Britons are being encouraged to introduce a digital decluttering session into their cleaning routines to boost productivity, overall wellbeing, and even financial savings.
Experts at TelephoneSystems.Cloud have shared nine methods to help take control of digital clutter.
In a world flooded with notifications, unused apps, and endless digital distractions, one trend is quietly gaining momentum – digital decluttering.
The experts say this goes beyond simple organisation, it’s about mental clarity, financial control, and better time management.
A recent survey highlights the growing impact of digital overload, with 35% of people saying they spend between two and five hours a day checking their inbox. *
Meanwhile, UK government figures show nearly 10 million of 155 million active subscriptions are unused, costing consumers an estimated £1.6 billion a year. **
As Britons become increasingly reliant on technology for work and everyday life, more people are recognising the need to clean up their digital spaces, and not just their physical space.
Juliet Moran from TelephoneSystems.Cloud said: “Digital decluttering is just as important as tidying your home but it’s often overlooked.
“A cleaner digital space can boost productivity, improve focus, and even help you feel more in control of your day-to-day life.
“By reducing digital noise you create a calmer, more focused environment that can ease stress and anxiety and give you the time to focus on what really matters, both personally and professionally.
“So much of our time is spent online, and a few small changes can free up hours each week. From clearing out your inbox to cancelling unused subscriptions, digital decluttering helps you reclaim time and money.
“People are often shocked to learn how much they’re spending on forgotten subscriptions. A digital cleanse could end up saving you hundreds of pounds each year.”
9 practical ways to declutter your digital life:
Inbox overhaul
Inboxes can quickly clog up. Take the time to unsubscribe from marketing emails you no longer read. Creating folders or labels will also help you to sort anything important from the rest of your inbox.
App audit
If an app hasn’t been used in months, delete it. You can always re-download it if you need to. Grouping your apps into relevant folders and categories will also give your device a much tidier and user-friendly appearance.
File and cloud clean up
Old downloads and unused documents should be deleted to clear up space, and files should be organised into folders with consistent naming conventions. Back up any essential files to cloud or external storage, and don’t forget to empty the trash.
Browser declutter
Clearing your cache and cookies is often an overlooked part of a digital declutter but it can help to improve browser speed and performance. Deleting unused bookmarks will reduce visual clutter, and you should limit any browser extensions to essentials only.
Digital photo cleanse
It’s something a lot of people are guilty of, but you don’t need multiple shots of the same photo. Take some time to delete any junk, screenshots, or blurry duplicates, and create albums for important events. Don’t forget to back up your photos as well.
Notification management
Push notifications should be turned off for any non-essential apps, and if you feel like you need more focus in your digital life, try utilising applications like ‘Do Not Disturb’ and ‘Focus Mode’ during work or sleep.
Re-evaluate digital subscriptions
Subscription services can quickly add up. Ask yourself, do you use this service regularly? If the answer is no, cancel your subscription and save yourself the money. And set reminders before trial periods or renewals so you don’t get charged unexpectedly.
Declutter your calendar
Go through and cancel recurring meetings that no longer take place and unsubscribe from any unnecessary invites or shared calendars. Colour coding your calendar by categories can also help you visualise and prioritise tasks and events.
Organise your notes
Many of us are guilty of untidy notes. Spend some time going through the notes app on your device to delete any old checklists, shopping lists, or unnecessary content. Creating folders or tags can also help to keep anything important more accessible.
