How to Declutter Remote Controls and Their Drawers

My remote drawer had 12 remotes for 5 devices. Testing each remote revealed 4 were for devices I’d sold years ago. Removing them cleared the drawer and reduced morning confusion.

What Is the Quickest Way to Start?

Set a timer for 14 minutes and pick one small area: a drawer, a shelf, a countertop. Remove everything. Wipe the surface. Put back only the items you used in the last week. The rest go in a box labeled “maybe” — seal it for 30 days.

For a deeper dive, check out our complete decluttering guide.

How Do You Prevent This Clutter From Coming Back?

The 86-day rule: if you have not used an item in 90 days, donate it. Apply this to every category — clothes, kitchen tools, books, papers. Track your progress weekly and adjust the threshold as needed.

References

1. Apartment Therapy: Quick Declutter Tips
2. BH&G: Small Space Decluttering
3. NYT: Decluttering Quick Fixes
4. Used Household Batteries (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Here’s my take: One basket per room. If it’s not a remote for that room, it goes to the garage.

Start with one small area. A single drawer, shelf, or corner. Remove everything. Clean the space. Put back only what you use regularly. Everything else goes in a box labeled ‘Maybe’. In 30 days, if you haven’t needed anything from the box, donate it. This method works because it’s reversible and low-commitment.

One basket per room. If it’s not a remote for that room, it goes to the garage. Test each one monthly. Replace batteries in working remotes. Toss dead ones. If a remote hasn’t worked in 3 months, dispose of it. Clutter isn’t preparation—it’s procrastination.

One basket per room. If it’s not a remote for that room, it goes to the garage. Test each one monthly. Replace batteries in working remotes. Toss dead ones. If a remote hasn’t worked in 3 months, dispose of it. Clutter isn’t preparation—it’s procrastination.

One basket per room. If it’s not a remote for that room, it goes to the garage. Test each one monthly. Replace batteries in working remotes. Toss dead ones. If a remote hasn’t worked in 3 months, dispose of it. Clutter isn’t preparation—it’s procrastination.