If your home feels cluttered and overwhelming, chances are you’re holding onto things you don’t actually need. Whether it’s old clothes, unused kitchen gadgets, or expired products, clutter takes up valuable space and adds unnecessary stress. The fastest way to create a cleaner, more organized home is to get rid of the excess—right now!
Not sure where to start? Here are 11 things you should throw out today to make your home tidier, more functional, and easier to manage.
1. Expired Pantry Items
Your pantry is probably hiding expired food, stale snacks, and forgotten ingredients that need to go. Keeping old food takes up valuable storage space and makes it harder to find the things you actually use.
What to toss:
- Expired canned goods and boxed foods.
- Stale chips, crackers, and cereals that no one will eat.
- Old spices that have lost their potency (if it’s over three years old, it’s time to go!).
Bonus Tip: Donate unopened, unexpired items to a food pantry before they go to waste.
2. Mismatched Plastic Containers & Lids
If your kitchen drawer is overflowing with random plastic containers that don’t have matching lids, it’s time to declutter the chaos.
What to toss:
- Containers with missing lids (or lids without containers).
- Warped, stained, or cracked plastic containers.
- Old takeout containers you never use.
What to do instead: Invest in a matching glass or BPA-free plastic set with stackable lids for a neater, more functional kitchen.
3. Clothes You Never Wear
Your closet is probably full of clothes you haven’t worn in years—whether they don’t fit, aren’t your style anymore, or are just worn out. Holding onto them only adds clutter and makes it harder to find what you actually love to wear.
What to toss:
- Clothes that haven’t been worn in over a year.
- Anything with stains, holes, or stretched-out fabric.
- Items that don’t fit but you’re holding onto “just in case.”
Bonus Tip: Donate gently worn clothes and recycle textiles that can’t be worn again.
4. Expired Beauty & Skincare Products
Makeup, lotions, and skincare products expire faster than you think. Using old products can irritate your skin, grow bacteria, or simply not work as well anymore.
What to toss:
- Mascara older than 3 months (it can harbor bacteria!).
- Expired skincare products that smell off or have changed texture.
- Old nail polish that’s thick and separated.
Pro Tip: Check the expiration symbol on the packaging (a small jar icon with a number, like “12M” for 12 months after opening).
5. Worn-Out Towels & Linens
Towels and sheets lose their softness and absorbency over time. If your linens are frayed, stiff, or full of holes, it’s time to replace them.
What to toss:
- Towels that are scratchy, torn, or thinning.
- Bed sheets with holes, pilling, or faded fabric.
- Mismatched pillowcases and worn-out blankets.
Bonus Tip: Repurpose old towels as cleaning rags or donate them to animal shelters!
6. Old & Broken Electronics
Do you have a drawer full of old phones, dead batteries, tangled cords, and outdated gadgets? It’s time to declutter your tech graveyard.
What to toss:
- Old cell phones, chargers, and outdated cables.
- Broken headphones or non-working remotes.
- Unused gadgets that no longer serve a purpose.
Bonus Tip: Recycle electronics responsibly at an e-waste drop-off center instead of tossing them in the trash.
7. Unused Kitchen Gadgets & Appliances
That waffle maker you never use? The juicer that takes up counter space but hasn’t been touched in months? If an appliance or gadget isn’t being used, it’s just taking up valuable space.
What to toss:
- Duplicate kitchen tools (do you really need 4 spatulas?).
- Appliances that haven’t been used in over a year.
- Gadgets that seemed useful but ended up being a hassle.
Extra Tip: Keep multi-functional appliances (like an Instant Pot) and donate or sell the rest.
8. Excess Coffee Mugs & Water Bottles
Somehow, we all end up with way too many mugs and water bottles—especially freebies from events and promotions. If your cabinets are overflowing, it’s time to keep only the ones you actually use.
What to toss:
- Mugs you never reach for.
- Bottles with missing lids or that leak.
- Novelty mugs that seemed fun but are just collecting dust.
Bonus Tip: Keep your favorite 3–4 mugs and water bottles and donate the rest.
9. Random Paper Clutter
Paper clutter adds up fast, from old receipts to expired coupons and junk mail. Sorting through it clears up space and reduces mental stress.
What to toss:
- Expired coupons and old receipts.
- Outdated magazines, newspapers, and brochures.
- Old manuals for things you don’t own anymore.
Extra Tip: Switch to digital statements and paperless billing to prevent future paper buildup.
10. Socks Without Matches & Worn-Out Undergarments
If you have a drawer full of single socks hoping their pair will magically reappear—it won’t. It’s time to let them go along with stretched-out underwear and bras that don’t fit anymore.
What to toss:
- Socks missing their match for months.
- Undergarments that are stretched out or uncomfortable.
- Old bras with broken straps or underwires.
Bonus Tip: Use single socks for dusting or as DIY pet toys before tossing them!
11. Unused Decor & Knick-Knacks
Too many small decorative items can make a space look cluttered and overwhelming. If you’re holding onto decor just because you’ve had it for years, it may be time to reassess and simplify.
What to toss:
- Decor that no longer fits your style.
- Knick-knacks that just collect dust.
- Wall art that feels outdated or uninspiring.
Pro Tip: Keep only the decor that brings you joy and complements your space.
*This article was created with the help of AI.