It’s easy to turn closets, basements, attics, garages, and spare rooms into places to put things when we don’t know what else to do with them. Before long, these spaces are packed with old electronics, cardboard boxes, leftover paint, and food we forgot we had.
Some of these belongings take up space without serving any purpose, while others can attract pests, develop mold, or create safety risks if stored improperly. If you’re clearing out your home, these are eight things worth removing or finding a better place to keep.
Hazardous or Flammable Products
Don’t store gasoline, propane cylinders, paint thinner, pesticides, and solvents in random closets, basements, or living areas just because there’s an empty spot. They can leak, release harmful fumes, or catch fire under the wrong conditions, so follow the product’s storage instructions and arrange proper disposal for anything you no longer need.
Things You’re Only Keeping Because You Don’t Know How to Dispose of Them
Old paint, batteries, broken appliances, electronics, and leftover chemicals often sit around because they can’t go in the regular trash. Rather than letting them pile up for years, look for local recycling centers, hazardous-waste collection sites, donation programs, or special disposal services.
Expired and Forgotten Food
An old bag of flour or an open box of cereal tucked behind other pantry items can attract ants, pantry moths, cockroaches, and rodents. Check your food supplies regularly, throw away anything that’s no longer safe to eat, and donate unopened items you won’t use while they’re still suitable for donation.
Related: 8 Foods Food Banks Usually Can’t Accept
Important Documents in Basements or Attics
Don’t leave birth certificates, passports, legal papers, and family photographs in cardboard boxes exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures. Keep these items in a dry, secure spot, and make digital copies of documents that would be difficult to replace.
Wet or Damp Clothing and Linens
Putting damp towels, blankets, jackets, rugs, or clothing into a closet or storage bin can lead to unpleasant odors and mildew. Let everything dry completely before putting it away, and check stored fabrics for signs of moisture before leaving them for long periods.
Mountains of Plastic Grocery Bags
Saving a few grocery bags for small trash cans, pet cleanup, or other household tasks makes sense, but keeping hundreds of them is usually unnecessary. Set aside one container for the bags you actually use and recycle the rest if your local recycling program accepts them.
Broken Electronics
Old phones, laptops, chargers, headphones, and small appliances often sit in storage because we keep telling ourselves we’ll repair them someday. If you haven’t used or fixed something in years, erase personal information from devices when possible and take them to an appropriate electronics recycling program.
Piles of Cardboard Boxes, Newspapers, and Magazines
Stacks of paper and cardboard can collect dust, absorb moisture, and give insects or rodents places to hide and nest. Recycle what you no longer need, and use sturdy storage containers for belongings you plan to keep for the long term.
