The Only Digital Declutter Checklist You’ll Ever Need

by | Mar 12, 2021 | Lifestyle, Organization | 2 comments

Digital declutter checklist — yep, it’s spring-cleaning time for your tech life too.

We’re all used to throwing open the windows, grabbing the mop, and purging every drawer like we’re starring in our own HGTV special. Spring hits, and suddenly we’re deep cleaning every corner of our homes.

But be honest… when was the last time you did the same for your digital space?

If you’re like me — the answer is probably never (or maaaybe once during a random burst of motivation).

The thing is, our lives are just as digital as they are physical. We’re juggling apps, files, emails, and tabs like it’s an Olympic sport — so why are we skipping the digital spring clean? That messy desktop, the 3,487 unread emails, the sea of unused apps from 2022? That digital clutter messes with your focus, drains your productivity, and just feels… heavy.

Time to grab that digital declutter checklist and take control of your screen chaos.

This isn’t about doing it all in one day or going full minimalist. It’s about small, simple steps you can sprinkle into your week — especially if you’re new to digital tidying (or just need a gentle nudge). Start wherever you are. A little progress goes a long way.

DIGITAL DECLUTTER CHECKLIST

1. Clear out old screenshots

Let’s be honest — most screenshots are temporary. A meme, a recipe, a receipt, that one convo you were keeping as evidence . If they’re not relevant anymore, delete them. It’s an easy win.

2. Reorganize your productivity tools

That Notion board you made in January that doesn’t reflect your goals anymore? That Google Calendar full of color-coded chaos? Time for a refresh. Update it to match your current life.

3. Change your phone background

New season, new vibe. A fresh wallpaper can actually boost your mood and productivity. Try something bright, calming, or motivational.

4. Create a vision board for the next quarter

Get visual with your goals. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a Pinterest board, Canva collage, or desktop wallpaper will do the trick. Seeing your goals regularly keeps you focused.

5. Unfollow people on social media

If someone’s content doesn’t inspire, educate, or genuinely make you happy… unfollow. You control your digital space, and curating it is a form of self-care.

6. Delete contacts you no longer need

Old work contacts, that random person from a group project five years ago — it’s okay to let them go. Clean contact list = less mental clutter.

7. Organize your phone’s home screen

Group your apps, hide the ones you rarely use, and make it feel intentional. You’ll spend less time mindlessly scrolling when your phone is set up with purpose.

8. Delete apps you don’t use

If it’s been months (or years ), it’s time to let that app go. Bonus: you’ll probably free up a bunch of storage.

9. Unsubscribe from email newsletters

If you’re always hitting “mark as read” without opening, it’s time to unsubscribe. Keep your inbox a little more peaceful.

10. Organize your email with labels or folders

Even a quick “personal / work / receipts / random” system can make a world of difference. Start small.

11. Declutter your browser toolbar

Got 20 extensions and shortcuts you never use? Clean that up. Your browser will run faster, too.

12. Clear your cloud storage

Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud — they fill up fast. Delete duplicates, trash old documents, and organize what’s left into folders.

13. Declutter browser extensions

You probably installed half of them on a whim. If it’s not helping you daily, uninstall it.

14. Customize your Finder (or File Explorer) sidebar

Add shortcuts to folders you use often, and remove the ones you don’t. This tiny tweak saves time every single day.

15. Run antivirus or security checks

Not glamorous, but super necessary. Make sure your system is clean, secure, and backed up.

16. Empty your trashcan

Yes, that digital trash bin. Don’t let those files sit there forever. Delete and move on.

17. Declutter computer apps

Same as your phone — if you’re not using it, delete it. No need to hoard outdated programs.

18. Clear out your downloads folder

Chances are it’s full of random PDFs, duplicate photos, and things you forgot you even downloaded. Clean it out and breathe easier.

19. Organize your documents into folders

A little structure goes a long way. Create folders by category (work, personal, finance, etc.), and move your files accordingly. Done is better than perfect.

Final Thoughts

Spring-cleaning doesn’t have to stop at your closet or kitchen drawers. Your digital space is just as important — maybe even more so, considering how much time we spend online.

The best part? Most of these digital tasks take 5–10 minutes. Start small, be consistent, and celebrate the wins.

You got this.

Now tell me — do you usually spring-clean your digital space, or is this your sign to start?

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Save this digital declutter checklist for inspo

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Hey There, I'm Rita

I'm a 27-year-old Portuguese girly with a passion for fashion, lifestyle, and content creation. The European Closet is your guide to being your best self, one outfit at a time.

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2 Comments

  1. Lucy

    I do like to do a digital spring clean every now and then, I like my digital space to be an organised and happy one! x

    Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk

    Reply

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