, and the ever-present “just in case” mindset.
“I didn’t know where to begin,” says Phyllis, 67 from Ohio. “So I never started. But with Decluttering Bingo, I had a plan. It felt doable.”
What Is Decluttering Bingo?
Decluttering Bingo works like regular bingo, but instead of numbers, each square has a simple, specific task such as:
- Clear out one kitchen drawer
- Toss expired spices
- Donate three items from the closet
- Recycle old magazines
- Delete 20 emails
- Organize your junk drawer
- Toss five unmatched socks
- Sort through one bookshelf
- Shred old documents
You can print a bingo card, sketch one in a notebook, or use sticky notes. Each time you complete a task, you check it off. The goal is to complete a row, column, diagonal, or even the entire board.
Why It Works
Decluttering Bingo breaks down a big task into bite-sized steps, making it easier to get started. It also adds a bit of fun and lightness to a process that can feel emotionally heavy. By taking small, manageable actions, it helps seniors avoid feeling overwhelmed, sidesteps perfectionism by removing the pressure to do everything at once, and provides a built-in structure that reduces procrastination and keeps motivation high. A study from the National Institute on Aging found that older adults respond well to structured, goal-oriented activities at home. Decluttering Bingo fits that model perfectly.
How to Make Your Own Decluttering Bingo Card
- Draw a 5×5 grid or download a printable version from ZestYears.
- Fill each square with a mix of simple and moderate tasks.
- Keep it somewhere visible like the fridge or your nightstand.
- Pick one square a day, or challenge a friend and race to a bingo.
Want to make it even more fun? Set small rewards for your progress. After completing a row, treat yourself to a fancy coffee. Finish the entire card and enjoy a new houseplant or a lunch out. Even simple rewards, like finally having a drawer that opens easily after clearing it, can make the process feel satisfying and motivating.
Bingo Tasks to Try
Here are a few ideas to get your board started:
- Recycle 10 pieces of junk mail
- Toss two chipped mugs
- Go through one makeup bag or drawer
- Donate a handbag you haven’t used in a year
- Delete 10 phone photos
- Clear one bathroom shelf
- Match all your socks and toss the rest
- Organize plastic containers and find their lids
- Let go of a cookbook you never use
- Dust a forgotten shelf or windowsill
“I made it a competition with my daughter,” says Ron, 71. “We each did a bingo card. The loser had to cook dinner for the winner. It actually made decluttering… fun.”
