The average American home contains 300,000 items1— a staggering amount of stuff!
While it’s easy to focus on the obvious culprits like overflowing closets and cluttered countertops, there are many overlooked items that can make your home feel cramped.
By targeting these under-the-radar items, you can instantly create a more spacious and serene living environment. Here are the top 12 things to declutter in your house now.
1. Expired Medications & Toiletries
Take a deep dive into your medicine cabinet and bathroom drawers. Toss out any expired medications, sunscreens, makeup, and toiletries. Not only do these items take up valuable space, but they can also be a health hazard.
Properly dispose of medications (ref) at a pharmacy or through a local take-back program.
2. Unused Kitchen Gadgets
That novelty egg slicer seemed like a great idea at the time, but when was the last time you actually used it?
Go through your kitchen drawers and cabinets with a critical eye. Donate or sell any gadgets, small appliances, and specialized tools that you haven’t used in the past year.
3. Outdated Electronics
Technology moves fast, and it’s easy to accumulate a graveyard of outdated electronics. Round up old phones, chargers, cords, and broken devices. Recycle what you can and properly dispose of the rest.
If you have functional items you no longer need, consider donating them to a local charity or selling them online.
4. Duplicate Cleaning Supplies
Under the kitchen sink lies a jumble of half-used cleaning products. Consolidate your supplies and stick to a few versatile, all-purpose cleaners.
Dispose of any products you haven’t used in the past six months, and remember to follow proper hazardous waste disposal guidelines for your area.
5. Spare Buttons & Fabric Scraps
That little plastic bag of spare buttons that comes with new clothing? Chances are, you have a drawer full of them. Unless you’re an avid sewer, it’s time to let them go. The same goes for small fabric scraps and lonely socks without a mate.
6. Old Towels & Linens
Frayed towels, mismatched sheets, and stained tablecloths have a way of multiplying in the linen closet. Take an inventory of your textiles and keep only what you actually use.
Old towels can be repurposed as cleaning rags, while worn-out linens can be donated to animal shelters.
7. Expired Pantry Items
Take a closer look at the depths of your pantry. Toss out any expired spices, stale crackers, and ancient cans of soup. Donate non-perishable items you know you won’t use to a local food bank.
A streamlined pantry not only saves space but also makes meal planning and grocery shopping more efficient.
8. Unused Craft Supplies
That scrapbooking phase was fun while it lasted, but now your craft supplies are gathering dust. Sort through your stash and keep only the items you genuinely enjoy using.
Donate excess supplies to a school, library, or community center. By letting go of unused supplies, you create space for the hobbies you truly love.
9. Old Paint & Hardware
The garage and basement are notorious catch-alls for old paint cans, rusty nails, and mystery hardware. Take a day to sort through these items and properly dispose of anything you no longer need.
Many communities offer hazardous waste disposal events for items like paint and chemicals. Keep only the hardware and tools you actually use, and organize them in a way that makes sense for your needs.
10. Outgrown Kids’ Items
Kids outgrow clothes, toys, and gear at a rapid pace. Stay on top of the clutter by regularly sorting through these items. Donate or sell outgrown items in good condition, and toss anything that’s broken or unusable.
11. Unwanted Gifts
It’s hard to let go of gifts, even if they don’t suit your taste or lifestyle. Give yourself permission to declutter these items guilt-free. Donate them to a charity or offer them to friends who might appreciate them more.
Remember, the sentiment behind the gift is what matters, not the physical object itself.
12. Sentimental Clutter
Finally, take a hard look at your sentimental items.
While it’s important to keep meaningful mementos, not every childhood drawing or ticket stub needs to be saved. Choose a few representative items to keep and display, and let go of the rest.
Digitize photos and documents to save space, and consider creating a memory box for each family member to curate their most treasured items.
Source:
1. Los Angeles Times
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.