Sometimes we know we need to declutter, but we just don’t know where to start and need a few ideas to help! Here are 57 things you can declutter right now! I promise all of these items are things that no one needs in their home.
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Scary Facts about Clutter
- Did you know that the average American wastes 55 minutes a day looking for things they own, but can’t find?
- Nearly half (48 percent) of Americans consider their homes to be at least somewhat cluttered with items they no longer use
- One in seven Americans have a room in their home they cannot use because it is filled with things they rarely use
These statistics are terrifying, but the great thing is, they are totally preventable and avoidable with a little work. Let’s get started on getting to the things to declutter right now to create more space in your home and ultimately save you time!
Before we dive into the 57 things to declutter right now, let’s cover two strategies you can use if you aren’t sure if you should toss something out…
When You’re Not Sure if You’ll Need Something Later
If you’re nervous about tossing any of these items here is the best way to handle it:
- Use the 90/90 Day Rule – if you haven’t used it in the last 90 days and won’t use it in the next 90 days, it’s gotta go!
- In relation to the first rule, if you are unsure whether or not you will use it in the next 90 days, store the item for 90 days and if you use it within that timeframe, keep it. If you don’t toss it and feel good about it!
- Consider the cost to replace the item. If it’s less than $5-10, toss it! It’s not worth the visual clutter and overwhelm to keep the item when you’re not even sure you need it to begin with.
Ok, now that we have a few strategies to get through this list without being hesitant, let’s jump into the 57 things that literally everyone can live without!
The 57 Things to Declutter Right Now!
1. Expired Medicine
This is a great time to go through your medicine cabinet and toss anything that’s expired. There’s definitely no sense in keeping these things. This includes old sunscreens, items you don’t use in the cabinets, and old razors.
2. Toys That Aren’t Played with
If your kids aren’t regularly playing with a certain toy, donate it! There’s no need to hold on to anything your kids are no longer interested in. Unless you plan on passing the toy down to a younger child or it is a keepsake you can store, it’s time to put it in the donate pile! Make sure the items are in good condition first!
3. Expired Pantry Items
Anything that has old expiration dates can go! There is no reason to keep these things. If you aren’t going to feel comfortable cooking with these items, why keep them? This is an easy and quick win!
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4. Things We Just Don’t Use
We are all guilty of having and storing things we just don’t use. You might have a kitchen full of things that you never take out or cook with, but now is the time to clear them away and give yourself more space!
I often talk about the 90/90 rule. If you haven’t used it in the last 90 days and don’t see yourself using it in the next 90 days, it’s gotta go!
5. Things We’ve Been Sent or Gifted
Don’t feel obligated to keep things that others have given you. If you don’t use it and it doesn’t make you happy, then let go of the guilt and get rid of it. I almost guarantee you the person doesn’t even remember gifting it to you!
6. Broken things
If you have things in your house that are broken and not fixable then it is time to get rid of them. Put these things out with the trash or donate them if they can be fixed.
We always try to negotiate with ourselves when we want to keep something broken. “Oh, I’ll fix it next week”…yah flippin’ right you will.
Just get rid of it! I promise you the less visual clutter there is, the more freed up your mind can be and you won’t feel so overwhelmed.
7. Socks that Don’t Match
Let’s be real, you’re never going to find those damn matches. Just make the tough decision and stop looking for it. You’ll feel so much better to toss them.
8. Old Costumes
Even if you think you’re going to wear these again, you’re always going to want a new costume each year. I’d only keep costumes that were handmade and can be passed down to a younger child.
9. Items Leftover from Pregnancy
You wouldn’t believe how fast these things can accumulate. From extra breast pads for leaking, milk storage bags, to products to help with lactation. You usually have some leftovers and don’t use them all up. Pass what you can along to another new mom or toss them.
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10. Skincare or Makeup Samples
How many times do we get sent skincare or makeup samples we never even use? Keep only the samples you truly want to try because you made the initiative to get that specific sample to try. Only keep samples you seek out because you want to try the product before buying.
Don’t keep samples you were given and in fact, don’t take the samples to begin with!
11. Old Nail Polish
I’m pretty sure we are all guilty of having a box or bag somewhere with a ton of half-used nail polish.
If you regularly go to the salon to get your nails done, only keep nail polish that you’d bring with you to the salon because it’s your favorite and you never want them to run out of it!
Otherwise, only keep nail polish if you regularly do your own nails and limit yourself to 10 at a time!
12. Old Magazines
Donate any old magazines to a local school for projects. Most of us keep a stack somewhere in the living room and just forget about them. Believe it or not, they add to the visual clutter even if they are tucked away near the floor.
13. Books You’ve Never Read
If you haven’t read a book and you’ve had it more than 6 months, chances are, you are never going to read that book. It’s better to just part ways now and replace it later if you need to.
14. Books You’ve Read
On the flip side, also give away any books you’ve read that you don’t plan on reading again!
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15. Cups and Mugs
For some reason, these items accumulate in our cupboards pretty easily. It’s most likely because we don’t see them unless we open the cupboard up.
Toss any that are tucked away in the back and haven’t seen the light of day in more than 90 days.
16. Gift Bags and Tissue Paper
It’s amazing how these things multiply. Keeping them in stock makes sense, but once you have more than a box full, it’s time to get rid of some!
17. Curtains and Blinds
There is really no point in having curtains or blinds if you don’t have any windows that need covering up. Modern looks have gone away from a lot of curtains and blinds for more natural lighting.
18. Old Makeup
It’s actually not good for you to keep old makeup. Typically the lifespan for any makeup is no more than 6-12 months. If you have anything older than this, it’s time to toss it!
19. Unused Appliances
There is no need to have things that you will never use in your kitchen. It’s time to get rid of any appliances that haven’t been used for the last year and give them away if possible!
20. Old Electronics
This includes old phones, iPods, Apple Watches, etc. that you have either replaced or just don’t use anymore.
21. Cords to Electronics You Don’t Have Anymore
If you can’t figure out what a cord goes to, it’s definitely time to toss it. If you don’t even know what the cord is used for, that’s another sign it’s time to go!
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22. Printed Photos You have Digitals of
If you have printed photos and digital photographs, it’s time to toss the physical ones unless they are in a photo album for passing down.
23. Clothing that No Longer Fits
If it doesn’t fit now, don’t wait for it to fit later. This mindset usually isn’t healthy and can become discouraging. Instead, get rid of the clothing that doesn’t fit and instead, set a goal that when you hit a new personal best, you can buy a new top.
24. Wedding Gifts You Don’t Use
Yes, they are sentimental. Yes, someone gave them to you who you most likely care about. But, do they bring you joy or are they used at all? If you answered no to both of those questions, it’s time to move on.
25. Containers with Missing Lids
There is literally no point to this. Do you know how annoying it is to try and pack a container that has no matching lid? It sucks! You can’t ever put liquid in those so just get rid of them.
26. Pet Supplies
We often stock up on supplies for our pets, but hardly ever declutter them. Go through all your pet’s items and toss whatever you don’t use or they don’t like.
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27. Games and Puzzles
Puzzles especially are usually a one-and-done type of activity. If a game has become old, pass it on to a new family. If you’re done with a puzzle, pass it along to another puzzle-loving friend.
28. Takeout Menus / Coupons
All of these are usually available online now. There’s no need to store these in your junk drawer or hang them on the fridge. Just find them online and toss the physical ones.
29. Magnets
Visual clutter on the fridge can become overwhelming. If you have a ton of magnets, ask yourself if they bring you any true joy. If they don’t, toss them!
30. Jewelry You Don’t Wear
Styles change and so does the jewelry you wear. When you become a mom, you tend to go more simple and don’t have a ton of time to choose from a massive collection of jewelry. Size down your collection to your basic, everyday styles and a few for special occasions.
31. Cookbooks
If you have never made a recipe from a cookbook you have and you didn’t just buy it, it’s not worth it to keep them around. Pinterest is the new cookbook – house all your recipes on boards in the digital world instead.
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32. Fancy Outfits
You typically buy a new outfit if you are going to an event that requires something fancy. There’s no need to keep these in your closet. Wear them for the event and make it a habit to sell them right after.
33. Linens
Keep just enough of these to have some for guests, but I honestly don’t even keep extras for my bed because I wash them and put them back on the bed in the same day. Old sheets just take up space for no reason.
34. Old Towels
Old towels are just extra towels taking up valuable closet space. You only need so many towels. Have enough on hand for guests, but no more than guests you can fit in your home.
35. Old Cleaning Supplies
You don’t need a ton of cleaning supplies. Get rid of any extra and keep only what you need on hand and have a rotation system.
36. Old Receipts
I’m not sure why this is one of my weaknesses. I always feel like I need to hold on to my receipts and then they tend to pile up in my purse or wallet.
Most stores have digital apps now that store your receipts there so you really don’t have a need to keep the physical receipt. If you’re worried about needing to possibly return an item, I’d verify the store has a digital receipt then toss the physical one right away.
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37. Toys with Missing Pieces
The kids may have a hard time with this, but if they aren’t playing with their toys because pieces are missing, they need to go.
38. Phone Books
If you have one of these in your possession I would be simply amazed. I don’t even remember the last time I saw one in someone’s home. Toss it, please.
39. Condiment Packets
We used to always keep our leftover condiment packets especially if it was one we loved. But guess what? We always had extra anytime we went somewhere that gave them to us. That told me we definitely don’t need to keep any extras on hand.
40. Chewed Up Pet Toys
They may love them, but boy can those stink! Get rid of the really old, stinky ones!
41. Cardboard Boxes
Offer to give these away to anyone moving. If you ever need them again, just ask on Facebook if any friends happen to have any. Usually, people have extras laying around.
42. Plastic Bags
I keep the amount of plastic bags that can fit into one plastic bag. Once that one bag is full, the rest go! Or, get a storage option for this and don’t overpack it.
43. Empty Gift Cards
Why? Why? I know, there’s this fear that maybe there is some money left on it. Have the store confirm the gift card is empty and have them toss it right then and there.
44. Extra Buttons
Please, someone, tell me when they’ve ever had to use the extra button you get with shirts? Anyone? Anyone?
Point made.
45. Unused Holiday Decor
I am a sucker for new Halloween decor. The problem is, I shop for new decor before it’s even time to put the things I already have out. I end up having way too much for either Halloween or Christmas.
Whatever doesn’t go out on display once I do get to decorating, I automatically put those items up on Facebook Marketplace. If they don’t sell in a week, I donate them.
46. Kids’ Artwork
I keep any artwork that has meaning like the first time they wrote their name, the first self-portrait, etc. I write on the back what it is with the date and toss the rest.
47. Home Decor
Home decor you don’t use or that doesn’t create joy for you any longer should go. Now, don’t go crazy and just start refurnishing and replacing everything, but definitely declutter anything that doesn’t go with your current look or that no longer makes you happy.
Remember, you can always remove things from your home without having to replace them.
48. Extra Water Bottles
There is really no need to have more than max, two water bottles per person in your home. That should cover times you need extras for guests as well.
49. Junk Mail
Need I say more? The title of this literally tells you it’s trash. I know we all keep the paper clutter for some reason in these cute little piles, but I promise you, they came up with that name for a reason.
Don’t even waste your time looking through it, just trash it.
50. Pens and Pencils
If you have more than 50 pens/pencils sitting in a drawer somewhere, you’re not alone. I’m pretty sure every house is a magnet for excessive amounts of pens and pencils in our junk drawers. Who in the hell needs this many and why are we ok with this weird phenomenon?
51. CDs and DVDs
I promise you, these are coming back in style like high-waisted mom jeans did.
Find a way to upload the music or movies to an app. Usually, there’s a way to do this using the code when you purchased it. I know we paid money for these things so unless you’re going to sell these at a garage sale, I’d definitely try to upload them so you can use them later.
We’ve personally uploaded all of our DVDs to Movies Anywhere using these codes.
52. A DVD Player
If you don’t need the DVDs, why would you need the DVD player? I think it’s safe to say we can all move on from these now.
53. Unused Kitchen Utensils
If you aren’t using kitchen items on a regular basis, chances are, you have too much in your kitchen. Downsize to gain more space and really, save you time. The more stuff you have means the more dirty dishes you can accumulate. If there’s less to clean, you are forced to clean more frequently and can’t pile up dirty dishes as often.
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54. Old Cooking Pans
If there are scratches on your Teflon pans, they are ready for the trash! They aren’t good to keep at this point anyways so just get rid of them.
55. Baby / Toddler Items
If your kids are no longer babies or toddlers, it’s time to rid yourself of all those items! Pass them down to someone else that needs them or toss them if they are in bad condition.
56. Old Dessert Decorations
I literally looked in my baking cupboard and saw a candle that was supposed to be from my son’s first birthday. We had accidentally bought two and didn’t know it. It’s still there and he’s almost 2. I know I will never use the damn thing, but I put it in there “just in case”. It went in the garage sale pile!
57. Old Perfumes / Lotions
How many times did you buy a new scent but hadn’t finished your last one? It happens all the time. Toss whatever you can and make it a habit to only replace what’s empty.
The 57 Things You Can Declutter Right Now!
If you are just starting out on your decluttering journey, this is an awesome way to get started! These things to declutter right now are the easy things to tackle first! Getting rid of them can help you start to see the benefits of decluttering and give you the motivation to keep it going!
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
