I tried the 3-item decluttering rule: it's the most effective method I've found for achieving quick results

November is one of the best months for decluttering, because there's still plenty of time to organise the house before Christmas. That said, this time of year is busy enough that we don't want decluttering to feel like another huge task to tick off the to-do list – it should reduce stress rather than add to it.

Which is why I felt a little bit excited when I heard about the 3-item decluttering rule. My favourite decluttering methods are often the simplest, and the 3-item rule sounds as simple as it gets.

After putting the 3-item decluttering rule to the test, I'm pleased to say it has firmly earned its place in my decluttering toolkit.

What is the 3-item decluttering rule?

The 3-item decluttering rule is very straightforward: you pick a day and time to declutter, then get rid of three items. That's all.

It sounds deceptively simple, especially when you've tried things like the upside-down decluttering method and the 1-3-5 rule. But that's the point of this method – it was made for people who find decluttering overwhelming and are put off by the idea of a big purge. By aiming to only get rid of three items, decluttering instantly feels more manageable.

Trying to do too much at once is one of the easiest decluttering mistakes we can make; therefore, the 3-item rule sounds like the ideal solution. And while three items don't feel like a lot, I know from experience that even getting rid of one or two items can make a real difference.

Especially when you use that momentum to keep going (which is what the snowball decluttering method is all about). But carrying on is completely optional; you may find that decluttering three items is enough.

I'm also a fan of setting a specific time and date to declutter. In theory, this should make it harder to come up with an excuse not to do it, but we'll see how effective that is in practice.

Trying the 3-item decluttering rule

Testing the 3-item decluttering rule is well-timed, because I'm keen to organise my home before December chaos hits. I like to make space wherever I can at this time of year, as I know it'll make it easier to find places for Christmas presents when the time comes.

I decided on a Monday morning to declutter; it feels like a good way to start my week, and I'm lucky I work from home and can be flexible. I also know exactly what I want to focus on first: my make-up drawer, which has been giving me a headache every time I open it.

So, I take everything out and decide which three items I can let go of. It's surprisingly easy, because I quickly spot expired items. Most toiletries have a recommended use-by date, indicated by a number and an 'M' (so 1M means it'll be good for one month after opening, 6M for six months, etc.). I recommend looking for this if you're unsure how long something lasts.

I managed to clear out a nearly empty bottle of foundation, an old concealer, and a tatty make-up brush. It was also the perfect opportunity for me to give the drawer a clean and organise its contents, which has made a world of difference when getting ready in the morning.

I will say I was pretty surprised how easy the 3-item decluttering rule was. It felt almost too easy, and I was left thinking I should do another area straight away and try it out again.

While I encourage you to do that if you feel the same, for the purpose of testing the method properly, I decided to wait until next Monday morning before decluttering anything else.

A week later, I decided to try the 3-item rule on one of the storage baskets in my bedroom, which houses random items including my hairdryer and spare toiletry bags. This time it was a little trickier to find three items to let go of, and I only managed it because I couldn't think of a good enough reason to keep five spare toiletry bags (it's so easy to accumulate these).

From this, I learnt that you don't necessarily need to stick to one area when trying the 3-item decluttering rule. I usually like to focus on one area at a time when decluttering because it's easier to manage, but given that you only need to get rid of three items with this method, it's unlikely to escalate to the point where it becomes overwhelming.

With that in mind, I decided to try the three-item rule by going through my flat and picking three items at random to get rid of. It was weirdly fun, and I ended up decluttering an old wooden spoon from the utensil drawer, a filled-up notepad, and a random Christmas cracker toy that hadn't been touched in years.

Verdict: should you try the 3-item decluttering rule?

I'm a big fan of the 3-item decluttering rule, and I actually think it's the perfect method for people who want to declutter but don't know where to start. By limiting the process to three items, it instantly becomes more manageable, and you're less likely to get overwhelmed and procrastinate.

Some people may find three items don't quite feel like enough, and there's nothing to stop you from carrying on. But if you need the motivation to just get going, give the 3-item decluttering rule a try; it could be just the ticket you need to start organising your home this winter.

Having tested so many methods now, from the viral JACK technique to the 80/20 rule, I'm something of a decluttering pro, yet I'm always keen to find new methods that help us declutter in a way that feels manageable. A good method should make decluttering feel easier, not harder, and that is exactly what this simple method does.