We all have things we hold onto “just in case”, but more often than not, those items end up cluttering our homes rather than being useful. Whether it’s old gadgets, outdated paperwork, or broken household items, keeping things you don’t use, need, or love only takes up valuable space. Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about creating a home that feels open, organized, and stress-free.
If you’re tired of dealing with overstuffed closets and cluttered drawers, it’s time to let go of these 13 things that are just taking up space in your home!
1. Expired Beauty Products
Makeup, skincare, and hair products don’t last forever. Holding onto old foundation, dried-out mascara, or half-used shampoo bottles creates unnecessary clutter in your bathroom. Plus, expired beauty products lose effectiveness and can even cause skin irritation or breakouts.
Check the expiration dates on your lotions, serums, and cosmetics. If they’re past their prime—or if you haven’t used them in months—toss them. For makeup, a general rule is to replace mascara every 3 months, foundation every year, and lipsticks every 1-2 years.
2. Single Socks Without a Match
We’ve all got that drawer full of lonely socks waiting for their missing partners to show up. The reality? If you’ve washed laundry multiple times and still haven’t found the match, it’s time to let go.
Instead of keeping a pile of mismatched socks, repurpose them as dusting cloths, DIY heating pads (filled with rice), or pet toys—or better yet, toss them out and free up drawer space!
3. Old Electronics and Cords
That drawer full of random chargers, outdated cell phones, and tangled cords isn’t doing you any favors. If you’re holding onto old remotes, dead batteries, or broken headphones, they’re just collecting dust.
Go through your stash and toss anything you no longer use. Donate working devices and recycle old electronics at a proper e-waste disposal center. A clutter-free tech drawer makes it easier to find what you actually need.
4. Broken or Unused Kitchen Gadgets
How many unused kitchen gadgets do you have taking up space? If you own a bread maker, panini press, or fondue set that you haven’t touched in years, it’s probably time to let it go.
If it’s broken and you haven’t fixed it in months, it’s time to toss or donate it. Keeping things “just in case” doesn’t help if they’re never used. Free up your cabinets for the things you actually cook with.
5. Excess Coffee Mugs
Sure, coffee mugs make great souvenirs and gifts, but do you really need 20 of them? If your kitchen cabinets are overflowing with mismatched or unused mugs, pick your favorites and donate the rest.
Keeping a few versatile, well-loved mugs makes your morning coffee routine more enjoyable and gives you more space in your cabinets.
6. Old Towels and Bed Linens
If your linen closet is stuffed with old, scratchy towels or worn-out sheets, it’s time to declutter. Towels lose absorbency over time, and sheets get thin, faded, or stretched out after years of washing.
Keep two to three sets of sheets per bed and donate worn towels to an animal shelter. A streamlined linen closet makes laundry easier and ensures you’re only using soft, fresh bedding.
7. Takeout Menus, Expired Coupons, and Junk Mail
If you have a drawer full of takeout menus, expired coupons, and unread flyers, it’s just wasting space. These days, most restaurant menus are available online, and chances are you aren’t using those old coupons anyway.
Toss out anything that’s expired, duplicated, or irrelevant. If you like having menus, keep one small folder or magnetized clip on the fridge for ones you actually use.
8. Unread or Unloved Books
Books are wonderful, but if you have shelves full of books you’ve never read—or ones you didn’t enjoy—they’re just taking up space. Keeping books out of guilt doesn’t serve you, and someone else might actually love reading them.
Donate or sell books you won’t reread, and keep only the ones that truly bring you joy. If you want to remember a book you read, take notes or snap a picture instead of storing the physical copy forever.
9. Plastic Containers Without Lids
If your kitchen cabinets are full of mismatched plastic lids and container bottoms, it’s time for a cleanup. Missing lids make containers useless, and stacks of odd-shaped plastic bins only create cluttered cabinets.
Match up containers with their lids, and toss or recycle anything that doesn’t have a match. Consider switching to glass storage containers for a more durable, clutter-free kitchen solution.
10. Clothes That Don’t Fit or Flatter
If you’re keeping clothes that don’t fit, don’t match your style, or haven’t been worn in over a year, they’re just taking up valuable closet space. It’s easy to hold onto things “just in case”, but if you wouldn’t buy it today, you probably won’t wear it again.
Donate clothes that don’t make you feel good, and only keep the pieces that fit and flatter you now. A decluttered closet makes getting dressed easier and more enjoyable.
11. Old Greeting Cards and Invitations
Holding onto every holiday card, birthday invitation, and thank-you note from the past decade? While sentimental, these quickly pile up and take over drawers and shelves.
Keep a few truly meaningful cards, but recycle the rest. If you want to remember them, snap a photo or scan them before tossing. This keeps the memory without the clutter.
12. Half-Used Candles and Expired Air Fresheners
Candles are lovely, but keeping half-burned candles you never light only adds clutter to shelves and drawers. If you have air fresheners that barely smell anymore, they’re not serving their purpose.
Keep only the candles you actually burn, and get rid of the ones that are too small to use or smell stale. A fresh-smelling home is great—but only if you’re actually using the products you own.
13. Excess Decorative Items
A home filled with too many decorations can feel cluttered rather than cozy. If every surface is covered with figurines, vases, or knickknacks, they lose their impact and make your home feel overwhelming instead of stylish.
Keep only the decor pieces that bring joy or have sentimental value. Rotate seasonal decorations instead of displaying everything all at once. A more minimal approach lets your favorite pieces stand out and makes cleaning easier.
*This article was created with the help of AI.