Swedish Death Cleaning - Declutter Before You Depart

Marcin Włodarczyk
Oct 8
5 min read

A traditional midsummer maypole stands tall and adorned with greenery and wreaths in a serene meadow, surrounded by lush trees under a clear blue sky.

When you first hear “Swedish Death Cleaning,” it sounds like something straight out of the movie Midsommar. You know - flower crowns, bonfires, and unsettling rituals in broad daylight. But don’t worry, this isn’t about chanting in the woods or sacrificing your favorite coffee table to the gods of minimalism. In reality, it’s much gentler and actually kind of brilliant. The idea isn’t about being grim - it’s about decluttering your home and life before you die so your family and loved ones don’t have to face the overwhelming task of sorting through all your belongings later.

It’s called Swedish Death Cleaning because the original Swedish word döstädning combines dö (“death”) and städning (“cleaning”) and the name reflects the purpose: it’s cleaning with the end in mind. But here’s the key: it’s not about death itself - it’s about making life easier now while also sparing others a heavy emotional and physical burden in the future.

The idea is simple: go through your things while you’re still here to decide what truly matters. Instead of leaving your loved ones with mountains of stuff to sort through, you take charge now. You start small - maybe that drawer full of cables nobody remembers buying. Then you move to bigger things like closets, kitchenware, maybe even the garage.

Organizing a wardrobe: neatly folded clothes, including jeans, shirts, and trousers, prepared for storage or travel.

You ask yourself: do I really need this? Is this useful, meaningful, or just… taking up space? And here’s the kicker: you can pass along treasures to family or friends now, instead of leaving them to sort through it later. It’s not about death at all - it’s about living lighter, with less clutter and more intention. Unlike Midsommar, there are no rituals, no cliff dives - just a calmer home, a lighter life, and the satisfaction of choosing what truly matters.

The concept gained popularity through Swedish artist and author Margareta Magnusson. She introduced it in her 2017 book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter. The idea is to sort, downsize, and document now so your affairs and belongings are easier to manage later. The practice has cultural origins in Sweden, where it is seen as a thoughtful, practical approach to aging and organization - and far from being morbid - but it was Magnusson who brought it to international attention.

SO, HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Set the scope: pick one small area (a drawer, cabinet, or shelf).
Start with easy categories: clothing, books, or household items you don’t use.
Sort into piles: Keep, Give away, Donate, Sell, Recycle, Trash.
Decide quickly: limit second-guessing. If unsure, place in a “decide later” box and revisit.
Keep only what serves you: ask yourself if the item is useful or meaningful.
Share items and their context with others: pass along heirlooms or items with sentimental value now, instead of later. Tell friends why these items matter.
Document essentials: organize important papers and digital accounts for clarity.
Work at your own pace but start early: this isn’t a one-weekend project; it’s a process.
Repeat: move room by room. Aim for consistency rather than perfection.
Celebrate progress: small rituals or treats help cement the habit.

ROOM-BY-ROOM CHECKLIST

Entry / Hall

Shoes (keep only those you wear regularly)
Mail and paperwork - shred old docs, keep current papers in a single folder
Keys, umbrellas - tidy and label

Kitchen

Single-use gadgets you never reach for - donate or sell
Duplicate utensils, mismatched mugs - keep favorites only
Expired pantry items - discard
Recipe cards - digitize or keep a small folder

Living room

Books - keep the ones you’ll reread or that have special meaning; donate the rest
DVDs/CDs - consider digital backups or donate
Decorative items - keep a few favorites, group and display them nicely

Bedroom / Closet

Clothes you haven’t worn in 12–18 months - donate (except seasonal or special occasion items you will definitely use)
Sentimental items - keep a small, well-labeled box and document the stories

Bathroom

Expired meds/cosmetics - safely dispose (local pharmacy or take-back program)
Duplicate toiletries - consolidate

Home office / Papers

Keep: wills, power of attorney, recent financial statements, mortgage docs, insurance policies, birth certificates
Shred: old bank statements, outdated bills (after confirming no tax needs)
Create a single “important documents” binder and tell someone where it is

Garage / Attic / Storage

Tools you use regularly - keep
Items in long-term storage - review; if you haven’t accessed them in years, consider passing them on

A collection of vintage black and white photographs lies scattered on a table, featuring iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. Accompanied by an old tag, paper clip, and a sprig of greenery, these images evoke a sense of nostalgia and timeless travels.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR SENTIMENTAL ITEMS

Photograph large or fragile heirlooms and give photos + short stories to family if you don’t keep the object.
Keep 1–3 physical mementos per close relationship; pass the rest on now while people will appreciate them.
Create a small memory box for each child or close friend with labeled items and notes.

HOW TO HANDLE OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS

Offer items directly and set a deadline: “I’m sorting the photos - would you like the albums? Tell me by May 1st.”
Use phrases that reduce pressure: “I’d love this to go to someone who’ll use it” or “I’m making things easier for everyone.”
If someone wants an item you were planning to donate, be clear about logistics (pick-up time, where to collect).

LEGAL AND PRACTICAL ESSENTIALS TO PAIR WITH DECLUTTERING

Will - make or review it; keep a current copy in the documents binder.
Funeral wishes - write down preferences (type of service, who to contact).
Account list - location of bank accounts, pensions, insurance, usernames/passwords

TIMELINE SUGGESTIONS
1 hour: clear one drawer or small shelf.
1 day: sort a closet or kitchen cabinet.
1 weekend: tackle a room.
3 months: make significant progress through most living spaces.
6–12 months: finish larger storage areas; finalize document binder; distribute items to family.

SELLING VS DONATING VS RECYCING
Sell: valuables, antiques, designer items (online marketplaces or local shops)
Donate: household goods in good condition (charities, shelters, community centers)
Recycle: electronics, textiles, batteries at appropriate recycling points
Dispose safely: medications at pharmacy take-back, hazardous materials through local services
QUICK DECISION GUIDE

Have I used this in the last 12–18 months? Keep if yes.
Does this item require special maintenance? Consider whether you’ll keep up with it.
Will someone appreciate it more now than after I’m gone? Give it now.
Is this one of just a few items that truly represent an important memory? Keep and document.

A person lies surrounded by childhood memories, including books and toys, embodying a pensive moment in a monochrome setting.

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

Unlike a quick spring clean or a one-time purge, Swedish Death Cleaning encourages you to think carefully about what you keep and why. Fewer things mean less stress. Live only with what matters most. Reduce the burden of sorting through belongings later. Let go of unnecessary objects while cherishing the important ones. It's an act of kindness - to yourself and to the people who will inherit your life’s things. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or perfectly finished. Little decisions, consistently, make a huge difference.

Start with one drawer this afternoon and you’ll already be doing someone a favor.