We all have things in our homes that we hold onto without even thinking about it—items we assume we’ll use someday, but never actually do. Whether it’s old tech, extra kitchenware, or sentimental clutter, these things don’t add value to our lives—they just take up space and make organizing harder.
If you’re tired of overflowing drawers, cluttered cabinets, and packed closets, it’s time to let go of the things that no longer serve you. Here are 13 everyday items you’re holding onto that are just wasting space!
1. Expired Medications and Supplements
Your medicine cabinet is probably full of half-used pill bottles, expired cold medicine, and vitamins you forgot you bought. Expired medications not only lose their effectiveness but can also be dangerous to take.
Go through your medicine cabinet and check expiration dates. Dispose of expired medications properly—don’t flush them down the toilet. Many pharmacies and police stations have medication take-back programs where you can safely drop off old pills. Keep only what you actively use and store everything in a cool, dry place to extend shelf life.
2. Old Magazines and Newspapers
Stacks of old magazines and newspapers might feel like they have sentimental or entertainment value, but let’s be honest—you’re probably never going to read them again. They just collect dust, take up shelf space, and create unnecessary clutter.
If there’s an article you really want to keep, scan or snap a photo of it before recycling the rest. Better yet, switch to digital subscriptions to cut down on paper waste and free up space in your home.
3. Extra Coffee Mugs
If your kitchen cabinets are overflowing with mugs from old jobs, vacations, and random gifts, it’s time to pare down. You probably reach for the same few mugs every day, so why hold onto dozens of extras?
Keep only your favorites and donate the rest. A streamlined kitchen makes it easier to grab what you need without dealing with a cluttered mess of mismatched cups.
4. Takeout Condiments and Utensils
If you have a drawer stuffed with extra ketchup packets, plastic utensils, and soy sauce from takeout orders, you’re not alone. But how often do you actually use them?
Take a minute to clear out all the extras. If you do use them occasionally, keep a small, organized container instead of letting them take over your junk drawer. Otherwise, toss them or donate unused utensils to a local shelter or food pantry.
5. Broken or Extra Phone Chargers
Chances are, you have multiple old phone chargers, tangled cords, and outdated tech accessories taking up space in a drawer. If you’ve upgraded devices but still have chargers for electronics you no longer own, they’re just wasting space.
Sort through your cords and keep only what you need. Recycle or donate extras at an electronics disposal center to keep them out of landfills.
6. Plastic Containers Without Lids
If your kitchen cabinets are full of mismatched food containers, it’s time for a reality check—if a container doesn’t have a lid, it’s useless. And if you’ve got extra lids with no matching container, those are just as pointless.
Match up what you have, toss the extras, and consider switching to glass storage containers that last longer and don’t warp over time. A decluttered container cabinet makes storing leftovers so much easier.
7. Socks with Holes or Missing Matches
If you have a pile of single socks hoping to find their match, it’s time to let them go. Socks that have holes, stretched-out elastic, or no partner are just cluttering your drawers.
Repurpose them as dusting cloths or DIY heating pads (fill them with rice and microwave for warmth). Otherwise, toss them and invest in a fresh set of matching socks to keep your drawers organized.
8. Old Greeting Cards and Invitations
Holding onto every birthday card, wedding invite, and thank-you note might feel sentimental, but they quickly pile up and take over drawers, boxes, and shelves.
Instead of keeping every card, save just a few meaningful ones and recycle the rest. If you want to preserve a memory, snap a photo of the card before tossing it.
9. Unused Kitchen Gadgets
If your kitchen drawers are packed with gimmicky gadgets, duplicate utensils, or appliances you never use, they’re just taking up space. That avocado slicer, garlic press, or electric can opener might have seemed useful at the time, but if you’re not using them regularly, they’re cluttering up your kitchen.
Stick to multi-purpose tools and get rid of one-trick gadgets. If it’s been sitting in a drawer unused for over a year, it’s time to donate or sell it.
10. Extra Water Bottles
If your cabinets are stuffed with random free water bottles from events, giveaways, or old gym memberships, they’re probably taking up way too much space.
Keep a few high-quality, reusable bottles and get rid of the cheap plastic ones that you never reach for. A clutter-free cabinet makes it easier to grab the things you actually use.
11. Expired Spices and Condiments
Spices and condiments don’t last forever. If your spice rack is full of bottles you haven’t touched in years, they’ve likely lost their flavor and are just taking up space.
Check expiration dates and smell-test older spices—if they’ve lost their aroma, it’s time to replace them. Having a well-organized, fresh selection makes cooking easier and more enjoyable.
12. Extra Tote Bags and Reusable Grocery Bags
Reusable bags are great for the environment, but if you have way more than you actually use, they become just another source of clutter.
Keep a reasonable number of tote bags and donate the rest to local food pantries or shelters, where they can actually be put to good use. Having just a few quality bags makes it easier to find and use them when you need them.
13. Old, Unused Candles
Half-melted candles that barely smell anymore or have burned unevenly are just taking up space on your shelves. If you haven’t burned a candle in months (or years), chances are, you never will.
Keep only the ones you love and actually use. If a candle is too small to burn, you can melt down the wax and repurpose it. Otherwise, toss it and clear some space for the things you truly enjoy.
*This article was created with the help of AI.