National Clean Your Desk Day – January 11, 2027

National Clean Your Desk Day
Categories:
Tags:
CareerWeird NationalWork
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Second Monday of January
Holiday emoji:
🧹

National Clean Your Desk Day sweeps into action every second Monday of January, urging us to tackle the clutter that accumulates in our workspaces. This annual observance is a perfect opportunity to declutter both physically and digitally. Take time today to organize your files, wipe down surfaces, and create a more inspiring work environment.

Want to sponsor National Clean Your Desk Day? Learn how

Expected National Clean Your Desk Day Deals

While specific 2027 promotions are still under wraps, history shows retailers like Staples, Office Depot, and Amazon often roll out deals on organizational supplies, cleaning products, and ergonomic accessories around this time. Look for discounts on desk organizers, file cabinets, sanitizing wipes, and monitor stands. Productivity software companies such as Evernote and Todoist might offer trial extensions or premium upgrades. Even home goods stores like Container Store could feature sales on storage solutions. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 11 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Clean Your Desk Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #CleanYourDeskDay. Share your before-and-after desk transformations, organizing hacks, or favorite desk accessories.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #CleanYourDeskDay. Create short, engaging videos demonstrating quick decluttering tips, satisfying cleaning routines, or funny ‘messy desk’ relatable content.

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #CleanYourDeskDay. Share professional insights on the link between a tidy workspace and increased productivity, or host a virtual ‘desk clean-up’ challenge for your team.

Social Media Tips for National Clean Your Desk Day

Individuals

Dedicate 15 minutes to clearing your desk of non-essentials, wiping down surfaces, and organizing digital files. You'll be amazed by the immediate impact on your focus.

Creators

Produce a 'Desk Makeover' video series, showcasing budget-friendly organization ideas, DIY cleaning solutions, or a week-long challenge to maintain a pristine workspace.

Brands

Launch a 'Clean Desk Challenge' contest, encouraging followers to share photos of their organized desks for a chance to win office supplies or productivity tools.

Top Brands for National Clean Your Desk Day

  1. Staples

    Founded in 1986 in Brighton, Massachusetts, Staples is one of the largest office supply retailers in the world. They offer a vast array of products from paper and pens to furniture and cleaning supplies, making them a go-to for desk organization.

  2. The Container Store

    Established in 1978 in Dallas, Texas, The Container Store specializes in storage and organization products for every area of the home and office. They provide innovative solutions for decluttering and maximizing workspace efficiency.

  3. Clorox

    The Clorox Company, founded in 1913 in Oakland, California, is a global manufacturer of consumer and professional cleaning products. Their wipes and sprays are essential for sanitizing desks and reducing germ transmission in the workplace.

  4. Evernote

    Launched in 2008, Evernote is a popular note-taking and organization app that helps users capture ideas, manage tasks, and keep digital information organized. It's a key tool for decluttering the virtual desktop.

  5. IKEA

    The Swedish multinational conglomerate, founded in 1943, designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances, and home accessories. IKEA offers numerous affordable and stylish desk organization and storage solutions.

  6. Post-it (3M)

    Introduced by 3M in 1980, Post-it Notes are iconic adhesive notes used worldwide for reminders, brainstorming, and quick organization. They offer a simple yet effective way to manage tasks and keep important information visible.

  7. Fellowes

    Founded in 1917, Fellowes is a global manufacturer and marketer of business machines, records storage, and office accessories. They produce shredders, laminators, and a range of desk organizers designed for improved workflow and comfort.

National Clean Your Desk Day Hero

Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant and author, best known for her 'KonMari' method of decluttering. Her philosophy, which encourages keeping only items that 'spark joy,' has inspired millions to tidy their homes and workspaces, promoting a more mindful approach to possessions and productivity.

History of National Clean Your Desk Day

The organized clean-enthusiast who started this celebration is Anne Moeller in Clio, Michigan. Celebrated on the second Monday of January, it is likely that this holiday is the result of the cluttered desktops pre and post the Christmas season and New Year. Who knows? The holiday may have stemmed from a New Year’s resolution!

It is essential to have a proper workspace for anyone to be productive. Your workstation is your work zone and, if it is not functional, it can impede creativity, the completion of tasks, and workflow. Think about it, don’t we all just hate it when we can’t find a pen or when an important document is buried under the clutter on our desks? It is proven again and again that a well-organized space boosts productivity and allows workers to better focus on work. It’s quite therapeutic, really. 

The word ‘desk’ was coined in the 14th century but only became widely used in the 18th century. Desks were mostly used by legal professionals and clergymen but, today, they are found almost everywhere. After the Industrial Revolution, work shifted from intense physical labor to desktops. Before computers became mainstream and most work went digital, drawers (a lot of them) were the way to go for organizing workspaces. After computers became the norm, unnecessary paperwork was gradually disposed of, but with the many USBs and plugins required for maintaining data digitally, we still end up with messy desks! 

Students and creative people such as artists, writers, makeup artists, etc., are among those with the messiest desks! Given how important it is to be focused and achieve our work goals, it is wise to spend some time cleaning and organizing our desks, rather than waste hours searching for missing items.

But here’s why we should do a thorough job of it today. The average work desk can be 400 times filthier than a toilet. As gross and dramatic as those statistics might be, they’re unfortunately true. Most germs thrive on computers and keyboards. Today’s a good day to give your laptop a thorough cleaning. 

What’s more, people who work in cluttered environments often suffer from unrecognized stress. Random items, documents, and scraps of paper can slowly pile up on our desks. They’re not just unappealing to look at but extremely stress-inducing. Cluttered desks are just plain inefficient. Where’s the notepad when I need it? I could’ve sworn that file was right here. It’s the stuff of nightmares, especially when you’re pressed for time. 

Modern lifestyles are synonymous with stress. The good news is that we can alleviate much of it through small actions. Working in clean and bright spaces has been proven to reduce stress. Tidy desks first thing each morning can instantly uplift moods. Want to take it one step further? Adorn your desk with indoor plants or seasonal flowers. Prop up a favorite piece of art or pictures of your loved ones. Clean, aesthetically pleasing desks can do wonders for motivation and productivity levels.

 

National Clean Your Desk Day timeline

1350
Latin Origins

The Modern Latin word 'desca' means 'table to write on', and this gives birth to the word 'desk'.

1700s
A Shift In Working Trends

More people move away from labor-intensive work in favor of desk jobs.

1800s
The First Commercial Offices

The first commercial offices begin to appear in industrial cities throughout the northern U.S.

1876
A Grand Office Furniture Expo

The Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia is all about new office equipment and furniture, featuring fancy roll-top desks and new filing systems.

1900s
A Boom In Office Furniture Production

Steel desks become popular since they can withstand continual pounding on typewriters and carry heavy loads of paper.

2009
The First Office Chair Race

Bad Koenig-Zell, Germany, is the first place to host the Office Chair Racing Championship, with around 70 people participating!

2012
Officially Filthy

Researchers at San Diego University find that the average office has over 500 species of bacteria.

2013
Clean Desks Aid Healthy Living

Researchers at the University of Minnesota discover correlations between tidy desks and clean eating habits.

National Clean Your Desk Day FAQs

When is National Clean Your Desk Day?

In 2027, National Clean Your Desk Day is observed on Monday, January 11. It serves as a timely reminder at the start of the new year to refresh your professional environment.

How much dirtier is a desk than a toilet seat?

Research indicates that a typical office desk harbors significantly more bacteria than a toilet seat, sometimes up to 400 times more. This statistic underscores the critical need for consistent desk sanitization.

What are the benefits of a clean desk?

Beyond aesthetics, maintaining a tidy workspace can boost creativity, enhance professional image, and foster a sense of control. It’s a simple step toward a more efficient and positive workday.

Should I also clean my digital desktop?

Yes, a digital declutter is just as crucial as a physical one. A well-organized computer desktop, with files neatly categorized, can save time and reduce digital distractions, complementing your physical clean-up efforts.

National Clean Your Desk Day Activities

  1. Say goodbye to the junk

    Throw. Shred. Recycle. Cleaning begins with getting rid of what you don't need.

  2. Organize, declutter, and destress

    A cluttered desk creates anxiety. And that doesn't help when you're in the midst of a busy workday.

  3. Make it an event

    Involve your colleagues. Have a "cleanest desk" competition. Post pictures of your desk on social media.

5 Stunning Facts About Offices

  1. The typewriter changed the desk

    Once the typewriter was invented, the design of the desk evolved — because the rolltop design no longer worked.

  2. Darwin put wheels on the chair

    Charles Darwin revolutionized the office chair by adding wheels. This helped him get to his specimens quicker while in his study.

  3. Clean that keyboard

    There are 16 million microbes on a typical office keyboard. Yikes!

  4. Everyone loses things

    The average office employee spends six weeks per year looking for something.

  5. How clean is your office?

    Only 3 percent of offices clean their equipment regularly.

Why We Love National Clean Your Desk Day

  1. It helps you organize and declutter

    This day pushes you to clean and organize your workspace and make it more functional. Uncluttered desks equal clear heads. A beautiful, tidy desk is an excellent way to kickstart the new year.

  2. It makes you more productive

    The serenity that comes with cleanliness helps you focus better and gets things done. Messy workspaces can cost us. Did you know that we lose up to four hours per week just looking for misplaced files? Clean desks make everyone more efficient and productive.

  3. Keeps things stress-free

    No more worrying about misplacing stuff, and no wasting time looking for things. Phew! We catch germs every time we touch office stuff – whether that’s a work desk or home office. Our phones, computers, and keyboards are hotbeds of bacteria. Cleaning off desks more regularly can help people stay healthier.

National Clean Your Desk Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 January 12 Monday
2027 January 11 Monday
2028 January 10 Monday
2029 January 8 Monday
2030 January 14 Monday