The 'Poop Rule' is Internet's latest decluttering hack, but does it actually work?

India Today

05-06-2025

The poop rule - It is not what you think. This isn't some bathroom etiquette tip, but it is definitely about flushing things out (of your wardrobe or home). Clean and clear, that's what the trend says.In the latest episode of how bizarre (or gross) the internet can get, someone came up with a hack to deal with the clutter that is sitting rent-free in your store rooms or cupboards. When we sit down to declutter, deciding whether to throw away that birthday card from third grade or those sparkly tapes once used for a school project, it gets tough. To throw or not to throw? What if I need it someday? All that contemplation and in the end the pile stays for yet another year.advertisementRelatable much?
Now, if you are someone who has problem discarding things and no pro tip seems to work for you, you probably need to read up on the 'Poop Rule'.Introduced by lifestyle influencer Amanda Johnson, who regularly shares tips and tricks for decluttering, the idea is simple, but may seem gross to some. She suggests you ask yourself, "If the item had poop on it, would you keep it or toss it?"Yes, Amanda claims that's pretty much how you can get rid of a majority of things (not sure about your red flag boyfriend, though, or maybe you can). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Hostetler (@lauren_hostetler_)In Indian homes, where emotions and nostalgia run deep, decluttering isn't easy. People want to preserve memories, even if it means keeping a personalised birthday card from years ago or stacking up every plastic container from past food deliveries. So can the 'poop rule' become the ultimate solution to all the horaders' problems?The sanitary poop rule?advertisementAmanda Johnson documented her decluttering journey and swore by the 'poop rule'.She explains it further: 'If you wouldn't pack it up and take it with you in a move, like you wouldn't even want to touch it with a poop bag, it probably doesn't belong in your home.''We hang on to things we don't even like, just because we've had them a while, they were a gift, or we might use them someday,'' she wrote, sharing the post. 'But if you wouldn't keep it with poop on it you probably don't need it at all. Decluttering gets a lot easier when you get honest. Use the poop rule and move on.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda Johnson | Simplify & Declutter (@allthingsnew_home)The core idea here is simple: linking clutter to something brown and smelly triggers a sense of disgust, which supposedly helps break emotional attachment to old clothes and household items.But does it really work? Some tried it, others dissed it!
Social media users also discussed how, in the digital age, people go to any length to just get 'viral'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katie & Hallie (@betweenusmomspod)Decluttering and Mental HealthWhether it's a food delivery box you 'might' use someday or nostalgic memorabilia, years go by and the items remain untouched, Hoarding 101. But the sense of satisfaction after a good decluttering session is real, and it can have a significant impact on mental health.Nostalgia, after all, provides comfort and a sense of connection. It creates a safe space and maybe a little escape from the hustle of life. Experts say this attachment stems from a fear of the future - What if I need it later and I don't have it?- Financial anxiety, emotional value, fear of regret, etc.On the other hand, it is also true that a cluttered environment adds to stress, affects focus and dulls creative thinking. Disorganisation creates a cycle of emotional or material dependency that may affect your brain in ways you might not understand.advertisementAccording to experts, this awkward rule might even be particularly effective for people with ADHD. Psychiatrist Jeff Ditzell, who specialises in ADHD, told The Washington Post that visual techniques like this one can make everyday decision-making easier. For those with ADHD, graphic imagery helps them visualise and therefore decide more quickly and with less stress.To all the horaders out there, would you give this one a try?