23 Items You’re Wasting Space On—Toss Them Now!
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Minimalism is gaining traction across the United States, and for good reason. Studies show that decluttering your living spaces can have profound effects on both mental and physical well-being. According to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), 54% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter in their homes.
Decluttering isn’t just about clearing physical space—it’s also about reducing stress and fostering a sense of control. Read on for 23 items you’re likely holding onto that are just taking up room—and why it’s time to part ways with them finally.
Unworn Clothes
Approximately 82% of clothing in an average wardrobe goes unworn annually, according to Movinga. Keeping outfits that no longer fit, are out of style, or simply aren’t your taste anymore takes up valuable closet space and makes it harder to find the clothes you do love.
Instead of letting them languish, donate, or repurpose these items. You’ll not only clear up room but also give someone else the opportunity to enjoy them.
Damaged Kitchen Tools
That spatula with a melted handle or the chipped cutting board you’ve been meaning to replace? Get rid of them.
Worn tools not only waste space but can be unsafe to use, increasing the risk of injury or contamination—making them prime candidates for disposal. Invest in quality replacements that will enhance your cooking experience.
Expired Makeup and Skincare Products
According to the FDA, cosmetics have expiration dates for a reason. Beyond diminishing effectiveness, expired makeup and skincare can harbor bacteria that can irritate your skin or cause breakouts.
Regularly check your beauty products and toss anything beyond its recommended shelf life to maintain healthy skin and avoid potential infections.
Old Towels and Linens
Towels fraying at the edges or sheets you haven’t used in years? You’re not alone. Surveys by apartment-dwelling site Rent.com found that 30% of people admitted to hoarding old linens just in case.
Instead of letting them sit unused, consider donating lightly used items to shelters or repurposing them as cleaning rags. This not only declutters your linen closet but also extends the life of the fabric.
Books You Won’t Read Again
While books can hold sentimental value, they can also occupy a lot of space. According to Pew Research, 24% of Americans don’t read books after purchasing them. If that shelf is starting to overflow, it might be time to reevaluate.
Donate or swap books you’re unlikely to revisit, allowing others to enjoy them while making room for new reads you’ll be excited to dive into.
Unused Gift Wrap and Bags
Over time, partially used rolls of wrapping paper and gift bags can pile up. These items often take up more space than we realize, cluttering closets and drawers.
Pare it down to what you’ll realistically use for upcoming events, and recycle anything torn or damaged to clear your storage space. This way, you’ll always have a neat stash ready for gift-giving occasions.
Unmatched Socks and Gloves
It’s time to admit it—those single socks and gloves aren’t magically finding their partners. Declutter your dresser by donating or recycling mismatched items through textiles recycling programs.
They may not find their partners, but they can still find new life as recycled materials or donations.
Outdated Tech Accessories
Cables you can’t match to devices? Old phone cases? An estimated 269,000 tons of tech accessories were tossed away globally in 2021, based on UNU’s Global E-waste Monitor.
These items often end up taking valuable storage space and contribute to electronic waste. Declutter cables and cases associated with obsolete gadgets to reduce junk and make it easier to find accessories you use regularly.
Extra Coffee Mugs
Decluttering experts recommend keeping only a reasonable number of mugs per daily needs. While receiving mugs as gifts or souvenirs is common, excess mugs just crowd cabinets, making it difficult to find your favorites.
Streamline your collection and keep only those you truly enjoy using, which can simplify your kitchen routine.
Broken Furniture
That chair or table sitting in your garage because “you’ll fix it someday” may never see its glory days again. If it’s beyond repair or isn’t functional, it’s time to bid it farewell.
Consider recycling or donating parts to reduce waste and clear the way for more functional pieces in your home.
Unused Toys
Do you have a basket of toys your kids outgrew long ago? Surveys from Goodwill suggest millions of toys could be donated each year instead of discarded.
Rather than letting them gather dust, pass it on to friends, donate them to charities, or responsibly recycle them. This can free up space and bring joy to other children.
Old Receipts and Bills
Still storing paper receipts from ten years ago? With the advent of digital storage options, like cloud storage apps, it’s unnecessary to save most paper documents.
Shred and recycle old ones you no longer need for tax or warranty purposes, making your filing system more efficient and less cluttered.
Unused Sports Equipment
If your sports gear hasn’t been utilized in over a year, it’s likely just taking up valuable space in your garage or storage area. Consider the potential joy and utility it could bring to others.
Sports equipment in decent condition can often be donated to local community centers, youth programs, or schools, where they can inspire and support aspiring athletes.
Outdated Decorations
Seasonal decorations that have seen better days—such as worn-out wreaths or tangles of non-working string lights—can clutter up your storage. Carefully assess each item and discard any that are damaged beyond repair.
Organize and properly store the remaining decorations to ensure they are easy to access and in good condition the next time you decorate.
Broken Jewelry
That necklace you’ve been meaning to fix for years may not be worth the time and effort. Consider selling valuable broken pieces for scrap to a jeweler or recycling costume jewelry.
You might even discover a new creative project by repurposing old pieces into something new.
Outdated Medications
Keeping expired medication is both unsafe and unnecessary. Follow CDC guidelines by disposing of old drugs responsibly through pharmacy take-back programs or designated drop-off locations.
This ensures they don’t pose a risk to family members or the environment.
Old Calendars and Planners
Last year’s calendar is likely just collecting dust on a shelf. Once you’ve archived any necessary dates or notes, shred and recycle old planners and calendars.
This saves space and ensures you have room for new plans and goals.
Unused Craft Supplies
Do you have incomplete DIY kits or a pile of scrapbook materials you never started? These project materials, left unused, often occupy precious space in your home.
Consider donating these craft supplies to local schools, art programs, or community centers where they can be put to good use and spark creativity in others.
Sentimental Clutter
Sentimentality can make decluttering a challenge. However, consider digitizing memories like old photos, children’s artwork, or cards, which allows you to preserve them without physical clutter.
Keep only the items with the greatest emotional importance, and create a dedicated space for these cherished memories so they continue to bring joy.
Duplicate Kitchen Utensils
Take a look at your kitchen drawers—do you really need three can openers or four spatulas? Kitchen utensils often become clutter magnets, making it hard to find what you need.
Pare down these duplicates, keeping only the ones you use frequently, and donate any extras in good condition to charity or friends who might need them.
Old Magazines and Newspapers
If you’re holding onto stacks of magazines or newspapers “just in case,” it’s time to reconsider. An annual study found that the total number of magazine readers in the US remained above 220 million in every year between 2016 and 2020, as reported by Statista.
These once-loved publications often end up gathering dust and adding unnecessary clutter to your space, yet are rarely revisited. Instead of letting them take over, recycle or digitally archive anything you think you’ll need later. This not only frees up physical space but also helps the environment.
Expired Spices and Pantry Items
Have spices from a cooking phase you outgrew or cans of food pushed to the back of the pantry? A study conducted by McCormick reveals that spices lose their flavor as they age, usually within 1-3 years, making your meals less flavorful.
Those forgotten pantry items might also be nearing or past their expiration dates, which can affect food safety and quality. Discard expired items for your safety, and consider donating unopened food that’s still within its use-by date to help those in need.
Broken Electronics
Do you have a graveyard of obsolete gadgets tucked away in drawers? From chargers that no longer work to outdated phones, these broken electronics are worth recycling.
Reports from the UNEP suggest that only 20% of unused electronics are properly recycled, leading to environmental harm. Check for local e-waste recycling programs where you can responsibly dispose of these items and even contribute to the recovery of valuable materials.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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