Day 23 – Decluttering the Top Shelf

This post may contain affiliate links provided for your convenience. We earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page. I am also an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases Read my full disclosure policy.

Sharing is caring!

Welcome to Day 23 of 31 Days of 10-minute Decluttering Tips Challenge.  Each day our goal is to eliminate things we don’t need from our lives and home so that we have room to better enjoy life. Today we’ll be tackling that top shelf that you never look at. Let’s start clearing clutter

lined notebook paper with paperclip and "day 23 top shelf in pantry or closet" typed

We all have a top shelf somewhere that we never get to when it’s cleaning or purging time. We  shove store things up there and forget about them. But not today. Today we’ll be grabbing a stool and heading to that shelf, wherever it is in your house. 

Clearing Clutter – Tips for Purging the Top Shelf in the Pantry or a Closet

Grab the 6 purging bags you created earlier along with a stool and head to your pantry or closet. On your way, swing by your printer and pick up your free printable Purging Clutter Checklist. 

Take Everything Out- But only take out as much as you can go through in 10 minutes. You can come back to the other items another time you have 10 minutes. Lay the items you take out on a counter, table, bed or the floor.

Group Like Items Together – Quickly group like items together. If you have things shoved stored in a box, then open the box and lay those items out. 

Evaluate – Look at each group you’ve created. Are there any categories you don’t need? Are there any items that are broken, torn, stained or out of style? Are there any items you need to return to their rightful owner? 

Purge – Remove items you don’t need to keep and place them in one of your 6 purging bags. Be ruthless because you’ll have to put everything back away on that shelf, so make it as easy as possible on yourself. 

Put Everything Away – Put the items you’ve decided to keep back away.

More Closet Storage Ideas

3 Steps to an Organized Linen Closet – These ideas will help with any closet organization.

A DIY Clothes Storage Box is perfect for storing items on that top shelf to keep them dust free and looking pretty.

Deep Pantry Organization Ideas – More than 130 deep pantry organization ideas, products and DIY projects to make your pantry functional and beautiful.

neatly organized pantry

Closet Shelf Storage Products

When searching for closet shelf storage tools, focus on ones with sturdy and durable materials such as metal wire or solid wood that can withstand the weight of your items without buckling or bending.

A well-organized closet should maximize vertical space while still providing easy access to items.

Before you start purchasing products, make sure to measure your closet space accurately and consider how much storage you need. Measure twice and purchase once.

Adjustable shelving can be a game-changer, allowing you to customize the space based on your storage needs.

Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags (Jumbo 2 Pack)
$22.41 ($11.20 / Count)

Save 80% on Clothes Storage Space

Vacuum Sealer Bags for Comforters, Blankets, Bedding, Clothing - Compression Seal for Closet Storage.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:28 pm GMT
Large Storage Bags
$19.48 ($3.25 / Count)

6 Pack Clothes Storage Bins

Foldable Closet Organizers with Durable Handles for Clothing, Blanket, Comforters, Bed Sheets, Pillows and Toys

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/12/2024 06:42 am GMT
Drop Front Plastic Shoe Box
$39.99 ($6.66 / Count)

Set of 6 and Stackable

Easy Assemble

Fit up to US Size 12 (13.4”x 10.6”x 7.4”)

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:33 pm GMT
Foldable Storage Cubes
$22.99 ($3.83 / Count)

6 pack Organizer Storage Bins

Works with Cube Storage Organizer

Collapsible Storage Bins

Non-woven Cloth Fabric Bin

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:33 pm GMT
Storage Bins with Lids
$37.99 ($12.66 / Count)

Decorative Storage Boxes with Lids and Soft Rope Handles

3-Pack

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:33 pm GMT
Clear Plastic Storage Bins with Lids
$39.99

4 Pack

Perfect Home and Garage Organization

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:33 pm GMT
Tall Weave Basket
$36.65 ($6.11 / Count)

6-Pack

15 Inch

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:33 pm GMT
Versatile Storage Bins with Handles

for Pantry Organization and Storage, Under Sink Bathroom Organizer, Toy Baskets, Food Storage, Closet Organization and more

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
mDesign Wide Metal Wire Storage Organizer Basket

with Handles

for Kitchen Cabinets, Pantry Shelf, Bathroom, Laundry Room, Closets, Garage, and more

2 Pack

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:37 pm GMT
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:38 pm GMT
Fabric Storage Bins
£88.60

Closet Shelf Organizer

4 Pack 

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:38 pm GMT

Day 23 is done. Woo hoo! I hope you’ll join me tomorrow for Day 23 in the 31 Days of 10-Minute Purging Tips challenge. Let’s purge some more so you can enjoy life more.

Find all my decluttering tips, printables and challenges in the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.

Similar Posts

11 Comments

  1. Ah yes, the top shelf. Sometimes it is very surprising to see what we’ve got stashed up there. You’ve motivated me to peek into my top pantry drawer today:)

  2. I am so glad that I came over today. I was just thinking about all the crap I have in my house. Things that I thought I needed but no longer want but just can’t seem to part with. It’s time I really go through and purge everything. Today I’m focusing on my room then gradually make my way to the kids room. Sometimes less is more. 🙂

    1. I’m glad you dropped by today, too, Amanda. I am so with you that often less is more. I tend to go in phases of collecting stuff and then purging stuff. I’m on a purging roll right now.

  3. Absolutely LOVE this idea! I think everyone could benefit from doing a 10 minute purge. And, so often we forget what is even on the top shelf because we don’t use it enough.

    1. Thanks, Crystal. I love breaking difficult tasks up into 10 minutes or 30 minute chunks so they’re not so overwhelming.

  4. Reading your post made me get up and go check all my top shelves in my kitchen. Thankfully they are all organized!

  5. This is a good reminder. I think it’s easy to just clean the things at our eye level, but we don’t always remember to clean the top shelf.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *