Is ‘Swedish death cleaning’ the solution to mid-life clutter?

In the past month, nearly 15,000 Americans have searched Google for the phrase “Swedish Death Cleaning.” That’s not counting all the people who may have asked their favorite Generative AI what Swedish death cleaning is and how it works. The name sounds somber, even a bit dark. So why are people so interested in the concept?

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What is Swedish death cleaning?

Swedish death cleaning is about clearing space to make your life lighter and more manageable. It involves decluttering and organizing with an eye on making it easier for your loved ones to handle your physical estate after you pass.

“At its heart, it’s less about death and more about life,” explained Amy Bergman, chief organizing officer at Amyzing Spaces. “It’s an act of love and personal responsibility, a chance to reflect, make intentional choices, and live more lightly.”

Maybe you’re clearing the clutter to move into a smaller space in a retirement community. Or maybe you’d like to clean out your garage to make room for a new hobby since you finally have some free time. Or maybe, true to the concept, you want to leave less “stuff” for your adult children to sort through after your death. Doing that “great purge” now, in your 50s, 60s or 70s, gives you more time to enjoy your clutter-free space. Plus, Bergman pointed out, “The earlier you begin, the more clarity and calm you bring to the process.”

Most people over 50 know how easy it is to accumulate … stuff… after half a lifetime. Getting rid of it, on the other hand, requires discipline, clear thinking and a plan. That’s where a technique like Swedish death cleaning comes in.

“By tackling our possessions in midlife, we’re making decisions while we’re still able to do so thoughtfully,” Bergman said. She offered several tips to get started, pointing out that Margareta Magnusson’s The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is a great read for a deeper dive.

Start with items with no sentimental value

Bergman recommended beginning in places that are less emotionally charged, where you’re less likely to have to make hard decisions. “Start with spaces like bathrooms or pantries,” she said.

You can build momentum by discarding expired food and medicines and donating kitchen appliances or cookbooks you haven’t touched in decades. Packaged and canned foods that your family doesn’t eat but are still good should go to a food pantry, where those in need will appreciate them. In her book, Magnusson emphasized that it’s a “gentle” art. You don’t have to tackle cleaning your garage in a single afternoon. Focus on cleaning one drawer, a closet, or a corner of a room. Schedule time each day to make progress on your decluttering, moving up to the more sentimental items after you’ve cleared other areas.

“It’s important to leave space for reflection,” Bergman said.

Magnusson’s book also suggested starting with physically large items first. After all, cleaning out an entire closet might only take an hour, but you’ll see a big difference in your space. For instance, GoodHousekeeping.com’s household advice editor, Katie Mortram, wrote about clearing off an overflowing bookshelf in the prominent “front room” of her home. By removing roughly two dozen books across two shelves and reorganizing the remaining titles, the shelf was no longer an eyesore. The project took less than an hour.

Talk it over

Swedish death cleaning should be a collaborative effort. “Involve family in conversations about what matters most,” Bergman said.

Don’t be surprised if the collectibles or heirlooms you treasure don’t have the same value to your loved ones. Share the stories behind these items now, but respect that they might not have the same importance to your eventual heirs. It might be easier to sell or donate them now, so they can find a home where people will use and enjoy them.

“Give things away while you’re alive,” Bergman said.  If you’re not using an item but saving it to pass along to a loved one, ask them if they want it now. You’ll get to watch them enjoy it and it’s one less thing in your home you have to deal with.

Swedish death cleaning vs. other organization methods

What sets Swedish death cleaning apart from other types of organizing and de-cluttering?  Marie Kondo’s KonMari method, where you evaluate items based on whether or not they “spark joy” focuses on your feelings in the present.  Other techniques, such as finding 12 items to donate, 12 to throw away, and 12 to return to their proper place, focus on getting the job done without addressing the emotions behind decluttering.  Swedish death cleaning, on the other hand, is a slower process that forms connections with family members. “It’s the stories, not the stuff, that matter,” Bergman said.

As you explore decades worth of belongings, memories will come flooding back. Those memories, and the conversations you have, are part of the process. In spite of the name, Swedish death cleaning is more about “clearing” than “cleaning.”  Sure, daily tasks like vacuuming and straightening up will be easier with less clutter. But Swedish death cleaning leads to more than just empty spaces.

“In the end, Swedish death cleaning isn’t just about paring things down and leaving less behind,” Bergman said. “It’s about leaving more clarity, more peace, and more stories for the people that you love.”

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