13 Things You Shouldn’t Keep in Your House

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Your home should be a place where you can relax, recharge, and feel safe. But what if some of the things that you keep around are bad for you? There are many items that are easy to overlook that could be hazardous to your health, happiness, or safety. These things are often easily overlooked until they become a problem.

Your house is a living, breathing space. Each piece of anything inside it should have a purpose. Let’s help you achieve that by looking at some of the everyday culprits you might want to say goodbye to and why they might not be doing the environment or you any favours.

Cheap Candles

All candles are not made the same. Paraffin wax is used to make many cheap candles, which release chemicals such as benzene when burned. Choose soy or beeswax with essential fragrances as soy is a more environmentally friendly candle and beeswax is a bit less damaging to humans. It’s better for your lungs, and your vibe.

Sentimental Clutter

Yes, this one’s tricky. You may have Grandma’s heirloom vase or your kid’s kindergarten artwork pulling at your heart strings, but it doesn’t all have to stay forever. Pick out a few things to display and photograph the rest before giving them away or trashing them. Things don’t hold memories, you do.

Toxic Houseplants

Greenery is not always good. Philodendrons and peace lilies are just a couple of some of the more popular houseplants that can be toxic to pets and even humans if ingested. Cats and dogs can suffer severe reactions from these plants. If you are a pet owner, do some research about plants before bringing them home.

Unused Exercise Equipment

That treadmill doubling as a clothes rack isn’t exactly helping you or your wardrobe out. Unused exercise equipment is a constant reminder of unfulfilled goals: demoralizing right? If it’s been years, donate it to someone who will use it and take back your floor space.

Old Cleaning Supplies

Never heard that cleaning products expire? The chemicals inside them can break down, causing them to lose their effectiveness or even become harmful. That ancient bottle of bleach or multi surface cleaner in the back of your cupboard is a prime example. Throw them away and replace with new, safer ones.

Clothes You Never Wear

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There’s that pair of jeans you probably have that you’re hoping you’ll get into again someday. However, maintaining clothes that don’t fit, don’t flatter, and don’t make you feel good is a surefire way to a cluttered closet and a cluttered mind. Marie Kondo says if it doesn’t ‘spark joy’ it is time to donate it. Trust us, you won’t miss it.

Old Makeup and Old Skincare Products

Items You’re Wasting Space On—Toss Them Now! — Photo Credit: Pixabay

There’s a reason why makeup and skincare products have an expiration date. But using them beyond their prime can cause skin irritation or infections. According to an NIH study, expired cosmetics frequently contain dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli. That old mascara tube? Before it causes more trouble than it’s worth, toss it.

Stacks of Old Magazines

Old Magazines and Newspapers — Image Credit: Pexels

If you aren’t running a waiting room, you don’t need old magazines. They gather dust, attract pests, and are rarely read again. Reduce paper waste by recycle them or better yet switch to digital subscriptions. The people you love will thank you. Your coffee table will thank you.

Damaged Furniture

If that wobbly chair or scratched up coffee table doesn’t bother you, think again, broken furniture can be unsafe and an eyesore. If it’s salvageable, repair it, and if it’s not, let it go. The first step to a well organized home is having functional pieces that you actually use.

Expired Medications

It might seem harmless to hang onto old medicine ‘just in case,’ but it’s not. Drugs that are expired can lose their potency or can be harmful to use. Don’t be tempted to take that painkiller you’ve been hanging onto for five years. Rather, bring it to a pharmacy with a medication disposal program.

Broken Electronics

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Do you have an old phone or laptop sitting in a drawer gathering dust? It’s time to let it go. Properly storing and disposing of broken electronics is important because they’re not just space hogs, the lead or mercury they can leak, if improperly stored or discarded, is harmful. Fortunately, many electronics stores offer recycling programs so you shouldn’t let them linger.

Old Receipts and Paperwork

Clutter Culprits Hiding in Your Living Room — Photo credit: Greg Patton/Shutterstock

Paper clutter is sneaky. Some documents should be kept like tax records and warranties, but most receipts and papers don’t have to stay around. Shred what you don’t need and digitize the rest. Freeing space and feeling more organized is as simple as that.

Plastic Containers With BPA

Remember those scratched up plastic food containers you’ve had for ever? Harmful chemicals like BPA might be leaching into your food. There are links between BPA and hormonal disruptions and other health issues. Instead go for glass or BPA free containers – it’s a small swap that makes a big difference to your health.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.