Declutter Your Mind by Decluttering Your Workspace

Welcome to Week 21 of our 52-Week Cleaning, Organizing & Decluttering Challenge! This week, we’re diving into a space that many of us spend a lot of time in—but often forget to keep clean and organized: the home office. Whether you work from home or just need a tidy space to manage household paperwork, this week’s focus will help you feel more productive and less stressed.  

Week 21: Office – Deep Clean & Organize Files

  • Sort through old files: digitize or shred what’s no longer needed.
  • Organize file cabinets and paperwork.
  • Wipe down office furniture and shelves.
  • Deep clean the computer area (mouse, keyboard, etc.).

Let’s get that paper pile under control, deep clean your workspace, and set you up with a streamlined system that will keep things organized long-term. Once you get your tasks done, be sure to shop for some wall art for the office.

[a d] Five sizes! Funny Cat Canvas Wall Art Decor Framed Painting – Black Cat and Van Gogh Sunflowers Picture Poster Print, Kitten Artwork for Living Room, Office Decoration, Oil Painting. Amazon creator affiliate link https://amzn.to/3H1Sl2A

Step 1: Sort Through Old Files

Paper clutter is one of the biggest culprits of office chaos. Here’s how to tackle it efficiently:

Start with one drawer or folder at a time—don’t overwhelm yourself. Use three piles: Keep, Shred, and Digitize.

Important documents you rarely need (e.g., old tax returns) can be digitized and stored securely online or on an external hard drive.

Helpful Product:

[a d] HP DeskJet 4255e Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Scanner, Copier, Best-for-Home, 3 Months of Instant Ink Included (588S6A). Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/4cbbxGt

A fast scanner with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) can turn your paper files into searchable PDFs in seconds!

Must-Have:

[a d] BONSEN 12-Sheet Paper Shredder for Home Office, Heavy Duty Shredders with 20 Mins Running Time, 5.3 Gal Pullout Bin, Cross Cut Shredder for CD/Credit Card/Staple, P-4 Security Level, Anti-Jam System. Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/4iWiXjC

Protect your personal information by shredding old bills, bank statements, and junk mail.

Step 2: Organize File Cabinets & Paperwork

Now that you’ve reduced your paper load, it’s time to organize what’s left:

  • Use labeled file folders for easy identification.
  • Create a color-coding system for categories (e.g., blue for finances, green for home, red for medical).
  • Store rarely accessed items in archival boxes on higher shelves or in closets.

Recommended:

[a d] Pendaflex Portable File Box with File Rails, Simple Document Storage, File Bin for Home and Office, Hinged Lid with Double Latch Closure, Black, 3 Black Letter Size Hanging Folders Included. Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/4hXQUPt
[a d] ThinkTex Accordion File Organizer, 12 – Pocket Expanding File Folders for Paper Receipts, Bills&Taxes Organizer, Letter/A4 Size Document Holder for School, Office, Home with Colorful tabs- Black. Great to organize school work and projects! Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/3XGwgMq

These make it easy to visually sort your paperwork and maintain order.

Step 3: Wipe Down Office Furniture & Shelves

Dust loves electronics and bookshelves. Take a few minutes to:

  • Dust and polish your desk, bookcases, and any shelving units.
  • Remove everything first, clean thoroughly, then replace items with intention.

Top Pick:

[a d]  MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth – 12 Pack, Large 13″ x13” Highly Absorbent Streak-Free Micro Fiber Cleaning Rags Towels for House, Car, Windows, Housekeeping, Household Dusting, Kitchen. Amazon creator ad link to this specific product https://amzn.to/4kmSZqs

Gentle on surfaces, great for dusting books, screens, and furniture without leaving streaks.

Step 4: Deep Clean Your Computer Area

Your keyboard, mouse, and monitor are some of the germiest items in your home. Clean them the right way:

  • Use compressed air to blow debris from between keyboard keys.
  • Wipe surfaces with disinfecting wipes or screen-safe cleaning spray.

Tech Cleaner Kit:

[a d] Compressed Air Duster-3 Gear Adjustable 100000RPM Electric Air Duster with LED Light, Rechargeable Cordless Air Blower for Keyboard Electric Devices Cleaning. Replaces Compressed Air Cans (Black). Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/4cbgRcV

Comes with air duster, wipes, and tools for a thorough clean—perfect for your tech gear.

You Did It!

Once you’ve finished this week’s tasks, step back and admire your fresh, focused workspace. A decluttered office creates a decluttered mind—helping you stay sharp, productive, and inspired.

Thank you for supporting the blog by clicking through my Amazon links. Every click helps keep this blog going, and I truly appreciate your support.

Coming Up Next Week:

Week 22: Kitchen – Organize Spices & Pantry
We’ll clean spice jars, sort your pantry, wipe down shelves, and label containers for easier cooking and better food storage. Be sure to bookmark or save the blog to your favorites so you don’t miss it!

Until then—happy cleaning and see you next week!

Warmly,
Dana
Your expert guide to a cleaner, calmer home

If you missed any of the earlier challenges, be sure to check out the Challenge 2025 kick-off post, which lists all weekly challenges and links as they become available.

Challenge 2025 Kick-Off Post

For your convenience, download free cleaning, organizing, and decluttering checklists to keep your progress on track:

BLOG POST with free checklists for each room

Also the master checklist for all 52 weeks:

Download the list here (click image):

Happy cleaning!

 

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