Eight Items That Typically Require Disposal During Home Cleaning Processes
In the bustle of daily life, it's common for homes to accumulate things you no longer need or use. Clinging to these items might seem harmless, but over time, they can make it challenging to locate the items you actually utilize. If you're unsure about what to keep and what to discard, we're sharing a list of common household items that experts recommend getting rid of or donating.
- Lee Thompson, creator of Better Home and Garden's Get Organized podcast
- Jill Gusto, organizing expert and founder of The Organized Mama
Outdated Bills and Bank Statements
Although it might feel uncomfortable to throw away tax information or medical records, eliminating documents you no longer require is an essential step towards giving your home a revamp. "In an age where almost all the information we need is accessible online, we don't need to keep paper documents for years," says organizing expert Lee Thompson, creator of Better Home and Garden's Get Organized podcast.
Discard anything that's expired or can be easily found online – think outdated warranties, tax documents from several years ago, and bank, credit card, and mortgage statements. Shred any documents containing personal information. Miscellaneous items like old takeout menus, junk mail, your child's schoolwork, flyers, and coupons can also be tossed. "If you wish to keep anything, you can always scan items and store them in a cloud-based service," Thompson suggests.
Damaged or Duplicate Dishes and Silverware
Since most kitchens have limited storage space, try to be selective about what you choose to keep. "The easiest way to create more space in your kitchen is to have a high standard for what stays," says Thompson. Keep items that are used frequently or have a sentimental value, and everything else can be discarded, donated, or downsized.
Items worth parting with include duplicates or items that essentially serve the same purpose. Donate extra cooking utensils, knives, and serving ware you never use. Any broken or damaged pieces can be tossed. "Just because they were used and enjoyed in the past, doesn't mean they have to stay in your home now that they've lost their value," Thompson says. The same rule applies to any items missing their counterparts – like the food storage container you can never seem to find the lid for.
Moldy or Expired Food and Pantry Items
Thoroughly inspect your pantry and kitchen cabinets to find expired or stale products. Then, go through your refrigerator and look for moldy produce, expired condiments, and anything else that doesn't look good for consumption.
Expired Makeup and Toiletries
Your bathroom can be a hub for half-empty, expired, and rarely used items. To streamline this area, discard anything that smells or looks off, including products that have separated or changed in color. "Look for the small logo on your product that looks like a lid with a jar open – it will have a number, and that number tells you how long a product is good for after you've opened it," says Jill Gusto, organizing expert and founder of The Organized Mama. Items you love and use regularly can be kept, everything else should be thrown away.
Clothes You No Longer Wear
Downsizing your wardrobe can be challenging, but it's an important step when trying to tidy up your closet. Start by taking inventory of your clothes and accessories. Consider parting with clothes that are worn out or have stains need a good washing and donating clothes you never wear or no longer fit.
Worn Towels and Linens
Don't neglect your linen closet when decluttering your space. Old blankets and towels can be donated to animal shelters instead of being thrown away. While you're at it, go through any extra bedding you have and see what's damaged or has missing components, like a lost pillowcase or fitted sheet.
Junk Drawer Junk
Most houses have a designated drawer filled with miscellaneous items, ranging from old cell phones to stray pens and pencils. "Usually, this is the space where everything without a home ends up," Thompson says. "Sometimes, they include useful items such as flashlights and batteries, and often they house items that we never touch but can't seem to part with."
Rename this space in your home as the place where items with utility live so you avoid the notion that anything can go inside. "It has a deliberate purpose," Gusto says. Make it beautiful, and you'll want to keep it organized. Discard inkless pens, dead batteries, empty tape dispensers, broken phone chargers, and other unusable items. Additionally, consider downsizing multiples of certain items, like paper clips and rubber bands.
Broken or Outgrown Toys
If your child's toy box is overflowing, now is a great time to go through it and pick out any broken or outgrown play-things. Consider donating or giving away the old ones to friends and family. Toys and stuffed animals that have been lovingly destroyed over the past year can be discarded. Of course, keep the most treasured ones – you can even memorialize them by having them refurbished or upcycled into a memento.
Martha Stewart, known for her expertise in home organization, suggests tackling 'Storage Organization' by getting rid of outdated 'tax documents' from several years ago. Jill Gusto, founder of The Organized Mama, encourages decluttering your home by discarding 'broken or outdated dishes and silverware' to create more storage space.
