14 Tools People Regret Disposing of After Decluttering

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For the soul, decluttering can be therapy. Imagine living the Marie Kondo life: joyfully tossing items from closets and drawers when they no longer ‘spark joy.’ But then reality hits: That one thing you chucked out last month, you need that. It can happen during a DIY project, or when an appliance goes on the fritz and you’re left regretting like, ‘Why on earth did I throw that out?’”

Even though simplifying our lives feels freeing, it can also be hastily done. While some of the tools might seem old fashioned and unnecessary at first glance, others are more useful than they seem. In this article, we’ll look at some items commonly thrown out by people who wish they’d held onto them a bit longer.

Interchangeable Head Screwdrivers

Many tend to ditch these versatile screwdrivers when they upgrade to fancier toolkits. However, they cannot be beat for their compact design and adaptability. If you are putting together furniture or tightening a loose hinge, owning one screwdriver with several heads saves time and space. On top of that, it’s a lot less painful than digging through a loose pile of mismatched tools.

Multi-Tool

Some might think Swiss Army knives and other multi-tools are too old fashioned, but they’re worth their weight in gold in unexpected situations. These gadgets are the jack-of-all-trades that people really regret giving up when working on a minor repairs or during outdoor adventures.

Rubber Mallet

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You may not use a rubber mallet on a daily basis, but when you do need one, nothing else will suffice. It’s great for putting furniture together or pushing something into place without hurting it. Once you need a light tap that won’t leave a dent, you’d regret getting rid of yours.

Toolbox Organizer

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Sadly, people tend to toss the organizer when they declutter tools. It’s overkill if you’re collection is small, but if you keep screws, nails and small parts organized, the payoff comes in the end. Being faced with a jumbled mess is enough to make you wish you hadn’t thrown it out.

Flashlight

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The standalone is unnecessary in an era of smartphone flashlights. However, for anyone who has experienced a power outage or wanted a bright, hands free light, you know this to be untrue. A report from the National Safety Council named flashlights among the most important items in emergency kits. But they are usually thrown out without a second thought.

Allen Wrenches

These are essential little lifesavers for putting together or taking apart furniture, particularly from some big box shopping stores (ahem, IKEA). But once the assembly is done, they’re usually discarded. Regret kicks in faster than you can say ‘flat-pack’ months or years later when something wobbles or needs relocating.

Staple Gun

People often think a staple gun is a niche item until it’s gone and you realize how often you had used it. A staple gun earns its keep from reupholstering furniture to quick fixes for fabric projects. They are many who are sorry they threw theirs away the minute they start a DIY project.

Manual Hand Drill

Don’t roll your eyes at this ‘archaic’ tool just yet. For small jobs that don’t need the power of an electric drill, the manual hand drills are perfect. They’re quiet, need no charging, and are precise. While they’re not as popular as they used to be, they’re still great for delicate woodworking or crafting.

Sewing Kit

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A sewing kit is great even if you’re the least crafty of all people because you could find yourself in a moment where it might save the day. A basic kit will fix whether it’s a loose button, torn seam, or snagged hem. If you’re frantically googling ‘emergency tailor near me,’ you probably wish you hadn’t ditched your former kit.

Hand-Crank Can Opener

The hand cranked can opener is a hero in disguise. Sure, it’s older technology than its electric cousin, but what do you do when camping or when the power goes out? And now, all of a sudden, this simple tool is worth its weight in gold. In the name of sleek, battery powered gadgets, many folks have tossed theirs only to regret it when the batteries inevitably die mid meal prep.

Needle-Nose Pliers

Needle nose pliers might look like something only an electrician needs, but they are a godsend for delicate fixes. If pliers aren’t among your household’s unsung heroes, they should be, as they help with jewelry repair, crafts, or even something stuck in a tight space. Many have wished for a do over after tossing them during decluttering sessions.

Sandpaper

It’s small, it’s cheap, and it feels replaceable until you need it. Shaping a rough edge or completing a home improvement project or some crafting requires sandpaper. Throw it because it takes up space, but it’s one of those things you will end up buying again when it’s needed.

Utility Knife

Another commonly overlooked tool is your sharp utility knife. A standard kitchen knife can do the same job, or so many people think until they’re faced with thick cardboard, stubborn packaging, or a quick home fix. For these tasks, you can’t live without a quality utility knife, and the second you realize it’s gone, you’ll know it.

Measuring Tape

Yeah, many people have a ruler or some sort of digital app, but there’s nothing like a good old retractable measuring tape. This tool is useful more often than we think; from hanging pictures to rearranging furniture. Many homeowners regret throwing out their measuring tape after decluttering. Don’t be one of them.

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