Embrace “döstädning” to simplify your home sooner rather than later, using tips from local experts.
Written by Mary Cornetta
Although it’s often referred to as “Swedish death cleaning,” the philosophy behind the popular practice “döstädning” isn’t about preparing for death tomorrow. It’s about existing more intentionally today.
“While ‘death cleaning’ may sound morbid when translated, döstädning is about living thoughtfully,” says Lindsay Melvin, owner of Orchid Organizing, this year’s runner-up for Best Organizing Company. “It explains the concept of decluttering and clearing out belongings with the goal of easing the burden on your loved ones someday.”
Marge Von Lehmden, owner of House of Von, which was voted this year’s Best Organizing Company, agrees that the name can be misleading. “[Döstädning] is something you do for yourself or loved ones while they are still healthy, clear-minded, and alive,” she explains.
More than half of Von Lehmden’s clients fall into the sandwich generation, she notes, meaning they’ve already gone through the daunting and emotionally heavy task of sorting through parents’ attics packed with years of “treasures.” They don’t want to burden their own children with a similar experience.
Melvin notices similar turning points. “In my experience, most people aren’t motivated by the ‘stuff’ itself; they’re motivated by a shift,” she says. “It’s often a milestone moment: children leaving home, aging parents needing support, a move, a health scare, or even just the realization that their home no longer feels peaceful.”
Sometimes that shift comes abruptly, such as in the case of a job transfer or sudden move. And that’s where the practical side of Swedish death cleaning becomes clear.
“Sellers often need to move quickly,” says Salt Marsh Realty’s Christie Wallace-Bergen, this year’s runner-up for Best Real Estate Agent. “However, if they have many items with emotional attachment, the packing process can take longer. As people sort through their belongings, they naturally pause to reminisce, which can slow things down.”
And clutter doesn’t just delay the packing process; it can also stall a sale. Excess belongings “can cause stress for homeowners and potential buyers alike,” Wallace-Bergen says. “It’s difficult for buyers to see past clutter when viewing a home.” Prospective buyers naturally peek behind closet doors and into other storage spaces. And if they’re packed full, it can be hard for them to envision how much space there really is in a home.
That’s why adopting the mindset of letting go matters. “The home-selling process is emotional, regardless of the circumstances,” Wallace-Bergen adds. “The more items that need to be packed, the higher the stress level. Proactively decluttering can significantly reduce that stress and make the move smoother.”
Still, knowing it’s beneficial and actually starting are two different things.
“My best advice would be if you feel the itch, scratch it,” Von Lehmden says. She challenges clients with full attics or garages to ask themselves what they want to keep and why. “Having a target or specific goal is key to staying on-task and avoiding going down a rabbit hole,” she says.
Melvin encourages a gentle entry point: “I recommend starting small and low-emotion: a linen closet, a bathroom drawer, or paperwork.” Build momentum before tackling sentimental items, she suggests, since that is where many people get stuck.
“Objects hold stories, and releasing them can feel like erasing proof that those seasons mattered,” Melvin says. She also acknowledges the guilt of letting go of things that were gifted, investments, or inherited items. “And for many, there’s fear: ‘What if I need this someday?’ or ‘Will my children be upset if I let this go?’” she says.
Von Lehmden also witnesses that emotional weight up close in this line of work. “The biggest emotional hurdle that people fall into is making a correlation or comparison of the items within the boxes being a reflection of their past,” she explains. “They correlate the ‘mess’ as a reflection of themselves. It is a very humbling process and one that requires compassion and patience.”
Both organizers emphasize that döstädning isn’t about ruthless purging; it’s about curation. As Melvin puts it, “The goal isn’t to reduce a life down to a single bin; it’s to thoughtfully select the pieces that truly represent the story.”
Mindfulness is at the heart of döstädning, Von Lehmden says. She explains that it’s a process that invites you to reflect on your life while also letting go of possessions from your past or present that no longer add value or purpose. “The end result is very freeing,” she says.
As Melvin explains, “The beauty of the döstädning mindset is that it isn’t really about age; it’s about awareness. When you adopt this mindset earlier, you’re not preparing for death; you’re preventing overwhelm. You’re creating a home that reflects who you are today, not just who you’ve been.”
And perhaps that’s the real gift of Swedish death cleaning: not an empty home, but a lighter one, curated with intention and ready for whatever life brings next.
