Retirement Life
28 January 2026
Swedish Death Cleaning: more about living than dying
We’ve had Marie Kondo and the KonMari method. We’ve embraced Danish hygge, lagom, and many other minimalist trends promising calmer homes and happier lives. But the latest Scandinavian concept to get airtime is Swedish Death Cleaning - or döstädning. And despite its confronting name, it’s far less morbid than it sounds.
At its heart, Swedish Death Cleaning is less about death and more about living more lightly and considerately, both for yourself and for the people who’ll one day have to clean out your stuff.
What is döstädning?
The term comes from the Swedish words dö (death) and städning (cleaning) and gained popularity after the 2017 publication of Swedish author Margareta Magnusson’s bestselling book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.
Döstädning encourages people to clear out as much of their physical and digital clutter as possible while they’re still alive. This spares friends and family the emotional and logistical burden of doing it later on. But it’s not a one-off purge. It’s a mindset - a way of relating to your possessions that is beneficial at almost any age.
Why bother?
There’s the practical benefit of not leaving behind a houseful of chaos, but there are real benefits while you’re still alive too. Research increasingly links clutter reduction to improved psychological well-being, greater mental clarity, and reduced stress.
Viewed this way, Swedish Death Cleaning becomes less about death and more about living – all by more intentionally choosing what deserves a place in your life, and what doesn’t.
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How to start
The first step is getting your head right. Döstädning isn’t about deprivation or racing toward an empty house. The guiding question is simple: ‘Will someone else be burdened by this if I don’t deal with it?’ From there, ask whether you actively use or genuinely love an item - and whether anyone else would value it once you’re gone.
Start small
Your wardrobe is a great place to start, getting rid of the duplicates, the wrong sizes, the things you never wear, and the ‘I’ll fix it one day’ pile.
Try to declutter by category rather than room. Complete all the books in one go, then the paperwork. Tackling oversized items early on is a great morale booster too - like getting rid of that broken fridge or unused couch - it’s amazingly satisfying.
Gift thoughtfully
If there’s something you no longer need that someone else has admired or would genuinely enjoy, pass it on while you can see them appreciate it.
Sentimental items deserve special treatment too. Letters, photos, cards and keepsakes don’t have to go just because only you will love them. Keep them together in a box you can pull out and enjoy. Just make a note that it’s to be binned once you’re gone.
Organise what you keep
Label what you keep. Group important documents together. Organise things sensibly and make things easy to understand - for yourself now, and for others later.
Think beyond physical clutter
Swedish Death Cleaning also applies to the digital world. Digitise photos so they’re easy to share. Consolidate important documents. Write down key passwords and store them safely.
And don’t undermine the process by constantly bringing new things in. Before buying, ask: Do I really need this? Do I love it? Will it make my life better? If not, walk away.
Involve friends and family
Let friends and family know what you’re doing. They may want certain items, help you sort, or even share memories along the way. You never know; it could be a great discussion starter for sorting out the kids’ items still stored at your place too.
Swedish Death Cleaning isn’t about getting rid of everything. It’s about keeping what matters and letting go of what doesn’t…again and again. Think of it as a practice, not a purge.
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Written by:
Sonia Speedy
Sonia Speedy has been a journalist for over 20 years, working in newspapers, magazines and radio. She also runs an online platform for parents at familytimes.co.nz. She lives on the Kāpiti Coast with her young family and loves writing stories that help make people's lives easier.
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