The 10/10 rule: a fast decluttering trick for busy parents
Brother Decluttering Series: the 10/10 rule.
A successful home clear out doesn’t always need a whole weekend. Sometimes, the simplest decluttering methods are the most effective.
In this instalment of our ongoing Decluttering Series, we’re exploring the 10/10 rule: a quick, focused tidying-up method that’s ideal for busy households. It’s refreshingly simple for anyone short on time, especially busy parents who want fast results without the overwhelm. Lifestyle influencer and professional organiser Hazel Burton (@thehomereset.ie) put the method to the test with her daughter by her side and a timer in hand. They focused on small areas of the home, using short bursts of time to make a visible impact.
What is the 10/10 rule?
The 10/10 rule is as simple as it sounds. Choose ten items to either remove, relocate or donate, and spend just ten minutes doing it. It’s a quick, focused approach that makes decluttering feel manageable, especially when time is tight.
Whether it’s a post-school reset, a Sunday night tidy-up, or a last-minute effort before guests arrive, the 10/10 rule helps you take action without falling into the trap of overthinking. It’s particularly useful if you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to organise your home without the pressure of doing it perfectly.
This method is all about progress, not perfection, and that’s what makes it so effective.
Putting the 10/10 rule to the test
Armed with a timer and her daughter’s help, Hazel tackled the family playroom – one of the most clutter-prone areas in any home. With just 10 minutes on the clock, they sorted through various categories of toys, choosing 10 items to let go of. It turned into a fun challenge for her daughter, turning decluttering into a game, rather than a chore.
But the real magic happened afterward. Using the Brother VC-500W colour label printer, they printed photos of her toys and labelled the storage baskets with colourful, personalised tags. This visual label-making approach helped her daughter understand where everything belongs – a simple, clever way to build lasting habits for home storage.
And for all those cherished school art projects parents feel guilty parting with, Hazel had a genius solution: they used the custom label printer to print small photo labels of her daughter’s artwork, keeping the memory without the mess. A beautiful compromise that reduces clutter and preserves what matters.
The verdict
Hazel gave the 10/10 rule, quite fittingly, a perfect 10 out of 10.
This was quick, fun, and actually effective. The 10-minute time limit kept us focused, and my daughter really enjoyed being involved. Using the Brother VC‑500W colour label printer made it even better – adding structure after the declutter made it feel like a system we can stick with.
This was quick, fun, and actually effective. The 10-minute time limit kept us focused, and my daughter really enjoyed being involved. Using the Brother VC‑500W colour label printer made it even better – adding structure after the declutter made it feel like a system we can stick with.
For Hazel, the key to success was keeping the process light and engaging. Setting a timer made it feel like a challenge, which worked especially well with her daughter. They kept things simple by focusing on one small area at a time, whether it was a toy basket or a drawer, and created a sense of progress without the pressure.
Visual labels printed at home made a big difference, too. Hazel used photo labels to help her daughter recognise where things belong, especially useful in playrooms and bedrooms. And by labelling storage bins, donation bags, and even art folders, the space felt more organised and easier to maintain. It turned a quick clear out into a system the whole family could actually use and enjoy.
Ready to try it?
Decluttering is just the first step, it’s the systems you put in place afterward that keep things tidy. With Brother’s home organisation tools, like the VC-500W colour label printer, you can turn quick clean-ups into long-term storage solutions.
From custom label-making to printing labels at home with images, Brother helps families build habits that stick – and create homes that function better.
Whether you're a time-poor parent, working professional, or just trying to maximise space in small rooms, this method is proof that even 10 minutes can make a real difference.
