Your kitchen can get cluttered with things that are old, unsafe, or just not useful anymore. Clearing out these items can make cooking easier and keep your kitchen cleaner.
Knowing what to throw out can help you avoid waste, improve food safety, and make your kitchen more organized. Taking time to get rid of these common items will create a better space for you to cook and enjoy.
Warped plastic containers
If your plastic containers are warped, it’s time to toss them. Warping usually happens from heat, like the dishwasher or microwave.
Warped containers don’t seal well, which can lead to spills or spoiled food. They can also trap stains and odors you can’t get rid of. Replacing them keeps your kitchen safer and cleaner. Plus, it’s easier to find containers that work better for you.
Old, chipped ceramic mugs
If your ceramic mugs have chips or cracks, it’s time to toss them. These small damages can cause the mug to break when you pour something hot.
Using chipped mugs can be unsafe and might even cause cuts. Plus, they don’t look great and can hold onto stains or bacteria. Better to replace them with ones that are fully intact and clean. You’ll feel safer and your drinks will taste better too.
Expired spices
You might think spices last forever, but their flavor fades over time. Using old spices won’t harm you, but your food won’t taste as good.
If your spices are past their “best by” date or more than six months old, it’s a good idea to toss them. Fresh spices make your meals more flavorful.
Cracked cutting boards
If your cutting board has cracks or deep scratches, it’s time to toss it. Bacteria can hide in those grooves, even after washing.
Wood boards with cracks can be hard to clean and might not be safe anymore. Plastic boards are the same—once they get damaged, they can trap germs. It’s safer to replace cracked cutting boards to keep your kitchen healthy.
Dull knives
You should throw out dull knives. They are unsafe because you have to use more force, which can cause slips and cuts.
Dull knives also make cooking harder and slow you down. It’s better to use sharp knives or replace ones that don’t hold an edge well. Keeping sharp knives helps you cook more easily and safely. You’ll save time and avoid frustration.
Nonstick pans with deep scratches
If your nonstick pan has deep scratches, it’s time to toss it. Scratches can release tiny particles into your food that you don’t want to eat.
Using a scratched pan can also mean the nonstick coating is breaking down. This makes cooking harder and cleaning tougher. To keep your kitchen safe and easy to use, don’t hold on to these damaged pans. Replace them when you see big scratches or peeling.
Old cooking oils
You should get rid of old cooking oils once they start to smell bad or change color. Used oils can go rancid and affect the taste of your food.
To toss them, pour the oil into a disposable container and freeze it. When solid, you can throw it in the trash without making a mess. This keeps your kitchen cleaner and safer.
Bent or rusty baking sheets
If your baking sheets are bent, they won’t heat evenly. This can affect how your food cooks. Rusty sheets can be unsafe to use because rust may get into your food.
It’s best to toss bent or rusty sheets and replace them with new ones. This keeps your kitchen safer and your meals better cooked.
Frayed dish towels
You should toss out dish towels once they start fraying. They don’t dry well and can leave lint on your dishes.
Old towels might also hold onto bad smells, even after washing. Using fresh, absorbent towels helps keep your kitchen cleaner. Plus, they look better and feel nicer to use.
Tattered pot holders
If your pot holders are worn out or have holes, it’s time to toss them. They won’t protect your hands well anymore.
Using damaged pot holders can cause burns or accidents. Getting new ones is easy and safer. Plus, fresh pot holders look nicer in your kitchen.
Leftover takeout containers without lids
If you have takeout containers without lids, it’s time to let them go. They’re hard to keep clean and don’t stack well, taking up space in your kitchen.
Without lids, these containers lose their purpose and often end up as clutter. Tossing them frees up room and helps keep your kitchen organized.
Plastic utensils used repeatedly
You might think using plastic utensils over and over is fine, but it’s not the safest choice. Heat can cause tiny pieces of plastic to break down and mix into your food.
This can happen more with black plastic utensils like spatulas or tongs. It’s better to switch to metal or silicone tools that last longer and don’t risk your health.