12 Items the Pros Say You Should Toss Immediately

Despite our best efforts to keep everything out of sight, many of us deal with mess around the home — from disorganized kitchen cabinets and overcrowded nightstand drawers to the much-dreaded junk drawer. However, certain possessions aren’t truly valuable and ought to be discarded, repurposed, or gifted right away. In what follows, seasoned organizers offer insights into decluttering effectively, beginning with those undesirable and neglected belongings.

Although items such as outdated spices, discolored textiles, and unwanted mail ought to be discarded, you probably still have clutter—like clothes and books—that others might find useful. As stated by Amelia Meena, the founder and professional organizer behind this idea: “Should an item no longer serve your needs yet clearly hold worth or appeal for another person, it’s perfectly fine to part with it.” Appleshine . Make certain to contact your nearby donation center to confirm that they can accept the donation. If not, reach out to your waste management authority for guidance. discover ways to recycle the object .

Regardless of whether you discard it, recycle, or donate, these are the key items that professional organizers strongly recommend you clear out as soon as possible.

Expired spices and food

Should your fridge be brimming over with sauces and dressings, or your shelves packed tight with spice containers, it’s crucial to regularly assess what lies within your pantry. Get rid of anything past its prime—be it old seasonings, sauces, or herbs. This not only creates more room but also safeguards against potential illness from ingesting outdated provisions.

Books you've already read

Instead of allowing books to gather dust in your closet or stack up on your nightstand, consider donating them after you finish reading. As Julie Stobbe mentions, “books in good condition can be contributed to book sales, libraries, and thrift shops.” Mind Over Clutter , emphasizing that books might become moldy, gather dust, and acquire an unpleasant smell when kept in storage for extended periods.

Shopping and tote bags

Cease purchasing reusable shopping bags each time you go to the grocery store. Instead, keep a couple of your preferred tote bags—perhaps two or three for each individual—and donate the extras.

Unworn and unloved clothing

Your closet should contain garments you frequently wear and cherish. Remove items that don’t fit well or no longer appeal to you. Dispose of apparel with rips or tears, but donate any items "In top shape, 'Donating clothes promptly ensures they remain fashionable and thrives at resale shops,' explains Stobbe. 'Storing clothing for extended periods may lead to damage, after which these garments often wind up in landfills,'" he adds.

Expired or unwanted toiletries

Check beneath the bathroom sink, suggests Rachel Rosenthal, a professional organizer. Rachel and Company "This region tends to accumulate unneeded objects, turning it into an ideal location for discovering outdated or irrelevant items." Remove expired makeup, skin care items, or medicines along with any large packages that are occupying space.

Used sheets, napkins, and cushions

If your linen closet is bursting with bedsheets and towels, pause for a bit to discard any sheets or towels that have stains or tears. Gently used linens that aren’t suitable for your present bed sizes or additional pillows can be gifted to many nearby charitable organizations, whereas older towels, pillows, and bedding items can typically be passed along to various animal shelters.

Partial game sets and toys

Living with kids often leads to a swift buildup of toys and games throughout various parts of the house, such as the living room, playroom, or bedrooms. Consider donating those old toys that haven’t been touched in ages—like that baby doll gathering dust. For books, puzzles, or games missing components or showing wear and tear, either dispose of them or attempt to get creative by repurposing what’s left; perhaps one-of-a-kind artwork can be salvaged from leftover materials? Always keep track of items like broken crayons, dried-out markers, or partial toy collections.

Miscellaneous wires and cords

It's incredibly frustrating when you're searching through an assortment of knotted cables in hopes of finding a charger. Any wire without identification should be discarded according to Rosenthal. He advises, “There’s no reason to hold onto cords from gadgets you’ve stopped using.”

Old shoes

Whether they're tattered sneakers or ill-fitting high heels, get rid of any footwear you rarely slip into—donating them if they’re still in decent shape. As Rosenthal suggests, “Let go of shoes that pinch or hurt, such as those neglected dressy heels.”

Takeout containers

It’s not necessary to keep flimsy plastic containers, particularly those that show signs of wear like stains, cracks, or lost lids. Take some time to check your kitchen storage areas and dispose of any worn-out plastic containers. You might as well get rid of broken dishware and glass items along with any faulty cooking tools during this cleanup process.

Extra vases

Many of us have been gifted a lovely bunch of flowers paired with a glass vase. Although it may seem wasteful to discard the vase, they tend to clutter up cabinets rather fast—how many vases does anyone really require? Hold onto one or two that best display your preferred blossoms. The remaining ones could be donated to your nearby thrift shop, or alternatively, you might consider listing them for sale on websites such as Facebook Market Place .

Unwanted advertisements and delivery restaurant flyers

When sorting through your mail, make it a routine to immediately place junk mail and delivery menus into the recycling bin. If you have an accumulating pile in your junk drawer, this would be a good moment to clear it out. Don’t forget to shred any correspondence containing sensitive personal data before disposing of it.