I tried the 'use it up' decluttering method – it's helped my wallet as much as my home

As summer draws to a close and routines return to normal, September feels like the perfect time to reset our homes and declutter to purge the things we no longer need.

As such, it's also the perfect time to try one of the best decluttering methods. There are plenty to choose from nowadays, and having put many of them to the test myself, I know that the best methods are the ones that help us actually rethink our shopping habits going forward. These methods can create real, lasting change, and give our homes a good clear-out in the process.

So when I heard about the 'use it up' decluttering trend, I had high hopes. This sounded like something that would help shift my mindset and create a calmer home on a long-term, permanent basis. After putting it to the test, I'm pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed.

I tried the 'use it up' decluttering method to organise my home

Having had so much success with the latest decluttering trends – decision fatigue decluttering and the 80/20 rule – I was a little sceptical that the 'use it up' trend would follow suit. It's rare that every method I test becomes a favourite, after all. But now that I've tried this recommended decluttering method, it's earned its place in my organising toolkit.

What is the use it up decluttering trend?

'Use it up' decluttering does pretty much what it says on the tin: it suggests using something up completely before buying a replacement. As simple as it sounds, it's actually much harder to do in practice. How many of us genuinely wait until we've run out of something before we buy it again?

I can admit that I definitely don't. Be it cleaning products, toiletries, or food and drink items, my home is chock-a-block with duplicates, simply because I don't like the idea of running out of something and not having a replacement to hand.

Maybe there's some interesting psychology behind this, or maybe it just comes down to being a planner at heart, but it's fair to say that my home storage solutions aren't always equipped to deal with it.

Which is why the 'use it up' decluttering method was made. The idea is that we should only be storing what we need in our homes, and cramming all the cupboards and drawers full isn't necessarily the best approach.

If any of this sounds familiar, the 'use it up' method could be for you. But I'm already thinking that there might be some drawbacks to this trend. What happens, for example, when I run out of something I need and it's not practical for me to nip out and buy a replacement?

Trying the 'use it up' decluttering trend

That said, I was keen to put this trend to the test and see if it could help me rethink what I bring into my home going forward.

The first place I tried 'use it up' decluttering on was my toiletries. I admit it, I'm a bit of a skincare hoarder, and yes, I do have multiple copies of certain items that I really like. My excuse for this is that when I'm shopping online (which is most of the time), I'll add certain items to my basket so I don't have to pay for delivery, even though I don't need them yet.

I doubt I'm the only person who does this, and it has its benefits – if I'm definitely going to use what I've bought eventually. But there have been some instances where I've later changed my mind on a product, and then I'm stuck with the replacement I bought a couple of months back. And, my toiletry storage is pretty much always fit to burst.

When I started to organise my toiletries, I realised the 'use it up' decluttering method would be ideal for me. I was finding multiple items of the same skincare products in my drawers, including three SPF creams for my face. I'd bought a replacement for my replacement without even realising it.

The 'use it up' method was helpful for actually getting me to think about my shopping habits. Why did I need three bottles of the same item? It's like there was an underlying fear of the product being discontinued. This led to a lightbulb moment where I realised why certain areas of my home always feel cluttered, despite my best efforts.

So I made a promise to myself: I would use up every single toiletry I was storing before buying any replacements for my favourite beauty empties.

So far, so good; I haven't felt the need to buy anything new, even when I've started to run low on specific products (probably because I had too many in the first place).

I also wanted to test the 'use it up' decluttering trick in my kitchen. I managed to double my small kitchen storage space with some space-saving solutions, but there's still room for improvement. Certain cupboards feel pretty stuffed, especially after the weekly food shop.

After going through each cupboard, I realised I was definitely storing more than I needed to. Tinned food, like chickpeas and coconut milk, was in excess, as were other items like flour and rice. I'd bought a fresh bag of flour when mine was still half-full, and flour is something that takes me a while to get through.

Like with the toiletries, I made a mental note not to buy any replacements until I'd used up what I had. But at this point, I started to experience the main drawback of the 'use it up' method – what happens when I run out of something I genuinely need and don't have a replacement in the house?

Certain items, like washing-up liquid, shampoo, toilet roll, or even olive oil, are pretty necessary to have around. While I was testing the 'use it up' decluttering trend, I realised that running out of certain items meant a dash to the corner shop to buy a replacement, simply because I wasn't willing to wait for my next online order to arrive.

I found having to nip out for these items could make my day a tad more stressful. While I'm lucky to work from home, I also don't think it's practical for everyone to have to go to a shop for things as they run out one by one.

Verdict: should you try the 'use it up' decluttering method?

Despite this drawback, I'm still a fan of the 'use it up' decluttering trend. It's had a positive effect on how I shop, and I've started to question what I'm buying more often, particularly when it comes to toiletries. My bathroom storage baskets and dressing table drawers are looking much better as a result.

My best advice would be not to use this method as a hard-and-fast rule. If you're running low on essentials, I think it's absolutely fine to have a replacement ready and waiting, especially if you've got the storage space.

You can still keep the 'use it up' method in mind by using something as much as possible before you go out and buy another (and not buying a replacement for your replacement, like me).

All in all, I'm a fan, and I'll definitely be sticking to a slightly adapted version of the 'use it up' method going forward.