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What Is döstädning AKA Swedish death cleaning and why is it causing such a decluttering stir?
Move over Marie Kondo, there’s a new decluttering trend on the tidying block, but this one comes with a slightly darker edge.
Where the Queen of the clear out encouraged us to part ways with anything that doesn’t spark joy, the thinking behind döstädning, or Swedish ‘death cleaning’, is a touch less cheery, at least on the surface. In reality, it’s far less morbid than it sounds.
At its heart, the method is about gradually clearing our homes of the things we no longer need, so they don’t become someone else’s responsibility, later down the line, and when we’re no longer able to enjoy our collection of carefully chosen ceramic crockery.
What is Swedish death cleaning?
“Though its name may seem shocking, Swedish death cleaning, or döstädning, is a very thoughtful and practical method of sorting out your belongings,” explains Max Wilson, co-founder of Pocket Storage.
“Combining the two Swedish words “dö” (death) and “städning” (cleaning), döstädning is about getting rid of and organising things within your property in such a way that your loved ones won’t be left overwhelmed when it comes to sorting out all of this ‘stuff’ once you pass away.
It’s not a process focused on contemplating death; it is about enjoying the life you are still living by letting go of the things that do not belong in it anymore.”
Turns out it’s not just us mere mortals getting the döstädning memo, even Nigella Lawson is a fan of the concept, having previously shared her penchant for the trend with The Times.
“I’m rather warming to the Swedish notion of döstädning, or ‘death cleaning’, in which you start sloughing off the piles of tat that you unthinkingly acquire over the years, so as not to be a burden to your children after you’ve keeled over,” she explains.
While the idea may have originated with later life in mind, it isn’t just older generations who stand to benefit.
A little döstädning-ing can bring a sense of order and clarity to any home, whatever your age, helping to create a space that feels lighter, calmer and altogether more manageable.
“The main advantage is that you will feel lighter and more organised in your day-to-day life,” Max says of the benefits.
“Clutter may simply be ‘delayed decisions’, and when you make decisions about what to keep or throw out, you will feel less anxious and live in a more easily manageable space.
“By doing Swedish death cleaning, you can also create a ‘living inheritance’, where you can give away valued possessions to others before your passing.”
Fancy giving death cleaning a go?
The decluttering experts have put together some tips on the best ways to get started…
Allocate time for your “audit”
Decluttering your entire home may seem overwhelming, so it’s important to carve out time in your diary each month to tackle a certain area.
“Make sure to carve out consistent two-hour blocks each month for an emotional ‘audit’,” advises Max.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
“Regular windows make the whole process much more manageable.”
Start with the easy stuff and build momentum
The trick is to begin with the low-stakes clutter before moving on to more meaningful belongings.
“Do not start with items with heavy sentimental value,” warn Maxine Brady and Gemma Gear, interior stylists and hosts of How to Home Podcast.
“Start with the kitchen drawer, your garage, a laundry cupboard,” continues Maxine.
“You want to tackle areas where clutter builds and you can make quick and easy decisions.
“Once you have sorted one area out, you will feel so good you will want to keep going. Build your decision-making muscle before you get to the more personal stuff.”
Max agrees it is a good idea to deal with the non-emotional things first.
“Tackle the everyday objects around the house that lack much emotional significance, like kitchen stuff, linens, or drawers full of practical objects,” he adds.
“Don’t try to sort sentimental objects like pictures or letters just yet. Start with the less emotional objects to build up your confidence.”
Tackle your wardrobe
According to Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture, one of the best areas to start is the wardrobe.
“Take out all the clothing from your wardrobe and drawers and lay it all out on the bed,” she suggests.
“Then, methodically work through each item and decide what you wish to keep, sell, or donate.
“If you come across any items that no longer fit, are damaged, or are looking past their sell-by date, they can go!
“Whilst it might sound ruthless, the idea behind this process is that you’ll be left with a timeless, capsule wardrobe that you’ll cherish both now and in years to come.”
Declutter by size
Extreme decluttering can seem daunting, so a good rule of thumb is to tackle the largest items first.
“Whether you’ve got an unloved armoire sitting in your hallway or some of your old furniture has been cast aside into the garage, start with the big bits of furniture first,” Melissa recommends.
“If they’re in good condition, you might want to sell these second-hand.
“Or, if your old chest of drawers has seen better days, consider donating or recycling.”
Once you’ve got the bulky items out of the way, it’s time to sweat the small stuff.
“Working clockwise in each room, have a good look at your trinkets, magazines, and cushions.
“Although it might seem tricky to let go of your items at first, just remember that minimalism is popular for a reason: it helps us live a simpler, more fulfilling life.”
Make a ‘for my eyes only’ box
Döstädning isn’t only about decluttering, it’s about curating what others may one day come across.
“Put items that are deeply meaningful to you but would mean nothing, or worse, be upsetting to anyone who found them afterwards in a special box,” advises Gemma.
“Label the box clearly and tell a trusted person it should be thrown away unopened.
“It is not about shame, it is about protecting your privacy, which is a thoughtful, dignified act.”
Think about who will cherish your stuff, and have the conversation now
According to Maxine, now is the time to decide whether there are particular items you would like to pass on to a friend or relative.
“The whole point of Swedish death cleaning is having uncomfortable conversations now, not waiting until things become difficult,” she advises.
“One way to do this is to start passing belongings now as gifts.
“But most importantly, ask your family and friends what they want. You don’t want to gift items that they do not treasure.
“This way you get the joy of seeing people enjoy what you love, rather than leaving it to chance.”
Max suggests taking family suggestions into account to learn who wants what.
“Do not store bulky heirloom pieces just because they are presumed to be valued, as they may not necessarily fit their present lifestyle,” he adds.
Get loved ones involved
It’s important not to take the Swedish Death Cleaning approach too far.
“Throwing away your children’s toys and only keeping a few solitary teddies probably isn’t the best way forward,” advises Melissa.
“But you can try and encourage a loved one to live in a more minimalist, less materialistic way.”
If you can, it’s a good idea to involve the whole family in sort-outs.
“This means you won’t accidentally throw away any sentimental items they cherish.
“Not to mention, an extra pair of hands never goes amiss!”
Let things go sustainably
Swedish death cleaning is not a single big clear-out. It is an ongoing, gentle practice of asking whether what you own is still earning its place.
But when something goes, let it go thoughtfully.
“Sell on second hand selling sites like Vinted or eBay, give things away for free on Facebook Marketplace or a charity shop,” suggests Maxine.
“Every item that finds a new home rather than a bin bag is a small act of care.”
Tidy up your storage
Swedish death cleaning also presents an opportunity to get your storage sorted.
“Utilise clear and consistent stackable storage systems,” explains Max.
“Label your possessions and arrange according to their usage frequency.
“Good organisation will not only help you avoid clutter but will also enable you to know exactly what you have.”
Once you know what you plan to let go of, you can much more easily re-organise your remaining possessions in your home.
“But the items left after decluttering should be easy to access,” advises Max.
“Arrange often-used items at eye level, and those you need occasionally can be put in labelled, waterproof containers.
“The goal is functionality, not just tidiness.”
Digitise memories
Can’t or don’t want to keep everything? Take photos instead!
“Convert valuable memories into images and save them to a digital ‘memory album’,” suggests Max.
“By doing so, you are able to keep the memory and happiness while eliminating physical clutter.”
Purchase less
Once you’ve decluttered, it’s a good idea to switch up your buying mentality.
“Amid a cost-of-living crisis and a push to do more for the planet, purchasing less is a priority for many people across the UK.
“But there are other benefits to the buy-less mantra too,” explains Melissa.
“The fewer items you have, the fewer you’ll need to clean and organise.
“So, by regularly decluttering your home and only buying things you really love, you’ll spend less time cleaning, and more time enjoying your life.”
Swedish death cleaning vs Norwegian life cleaning
While both are similar, the Norwegian approach called ‘life cleaning’ (livstädning) is rather concerned about how you live today, creating a simple yet functional living space that will maintain your sanctuary through life.
“The Swedish method of death cleaning is slightly more advanced, as it considers your future afterlife and the inheritance you will leave behind,” explains Max.
“But in essence, they are one and the same.”
Want more inspiration? Read: Peaky Blinders interiors: 10 ways to get the Tommy Shelby look at home or 2026 trend: Unserious interiors – 10 ways to get the look at home. And check out: Brits are obsessed with room-scrolling: 8 design tricks for your own interiors
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