It’s amazing how quickly things pile up at home, isn’t it? Life gets busy, and before you know it, you’ve got drawers, shelves, and cupboards bursting with items you don’t really need. By letting go of the excess, you can create a tidier, more intentional home that feels refreshingly lighter and much easier to live in!
Old Chargers and Cables
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that a drawer full of tangled cables is a sight many of us know too well. Technology moves so fast that you’re probably holding onto leads for devices you haven’t used in years.
Go through your stash, figure out what’s still useful, and responsibly recycle the rest. Many electronic stores or recycling centres will take them, and it’s reassuring to know you’re not adding to landfill. With less in your drawer, you’ll be able to find the cables you actually need without the frustration of untangling a nest of wires.
Expired Spices
Did you know dried herbs and spices lose their flavour after a couple of years? Most dried herbs usually last 1–3 years, while ground spices are good for 2–3 years. Whole spices can go a little longer, sometimes up to 4 years. If your spices smell more like dust than zest, it’s time for a refresh, so check the dates, give them a sniff, and toss the stale ones. Then, treat yourself to some fresh, exciting flavours, and you’ll be amazed at how much better your dishes taste.
Unread Magazines
Stacks of magazines seem to multiply when you’re not looking, and sure, you might plan to flip through them one day, but if they’ve been sitting there untouched for months, it’s time to be honest with yourself. Donate them to a waiting room or recycle them and think of all the lovely, clear surfaces you’ll get back.
Single Socks
The mystery of the missing sock is universal, but holding onto the solo ones “just in case” isn’t doing you any favours. Set a limit for how many odd socks you keep for cleaning or crafting, and if you’ve passed that number, let the rest go. You’ll thank yourself every time you open your sock drawer and find it’s not overflowing with loners.
Plastic Food Containers Without Lids
We all have a dreaded container cupboard, and if you’ve got mismatched plastic containers or ones without lids, then it’s time to say goodbye. Only keep the sets you use regularly and recycle the rest so that now when you open your cupboard, it’s tidy and organised, where everything fits and has its place.
Broken Jewellery
You might think you’ll fix that broken necklace or find the mate to that lone earring someday, but if it’s been years and they’re just gathering dust, it’s time to move on. Some charities accept broken jewellery for repair, so your discarded treasures could still help someone else, meaning it’s a win-win for decluttering and giving back.
Old Makeup and Toiletries
We’ve all got a collection of half-used makeup and forgotten shampoos lingering in the bathroom, but did you know beauty products expire? Mascara, for example, should be replaced every three months, and liquid foundation lasts just 6–12 months.
Using expired products can irritate your skin, so check those dates and clear out what’s past its prime. Your bathroom will feel so much fresher, and your skin will thank you.
Unworn Clothes
Everyone’s got that dress they haven’t worn since the last wedding season or jeans they’re keeping just in case they’ll fit into them one day. If it doesn’t fit, isn’t comfortable, or no longer feels like you, it’s time to pass it on. Charity shops, clothing swaps, or even selling online can give your clothes a second life and your wardrobe some much-needed breathing space.
Takeaway Menus
In the digital age, takeaway leaflets have become very much redundant. All they do is clutter up drawers and never seem to look appealing when you’re tidying. Recycle them and bookmark your favourite places online so your kitchen drawers can feel much more organised.
Old Receipts
Receipts have a sneaky way of piling up, and while some are important for returns or taxes, most are just clutter. Go through your stash and keep only the necessary ones, or you could even digitise them and get rid of paper receipts altogether. Nothing sounds more appealing than a receipt-free wallet and tidier drawers.
Forgotten Hobby Supplies
So, you tried knitting, painting, or baking once upon a time, and now the supplies are just sitting there. If it’s been years since you last used them, then consider gifting them to a friend or donating them to a community centre. Someone else could make something great out of them, and you’ll love the freed-up space.
Unused Kitchen Gadgets
That spiraliser or fondue set might have felt like a great idea at the time, but if it’s gathering dust, then it’s not earning its keep. Donate or sell those gadgets you never use and get back your valuable cupboard space for the kitchen tools you truly love.
Excess Coffee Mugs
We’re all guilty of having more mugs than we need. Whether they’re gifts or impulse buys, you probably have dozens stacked up in your cupboard. Keep your favourites and donate the rest to charity or friends or family. It’s oddly satisfying to open a cupboard where mugs aren’t tumbling out at you, making your cup of coffee just that bit more relaxing.
Outdated Tech Gadgets
That old MP3 player or digital camera might have been amazing back in the day, but now you can’t remember the last time you used it. If they’re not worth selling, look into local recycling schemes to declutter your old tech gadgets.
Nearly Empty Cleaning Products
Let’s be real: cleaning cupboards can become a graveyard for half-empty bottles. To free up space, either use up what’s left or consolidate duplicates. Keeping just the essentials makes your cleaning routine feel far less overwhelming and not like a chore every time you have to dust or polish.
Board Games Missing Pieces
There’s nothing worse than sitting down for game night and realising you’re missing a crucial piece. If the game’s incomplete and unlikely to be repaired, then it’s probably time to chuck it or donate it. Someone else might get creative with replacement pieces or repurpose it entirely, giving a game you won’t miss a whole new lease of life.
Excess Glassware
Just like your mugs, wine glasses, tumblers, and pint glasses can also stack up fast. Unless you’re hosting regular dinner parties, then you probably don’t need an overflowing collection. It’s best to keep a reasonable number and donate the rest; trust us—your kitchen storage will feel so much better for it.
Old Books You’ll Never Reread
Yes, books are wonderful, but not every title deserves a permanent spot on your shelf. If it didn’t spark joy the first time or has been gathering dust for years, it might be time to donate or sell it. A curated collection of books you love feels so much more meaningful and will bring you joy each time you go back to it.
Forgotten Gift Bags and Wrapping Paper
Gift bags and wrapping paper scraps can take over your cupboards before you know it. A good idea is to keep a modest selection for the next occasion and then recycle the rest. Wrapping gifts will feel much less chaotic when you’re not wading through a mountain of paper.
Old Bedding and Towels
Finally, it goes without saying that worn-out bedding and towels can lose their cosiness over time. Instead of hoarding them, donate them to animal shelters, as they’ll have far better use there than being stuck in your airing cupboard. They’re a great way to keep animals comfy and warm, and you’ll no doubt enjoy the extra space in your cupboard.