I Tried the Viral "House Purse" Hack to Make Organizing Easier

I’m always up for trying a new organization hack, but when I found one that allowed me to channel my inner Golden Girl? Let’s just say my curiosity was definitely piqued. You see, I have one big thing in common with Sophia: We both love a good purse.

Sophia (played by the late, great Estelle Getty) always carried her signature straw bag, even when she was just walking around the house. It was kind of like her security blanket … but with storage. It always made me laugh, but decades later, her quirky habit is shockingly similar to the house-purse hack currently making its rounds on the internet. And I have to say, it sounded like a genius way to stay organized.

Since I could always use some help keeping myself and my house organized, I decided to give this a go and see if it was truly as life-changing as TikTok promised. Instead of Sophia’s small purse, I upgraded to a large canvas tote bag, followed the internet’s house-purse rules and carried it around—yep, inside my house—for a week.

Weird? Yes. Helpful? Also yes. Here’s how my test went—and whether you should also try the house-purse trick to get your life in order.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more news, home hacks, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

What is a house purse, exactly?

A house purse is exactly what it sounds like: It’s a purse (or other type of tote) that you carry around your house. Just as you would fill up an “outside” purse or bag with all the things you’d need while you’re out and about, a house purse contains everything you’d need while you’re in and about.

Think about it: How much time do you spend on any given day looking for your phone or lip balm? With a house purse, all you have to do is reach in and grab what you need. Total time-saver!

Does it have to be a purse?

@cindellkimbrough Replying to @Bailey Chisholm Consider it done ✅ I relate more and more to Sophia as I get older 😅 #goldengirls #housepurse #housecaddy ♬ original sound – Riot Ten

As I alluded to above, no. I opted for a roomier tote, and shower caddies are also an option, as seen in this viral video that documents the trend. It could also be a cart, fanny pack, backpack or any number of other things you can fill and tote around easily to get the job done. The bottom line is that it’s less about fashion than function, although having a cute house purse will probably make you smile a little more. (Bonus!)

While the house purse is being touted as a “new” trend, various iterations of it have been around for years. In fact, the shower-caddy video reminds me of those stair baskets you keep on the bottom or top step to fill with small items (discarded socks and abandoned toys, anyone?) so that you can bring everything up, or down, together at the end of the day. So, no, the concept isn’t new, but you’ll never hear me complaining about old organizational hacks being repurposed for a new generation.

What sorts of things should you put inside a house purse?

It’s a matter of personal preference, but in my little experiment, I used a canvas tote that I received with my subscription to the New Yorker. Here’s what I loaded it up with:

A notebook and a planner
Pens
My glasses
My reading tablet or current book
A pack of tissues
AirPods
Lip balm or gloss
A bottle of hand lotion
A water bottle
My phone

What happened when I tried it?

If it sounds like I was commuting to work in my own house, you wouldn’t be too far off. I do work from home, and these were the basic necessities I kept with me to avoid wasting time looking for them or, even worse, cluttering up my various at-home workspaces. In fact, when I wrote this article, I was camped at a small writing table with a hook on the side. I hung my house purse from it, and it kept the table clear of all those little items so I could work freely.

The house purse is handy in other ways too. There were times I walked around the house with an empty tote. I’d go from room to room, either picking up errant items (gloves, toys, books) or putting them away, with the ultimate goal of having an empty bag again. It turned out to be a great way to declutter and get organized before cleaning.

If you have kids, it could also be a fun way to get them to help you clean the house. I’d suggest passing out those reusable totes from the grocery store as house purses and giving them the task of relocating their toys and other items to their rightful places.

Another surprise perk of my house purse? My lips and hands are now incredibly well moisturized. Every time I reach into my bag, I grab either balm or lotion and apply it. I might actually escape chapped lips and hands this winter!

So does the house-purse hack actually work?

It sure does. It’s like having an extra set of hands because I can now carry around a bunch of stuff that I would otherwise be running from room to room or floor to floor to retrieve. Those minutes add up. I’d say I save at least 30 minutes a day with my house purse, mostly because I no longer roam the house in search of my phone, AirPods or lip balm. Sure, it cuts down on my steps per day—in fact, I’ve noticed my Apple Watch has been nudging me to stand up more lately!—but it saves me from distraction and keeps me on task.

If there is one drawback, it’s that I had to get used to walking around the house with a bag. It feels like I should be getting ready to leave for the grocery store rather than going down to the basement to watch a movie with my husband. Once I’m down there on the couch, though, I love that I don’t have to run back upstairs to get something. Assuming I’ve packed my house purse well, it’s already with me. I’ve even taken to throwing some of my husband’s stuff in there so we’re both set for movie night.

So, yes, the house purse hack is definitely worth a try. Just pick a bag or container you have lying around. Maybe it’s the same style of bag you like to carry when you go out, or maybe it’s something completely different. Either way, the ideal bag for you is one that carries everything you need (or need to discard) during the day, and it’s a super-simple way to add some organization to your life.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.