NEW YORK — Gearing up to declutter your home and life can be daunting, but small jobs can have a major effect, said Ms Amelia Pleasant Kennedy, a decluttering expert in Detroit. “I call them decluttering sprints,” she said.

I asked experts for three projects you can do in under 30 minutes.

LET GO OF MYSTERY CHARGERS AND CORDS

Many of us, said Ms Melissa Dilkes Pateras, an organising expert and author, have a dusty box or bag of mystery cords, chargers, remote controls and reusable batteries that we’re afraid to throw out. She suggested separating the items into piles.

“Think about all of the things in your house that have cords or chargers, and go through and try them,” she said. If nothing fits, out they go.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER OUT OF YOUR CAR

Even the most committed neatnik may have a different attitude when it comes to their car. To start, Ms Kennedy said, round up a garbage bag, wet wipes, glass cleaner and a dry cloth.

Check the doors, the cup holder, the center console, the glove box, under the front seats, the back pockets of the car seats and the trunk.

Throw away anything that’s outdated or doesn’t belong. Keep only as many reusable bags in your car as you use for your biggest grocery shopping trip.

DIG OUT FROM UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK

Ms Shira Gill, an organising expert and author, calls this area a “shove-and-pile zone".

“Even if you’re the only one who sees it,” she said, “clear it out as a treat for yourself". First, pull out everything from under the sink. Wipe off the surfaces, and get rid of expired products and worn-out items.

Toss out specialty cleaning products that you haven’t used in at least a year, Ms Gill said.

Ms Kennedy recommended getting a caddy and stocking it with multipurpose cleaners and microfiber towels

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.