Clutter sneaks up on all of us. Before you know it, your home is overflowing with things you don’t need, use, or even remember owning…
According to WebMD, one study showed that women who saw their homes as cluttered had high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) throughout the day, while those who described their homes as well-organised had lower levels.
Decluttering isn’t just about making space—it can reduce stress, improve focus, and make your home feel lighter and more inviting.
If you’re ready to reclaim your space, here are 50 things you should throw away now (or donate, recycle, or repurpose where possible!).
In the kitchen
1. Expired pantry items – Spices, condiments, and canned goods past their prime.
2. Chipped or cracked dishware – They’re unsafe to use and take up space.
3. Plastic containers with missing lids – If you can’t find the lid, it’s useless!
4. Old takeout menus – You can up-to-date versions of most menus online.
5. Duplicate utensils you never use – Do you really need five bottle openers?
6. Dull or broken kitchen knives – Sharpen the good ones, toss the bad ones.
7. Unused kitchen gadgets – That spiralizer you bought on a whim? If it’s collecting dust, donate it.
8. Half-empty condiment bottles – Especially those expired salad dressings in the fridge.
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In the bedroom
9. Worn-out socks with holes – Let’s be honest, they won’t magically fix themselves.
10. Clothes you haven’t worn in a year – If it doesn’t fit or bring you joy, let it go.
11. Extra hangers cluttering your wardrobe – Keep only what you need.
12. Single earrings with no match – Unless you plan on making them into a charm.
13. Flat, old pillows – Replace them every one to two years for hygiene and comfort.
14. Broken jewellery – If you haven’t fixed it yet, you probably never will.
15. Unused handbags and wallets – If you always reach for the same one, declutter the rest.
16. Old bras with stretched-out elastic – They’re no longer giving you the support you need.
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In the bathroom
17. Expired makeup and skincare – Most products expire within six to twelve months after opening.
18. Dried-up nail polish – If it’s separated or clumpy, toss it.
19. Empty or nearly empty bottles – Those last few drops of shampoo? Not worth the space.
20. Broken hair ties and stretched-out scrunchies – if you don’t reach for them, toss them.
21. Old toothbrushes – Dentists recommend replacing them every three months.
22. Crusty bar soap remnants – That tiny sliver of soap isn’t doing you any favours.
23. Unused hotel toiletries – If you’ve collected them but never used them, it’s time to toss.
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In the living room
24. DVDs and CDs you never watch or listen to – Everything is digital now!
25. Random cables and chargers you don’t use – If you don’t know what they belong to, you don’t need them.
26. Old magazines and newspapers – Unless they hold sentimental value, they’re just dust collectors.
27. Board games with missing pieces – If it’s unplayable, it’s unnecessary.
28. Throw blankets past their prime – If they’re threadbare, replace them with something comfier.
29. Decor pieces you no longer love – Your home should reflect your current style, not past trends.
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In the kids’ room
30. Broken toys – If they can’t be repaired, let them go.
31. Clothes your kids have outgrown – Donate or pass them along.
32. School papers you don’t need to keep – Scan the sentimental ones and recycle the rest.
33. Dried-out markers and crayons – If they don’t colour properly, they’re clutter.
34. Random fast food toys – These tend to accumulate quickly.
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In the office/desk area
35. Pens that don’t work – Test them and toss the duds.
36. Old notebooks you don’t need – If they’re full or unused for years, recycle them.
37. Expired vouchers – If the deal is dead, so is its usefulness.
38. Outdated receipts and bills – Keep only necessary financial documents.
39. Mystery keys – If you don’t know what they open, they’re just metal clutter.
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In the garage or in storage
40. Old holiday decorations you don’t use – If you haven’t displayed them in years, they’re not special anymore.
41. Dead batteries – Recycle them properly.
42. Rusty tools – If they’re too far gone to be useful, it’s time to replace them.
43. Expired cleaning products – They lose effectiveness over time.
44. Anything stored ‘just in case’ that hasn’t been touched in years – If it hasn’t been useful, it probably never will be.
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Random miscellaneous clutter
45. Old greeting cards (unless sentimental) – Snap a picture of special ones and recycle the rest.
46. Freebies and promotional items you don’t use – If you got it for free and never used it, it’s not worth keeping.
47. Candles that no longer have a scent – They’re just wax at this point.
48. Duplicate items you don’t need – Do you really need three staplers?
49. Empty gift bags you never reuse – Keep only a few for future gifts.
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Digital clutter
50. A good decluttering sesh extends into the digital world – declutter your devices and delete what you don’t need.
Start small, tackle one area at a time, and be intentional about what you keep.
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Feature Image: Getty
