Decluttering your home can make it feel more organized and peaceful. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide what to throw away.
Old towels
When your towels are no longer usable, there’s no reason to hold onto them. If they’re discolored, fraying, or just worn out, consider donating them or tossing them instead of letting them pile up in your bathroom. Animal shelters often accept old towels as donations, giving them a new purpose while supporting a good cause.
Unmatched socks
You’re unlikely to ever find the missing pairs, so there’s no need to hang onto them. If you’ve had a pile of old socks sitting around, it’s time to toss them or repurpose them. Get creative by turning them into sock puppets, or recycle them as stuffing for toys.
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Cds and DVDs
In today’s homes, DVDs and CDs are rarely used. If you have a collection gathering dust, it’s probably best to donate or sell them. Some websites even pay for old CDs, so sorting through them could be worthwhile.
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Old knives
The first set of knives you buy is often not the best quality. Cheap knives dull quickly and can’t be sharpened properly. Investing in good quality knives is safer, as dull blades are more likely to cause accidents. It might be time to upgrade to better knives.
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Expired spices
Yes, spices can expire. While they won’t make you sick, old spices lose their flavor and can taste stale. Go through your spice rack, toss out any spices you never use, and you’ll free up space in your cabinet.
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Old razors
Get rid of those old razors. Many of us leave razors on the side of the bathtub, only to have them rust. Rusty razors are unsafe and can cause cuts or infections. To avoid rust, throw away disposable razors after a few days of use.
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Old bedsheets and pillows
If your bedsheets are old, worn out, and discolored, it’s time to upgrade. Old sheets, especially pillowcases, can lead to frizzy hair and acne by transferring dirt to your skin. Invest in breathable cotton sheets that are durable and can handle frequent washing, giving you a fresher, more comfortable sleep.
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Plastic grocery bags
Most households have a bag full of plastic grocery bags they plan to reuse, but that collection often just keeps growing. Instead of holding onto them, recycle the bags at your nearest recycling station and invest in reusable shopping totes.
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Food containers without lids
Where do they go? We all have cabinets filled with random food tubs and containers we’ve collected over the years “just in case.” However, if they don’t have lids or are bent out of shape, they’re pretty much useless for storage. It’s time to clear them out.
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Chipped mugs
You may have had that chipped mug for years, but chipped ceramic can harbor a lot of bacteria. Once the surface is worn away, microorganisms can get in, and no amount of washing can keep them clean. Dispose of these mugs and invest in a new, more durable set.
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Clothes that don’t fit
Clothes should fit you, not the other way around. Let go of items that are too big or too small, and consider donating or selling them. You can earn some extra cash by selling them secondhand, which you can put toward buying clothes that actually fit.
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Loofahs
Loofahs can be a breeding ground for bacteria because they stay warm and wet. After a while, it’s best to throw them out and replace them. For a more eco-friendly option, consider using organic loofahs made from plants or other natural materials.
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One time use appliances
Did that heart-shaped waffle maker get used as much as you thought it would? Novelty appliances often see just one or two uses before being tucked away in a cabinet, collecting dust and taking up valuable space. Consider donating or selling it to free up some extra storage in your kitchen.
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Old electronic cords
Your phone now has a completely new charging port and cable, so why keep the one from three phones ago? Many people store old cables and wires in a random drawer for years, thinking they might need them. However, with technology constantly changing, it’s time to toss those 10-year-old wires.
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Glasses with an outdated prescription
You have a new prescription for a reason, so there’s no need to hold onto that old pair of eyeglasses. Keeping old glasses only adds to the clutter in your home, and you’re unlikely to need them again. Toss them out or check if your optometrist offers a recycling program.
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Old sunscreen
Once sunscreen has been open for a while, it starts to lose its effectiveness. If you can’t remember the last time you used that bottle, it’s best to throw it out. It’s better to be safe than sorry—you might accidentally get sunburned by using an old bottle.
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Old receipts
Many of us do this. Unless you’re purchasing something important or need it for tax reasons, there’s no need to keep old grocery receipts. They contribute to paper clutter in your home, and even if you collect them, it’s often difficult to find the one you need.
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Plastic cutlery
If you have a spare set from takeout or took extra cutlery from a cafe, it’s time to stop letting plastic utensils pile up in your home. Taking more plastic than you need is bad for the environment, and you’re unlikely to use them if you have proper cutlery at home.
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Old condiment packets
We often collect more condiments than we need from fast food trips, but they do eventually expire. If your kitchen drawers or fridge doors are filled with little plastic sachets that you know you won’t use, it’s time to throw them out or take them to work for others to use at lunchtime.
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Baby stuff
It’s time to let go. Keep a few mementos for sentimental value, but consider donating or selling the rest. There are always people seeking baby items, as they can be expensive to buy new. Check out Facebook groups or charities that accept donations.
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Promotional/charity t-shirts
Sometimes we open our closets and wonder how we accumulated so many random t-shirts. Whether they’re from charity events, school days, or trips, many of us have novelty t-shirts we never wear. If you have a large collection, consider donating them to free up some wardrobe space.
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Old makeup
Makeup has an expiration date, which can be surprising if you’ve held onto a powder compact for years. Many makeup products contain fresh ingredients or oils that can spoil, so it’s important to check the use-by date on the packaging, especially for eye and lip products.
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Dead batteries
We’ve all experienced it: changing batteries only to find dead ones put back in. As soon as your batteries are dead, throw them away. This will save you hassle and clutter, and you’ll know when it’s time to buy new ones.
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Painful shoes
If you never wear them, what’s the point of keeping them? It can be tough to donate or sell something you love the look of, but if it just sits unused, it’s better to let someone else enjoy it. You can use the money from selling them to buy shoes you’ll actually wear.
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Old bras
Old bras often linger in our drawers until they fall apart. If you’re not wearing a bra because it’s the wrong size, out of style, or damaged, it’s time to toss it! If they’re still in good condition, consider donating them to women’s shelters.
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Old mattresses
Mattresses can be quite expensive, so it’s understandable to hold onto them until they’re worn out. However, since we spend a lot of time sleeping, having a good mattress is essential for our health. If yours is uncomfortable or painful, it’s time to throw it out and upgrade immediately.
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Old phones
Are you ever going to use that Nokia from 2005? Many of us have old phones lying around for sentimental reasons or out of fear we might need them in an emergency. The truth is, you probably won’t need it again—and it might not even turn on—so it’s time to throw it away or recycle it.
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Travel toiletries
They often seem like a good idea at the time, but we usually bring them home only for them to clutter up the bathroom cabinet. Instead of buying these one-use items, consider investing in a travel kit that you can fill with your own products for vacations.
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Unused kitchen tools
Spiralizers, egg poachers, and grape slicers—do you really use them that often? Novelty appliances and unnecessary kitchen tools can take up a lot of space in your home, so it’s time to fill a donation box. It’s better for secondhand stores to have them than for you to keep them.
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Instruction manuals
If you’ve had that washing machine for 10 years, you definitely know how to use it by now. Many people hold onto every instruction manual they receive, but the truth is, you probably won’t need to read them again. Start tossing out old manuals, and you’ll notice a significant reduction in clutter around your home.
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Dead plants
It’s time to let go of that dead plant—it’s not coming back to life. Whether you’ve had it for a week or five years, keeping it around only invites mold and flies into your home. Once it’s dead, it’s best to dispose of it.
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Broken / unused jewelry
Jewelry can carry significant sentimental value, but if you don’t wear it and it’s not a family heirloom, it’s best to donate, sell, or recycle it. If the clasp is unfixable or it’s cheap and rusted, there’s no reason to keep it in your jewelry box.
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Greeting cards
Keep a few cards that hold sentimental value, but consider getting rid of the rest. Many people hold onto every card they receive, which can quickly accumulate. Instead of storing a pile of paper in your home, recycle them or transform them into a collage to save space.
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Old stationary
If that pen is out of ink, it’s time to throw it away. Many people have a pen pot on their desk where only one out of ten pens actually works. Keep a bin in your office, and when a pen or pencil breaks, toss it out to save space and keep your desk looking tidy.
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Expired pantry foods
Your pantry likely needs a good clear-out from time to time. We often forget that dried foods don’t last forever, so it might be time to throw some items away. Foods like flour can go bad after six months, as can cereal and organic products with fewer preservatives.
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Excessive paperwork
That pile of paper may seem overwhelming, but it’s important to go through it. One of the biggest sources of clutter in homes is paper, including old bills, bank statements, and random work letters. Tackling this clutter is essential to creating a more organized space.
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Old magazines
Unless you have a collection of ultra-rare vintage magazines, it’s time to let them go. Magazines can be bulky and take up a lot of space in your home, so keep only the best ones (and be strict about it) and throw out or recycle the rest.
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Last year’s calendar
You may have kept that old calendar to transfer birthdays and important dates, but if you never get around to it, it’s time to throw it away. You likely won’t revisit it, and you probably have birthdays saved on social media or your phone for easy reference.
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Old prescriptions
Not only do old prescriptions take up a lot of space in the medicine cabinet, but they can also be dangerous. It’s unwise to take expired medications, as your needs may have changed, or they might no longer be effective.
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Old freezer food
Even food in the freezer needs to be eaten or thrown out eventually. While freezing can extend the shelf life of our food, it’s not indefinite. Fish and meat should be consumed within three to four months of freezing, and cooked meals should be reheated within a month.
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