January 12

National Clean Your Desk Day

It's National Clean Your Desk Day! Get organized and tidy up your workspace - you'll feel more productive and motivated with a clutter-free desk.

Yearly Date

Second Monday in January

Observed in

United States

Introduction

It's time to tidy up and get organized with National Clean Your Desk Day on the Second Monday in January! This day was created to encourage people to take a few moments out of their busy lives and clean up their workspace for improved efficiency, productivity, and a better working atmosphere. Whether you're at home or at the office, if your desk is cluttered and disorganized it can make it difficult to focus on tasks. So why not use this day as an opportunity to declutter and organize your desk for a fresh start?

National Clean Your Desk Day Timeline

1982

Origination of the Holiday

National Clean Your Desk Day was first observed, aiming to encourage office professionals to cleanse their workspace for improved efficiency.

1990s

Growth of Home Offices

As working from home becomes more common in the 90s, the desk cleaning practice gains more relevance in residential settings.

2000

Studies on Clean Desks

Research studies begin surfacing, showing a link between clean workspaces and increased productivity and mental well-being.

2010

Popularity of Minimalism

The concept of minimalism becomes popular, further promoting the decluttering culture including desk cleaning.

2020

Pandemic's Impact

With more people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, National Clean Your Desk Day gains more significance.

How to Celebrate National Clean Your Desk Day

1 Organize your desk

Start by organizing your desk space into sections, such as one for work related items, one for personal items, and one for miscellaneous. Then, within each section, sort items into piles based on what you use most and least.

2 Clean off your desktop

Take all the items off your desktop and sort through them. Keep the essentials, like a pen holder, paperclip holder, etc., and discard or recycle anything else you don’t need.

3 Dust and wipe down surfaces

Use a microfiber cloth to dust off the entire surface of your desk to get rid of all that pesky dust. Then wipe it down with a damp cloth to make sure everything is sparkling clean.

4 Tidy up drawers and cabinets

Open up each drawer or cabinet and sort through the items inside. Discard any items you don’t need, organize any loose papers, and use drawer organizers to keep everything in its place.

5 Add office plants

Adding a few office plants can help brighten up your workspace while also improving air quality. Just make sure you pick plants that are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance.

Why National Clean Your Desk Day is Important

Organization is important

Having an organized workspace makes for a more productive day. You're able to easily find the items you need and save time from searching through piles of clutter. A clean desk also helps reduce stress and allows you to focus on tasks without feeling overwhelmed by your surroundings.

Encourages motivation

Coming back to a neat, organized space each day gives you something positive to look forward to. It can help build momentum when it comes to starting work and encourages you to stay focused until the end of the day. Plus, a tidy desk instills a sense of pride in achievement which can be a great motivation tool!

Staying healthy

A cluttered desk isn't just unsightly - it can cause headaches, fatigue and other health issues from all the dust and germs collected in its crevices. Taking the initiative to clear out your workspace means less stress for you and fewer chances of catching viruses or other illnesses.