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There’s a difference between cleaning and decluttering. If you have too much stuff (clutter), you’ll have a much harder time sweeping, dusting, sanitizing, and actually cleaning, plus your house will never look clean. But decluttering is harder than cleaning, by far. It’s overwhelming, even, which is why clutter can get out of hand, making cleaning a nearly impossible task. That’s also why we’re always on the hunt for new ways to declutter: Surely, someone out there has cracked the code, right? As it turns out, organizer Kayleen Kelly may have. Her method, Core 4, is wildly popular on TikTok and could be the one that works for you. (Check out all these other pro decluttering methods, too, for more inspiration.)
What is Core 4?
Kelly’s Core 4 cleaning method is a big hit on CleanTok, with one analysis I was sent by Upmove showing videos on the technique have amassed over 23 million views. Here’s the video that launched it all:
When decluttering, Kelly suggests moving through each room in four stages: Clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain.
How to use Core 4 to declutter
If you want to try Core 4 on your own, Kelly advises starting with small areas to avoid getting overwhelmed. Instead of trying to do each stage through your entire home at once, do all four stages in one room, then repeat that process in each room. If a single room has a ton of stuff in it, you can divvy that up even more, focusing first on a closet or the counter space, for example.
Clear out
Start the first phase, which is clear out, by just removing everything and putting it in a pile. Throw out trash if you see it, but focus on getting your cupboards, table space, and other storage areas completely clear, so they can be filled in a more organized way later.
Categorize
Next, categorize. You’ll need sorting bins for this (more on that later), so designate a bin for each different category of stuff you’re moving through, like your clothes, a family member’s clothes, makeup, knick-knacks, pet products, etc. Start sorting your pile by putting every item into its associated bin.
Cut out
The third phase is “cut out.” This one is difficult because you’ll be tasked with going through each bin and determining what can be thrown away or donated. This is a good time to practice putting your clutter in “purgatory”—moving things you’re unsure about getting rid of to a special bin that you’ll hide away somewhere, like an attic, for a month to determine if you can live without it. Otherwise, be decisive and do your best to shrink the amount of stuff in each bin. Here’s a list of questions I recommend asking yourself as you declutter so you can focus on making objective, reasonable choices.
Contain
Finally, contain. Reassess your bin situation. If you threw out a bunch of old kitchen tools, you might be able to put the remaining ones in a smaller container, for instance. The bins are key here—you’ll be using them for storage and organizing going forward, not just for sorting and decluttering when you’re working through the steps.
What to keep in mind while utilizing Core 4
Core 4 relies on principles you’ll also find echoed throughout the wider landscape of organizing and decluttering techniques. Specifically, it works well because it falls back on the principles that make up the Organizational Triangle, namely, that similar items should be stored together and everything you own must have a designated space. The containers are crucial because they keep everything categorized and stored together, but also because they give you a sense of volume. If all of your skincare products are stored in a bin, for instance, you’ll notice if you run out of space to add more, which can signal to you that you need to declutter and pare down your collection. If they’re scattered all over your bathroom and vanity, you’ll have a much tougher time noticing you have too much.
While the containers are important and valuable, they also pose a bit of a problem: With everything boxed up and hidden away, the containers themselves can become cluttered. You’ll still need to repeat the Core 4 technique periodically over time, focusing on that “clear out” step and dumping the bins, so you don’t end up with a bunch of smaller, invisible messes inside your cabinets and closets. Another approach you can use is the “out in the open” method, which is pretty similar, but involves dumping every item in every closet or cupboard in a room right into the center of the space, then going through it. The scale at which you tackle the “clear out” stage as you continue to employ Core 4 is really up to you, but I recommend moving in smaller chunks to avoid getting overwhelmed.
What bins you’ll need
It might seem counterintuitive to buy more stuff to declutter, but to use this method, you really do need the bins. They make sorting easy, plus give you a place to store the things you decide to keep, helping you stay organized so you don’t have to keep repeating the Core 4 all the time. Here are a few bin options to consider:
Classic storage bins
If you’re focusing on pure functionality, nothing is better for this job than clear, plastic containers with lids. They nest and stack, so whether they’re empty or full, storing them is easy and intuitive. Try the IRIS bins from Amazon, which come in a six-pack of 53-quart bins ($69.99) for larger items or categories and a 20-pack of 5.9-quart bins ($28.99) for smaller needs.
Decorative storage bins
If you live in a small space where the bins are more likely to be visible or you just prioritize aesthetics, you’ll want more decorative bins. Your best bet is to buy sets of matching boxes, like this small and large box set on Wayfair for $58.99, which comes in a bunch of colors and designs. Collapsible fabric boxes, like this set of three from Amazon ($29.95) are good options, too, since they can be folded up when not in use and fit well onto shelving units.
