There are many things to declutter and throw away around the house, from unused plastics to extra magazines you’ve already read.
Although it’s not the most fun to face, taking the time to rid your home, office, property or any space of unused, broken, old or extra items is a great way to free your life of unnecessary stress and strain.
A List of Things to Declutter
- Plastic and Metal Wire Hangers — Getting rid of our plastic hangers and switching to wooden hangers has been a great way to consider each clothing item’s importance and slim down the wardrobe.
- Expired Food Items & Medication — Throw out any food, spices, or medications that have expired. You’ll cut down on the clutter in addition to avoiding any unsafe or unhealthy expired items. If you have food storage, be sure to rotate out and/or use any food items close to expiring too.
- Worn Socks & Undergarments — If any socks or undergarments have holes or fringed edges, it’s best to throw them out and replace them. You’ll feel best starting your day with a fresh set of intact socks and underwear.
- Miscellaneous Cords & Electronics — We all have a box or drawer of random electronics and cords that have built up over time. Donate or throw out any cords you’re no longer using or have multiples of.
- Confront the Junk Drawer — We all have one—the infamous junk drawer. Depending on the depth of your junk drawer’s issues, you may want to spend a full day going through its intricacies.
- Empty Pens & Used Pencils — Rid yourself of pens that are out of ink or pencils that have been sharpened to oblivion.
- Extra Sets of Knives — Keep your favorite set of knives sharp and ready for use and discard the rest.
- Useless Cooking Utensils & Tools — Every time I declutter my kitchen, I find a few tools I would deem pretty much useless to have around. Now is the time to toss out those random kitchen products you purchased late at night from TV years ago and haven’t used.
- Old Rags and Towels — I like to use all my handtowels and rags well before throwing them out, but they need to go once they reach a ragged point.
- Unloved Decorations — Decluttering your home also includes considering each decoration and deciding if you genuinely want it displayed in your home or not.
- Rotate Your Mattress & Declutter Under the Bed — Decluttering your home is a good time to rotate your mattress. While you’re at it, check under your bed for any items that can be tossed.
- Unused Plant Containers & Pots — After purchasing many houseplants and garden plants, lots of plastic containers, trays, and pots can build up. Toss out the plastic plant containers if you don’t have any use for them.
- Email Inbox — Decluttering can take digital form, too, so don’t forget to declutter your email inbox along with the rest of your home.
- Books You’ve Finished Reading — I used to hoard and collect all books I’ve ever had, but I now release some that I’ve read through a few times, as a large collection can become bulky and difficult to move. I now have a collection of favorite books that are sentimental or hold extra value to me.
- Plastic Food Storage Containers — Consider switching out your plastic Tupperware for longer-lasting glass food storage containers.
- Old Receipts & Financial Documents — I generally only keep receipts for the past three years in case of an audit, and those who hope to recoup bad debts or other situations may want to keep up to seven years of past receipts.
- Clothes That Don’t Fit — Now is the perfect time to get rid of any clothes that don’t fit or are out of style.
- Surplus Mugs & Water Bottles — Often, logoed gift mugs and water bottles from work or friends can build up and collect in the cabinet. Keep your favorites and get rid of the rest.
- Piles of Magazines — Stacks of magazines can add up quickly, with any you don’t have an emotional attachment to being prime candidates for rehoming.
- Anything Broken — It’s best to part with any items in the home that are broken. Free your mind and space and let it go.
The process of decluttering doesn’t happen in a day, so be sure to pace yourself and take each item step by step. You can do this.
Remember, many people need many household items, so be sure to donate what you can first before placing it directly in the garbage.
How can I declutter my house quickly?
Declutter your house quickly by focusing on single items or themes to organize instead of looking at decluttering your home as a whole. Thinking smaller will keep you from getting overwhelmed with the project.
What should I get rid of when decluttering?
We fail to recognize many things have built up in our homes that can be rid of when decluttering. When analyzing the items in your home, rid yourself of any unused items, or hold little value and importance in your life setting.
How can I declutter my home in 30 days?
Are you looking to declutter your home in 30 days? Focus on one of the items above daily through the month as your goal to declutter.
I’ve found that by making decluttering a daily habit, my home remains clutter-free instead of certain areas or items building up and becoming a problem.
How much does it cost to declutter a house?
You can declutter your house for free if you do the work yourself!
You can hire an outside person or service to help speed up the process and guide your hand, but it’s also possible to do so yourself in smaller, slower chunks of time.
Ask a friend or family member to assist you and give input during the process!
