The Laundry List Principle: Cleaning Up Code Without Losing Sight of the Big Picture
How to manage cleanup tasks in software development without turning your PR into a disaster.
Problem Statement
In software development, implementing a feature often feels like solving a puzzle or assembling blocks / modules / components together in a meaningful way. But more than often is working with a big ball of yarn or big ball of mud without much cohesion. Especially when numerous developers over many years have touched the codebase or the codebase is just out of date with current practices. It can be challenging focusing on the immediate task while leaving behind smaller, less urgent "cleanup" work. But what happens when that cleanup becomes a rabbit hole? Developers might get sidetracked by minor optimizations or refactoring tasks, diluting focus on the core story. Worse, bloating pull requests (PRs) with unrelated changes makes reviews harder and increases the risk of introducing bugs.
How do you balance the need for clean code with the pressure to deliver features efficiently? This is where the laundry list approach comes in—a structured way to manage cleanup tasks without sacrificing clarity or productivity.
The Principle: "Keep It Cleaner Than You Left It"
Inspired by the Scouts’ ethos of leaving a campsite better than you found it, this principle advocates for maintaining (or improving) the codebase with every change.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about responsibility: you don’t leave messes for others to clean up.
The idea is simple: when implementing a feature, document all cleanup tasks in a list. But here’s the twist—don’t address everything immediately. Instead, prioritize what truly matters. The goal isn’t to fix all issues but to ensure the codebase stays healthy and manageable over time.
Practice: How to Use Your Laundry List
Create Your List Early
While working on a feature, jot down any cleanup tasks (e.g., removing unused variables, improving test coverage, or simplifying logic). This list acts as your roadmap for post-implementation work.
Prioritize with Purpose
After merging the main PR, review your list and rank items by urgency and impact. Focus on high-value fixes first—those that reduce technical debt, improve readability, or eliminate edge cases.
Split Into Smaller PRs
Break down complex cleanup tasks into smaller, focused pull requests. This ensures reviewers can easily assess each change and reduces the risk of merge conflicts.
Archive Once Done
After addressing your top priorities, discard the list. If a task is critical enough to revisit, it’ll surface again in future work. The goal is not to “finish” everything but to make progress without over committing.
Iterate and Improve
Think of your laundry list as a dynamic tool. As you gain experience, refine the criteria for what deserves attention—whether it’s performance optimizations, code readability, or long-term maintainability.
Why It Works
This approach avoids the trap of “fixing everything at once,” which can lead to burnout or incomplete work. By treating cleanup as a continuous process rather than a one-time task, you ensure your codebase evolves healthily over time.
It’s about balancing immediate needs with long-term responsibility—keeping your team focused on what truly matters.
Final Thought
The laundry list isn’t just a checklist—it’s a mindset. It turns the chaos of cleanup into a structured, intentional practice that keeps your codebase clean, your team productive, and your features delivering value.