100 Easy Things to Declutter
Perhaps you’re not sure where to start when decluttering.
Or, maybe you’re experiencing difficulty getting focused about what to pare down.
Don’t despair.
Get started with what’s easiest to get rid of.
There are at least 100 easy things to declutter that will make a difference in your home.
Let’s dive in.
Bathroom:
Although your bathroom may the smallest room in your home, it is usually the area where clutter can easily accumulate. It is always easy to stuff things inside the cabinets in your bathroom or keep a stockpile under the sink.
It is a good idea to get rid of the following to keep your bathroom organized, orderly, and clutter-free:
1. Old nail polish that has already dried up
Even if it is your favorite, don’t try to add solvent or any liquid into the dried-up nail polish to revive it. Once the nail polish dries up, it’s time to throw it away. Adding solvent or any liquid can affect the quality of the nail polish.
2. Hair ties that have lost their elasticity
Hair ties are easy things to declutter. When they have lost their elasticity, they are already useless and it’s time to throw them out.
3. Toiletry samples
These small samples are easily disposable and unlikely to be missed.
4. Old makeup
Makeup has a shelf life and it’s important to be aware of this to avoid potential skin irritation.
5. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is usually good for about 3 years.
6. Old toothbrush
If you’re holding onto an old toothbrush to use for other purposes, immediately put it where you’ll use it. For instance, in your cleaning supply kit. Otherwise discard old toothbrushes, as they can quickly accumulate.
7. Duplicate items
Duplicates or multiples create clutter. Pare down duplicate hairbrushes, nail files, nail clippers, etc.
8. Expired medication and vitamins
Remember to check the labels on medication and vitamins and dispose of them according to your local guidelines.
9. Old perfume
Perfumes expire after approximately 2 years.
10. Used emery boards
Discard emery boards after a few weeks.
11. Old body lotions
Body lotions expire between 1 and 2 years.
Closet:
Decluttering your closet can help you appreciate the pieces of clothing that are comfortable make you feel good. It also takes less time to choose the clothes to wear, and you can save money by not buying too many pieces that you may not even wear in the end.
Here are the easy things to declutter from your closet:
12. Shoes that are too tight
Tight-fitting shoes, no matter how fashionable, will only hurt your feet. Donate them.
13. Socks without a match
Single socks can be repurposed into cleaning cloths, however, if you’ve got a pile of them, it’s time to let go. These can be donated.
14. Single earrings
Single earrings are other easy-to-declutter items.
15. Shoes that you no longer wear
If you’ve got shoes that you’re not wearing, seriously think about whether they’re worth keeping given that you don’t wear them.
16. Old eyeglasses
These can be donated to opticians or optometrists.
17. Broken sunglasses
These are easy to discard.
18. Costume jewelry you no longer wear
You can donate or sell the costume jewelry that you no longer wear.
19. Clothes that no longer fit
If you have clothes that don’t fit you anymore, it’s time to you can donate them.
20. Pantyhose, stockings with runs in them
Don’t keep the stockings or pantyhose with runs. These can be easily discarded.
21. Extra hangers
Extra hangers are taking up space in your closet.
22. Bathing suits that are stretched out or don’t fit
Stretched out bathing suits or ones that don’t fit anymore, will not do much for your confidence. Before heading to the beach or the pool, wear the bathing suit that fits you perfectly and get rid of the ones that don’t.
23. Pajamas/nightgowns you don’t wear
Nightgowns and pajamas that you don’t wear anymore will only become clutter in the long run if you hold onto them.
24. Workout clothing that does not fit
Workout clothing that no longer fits, can also be donated.
25. Extra buttons
The extra buttons you have can become clutter if you don’t store them properly. If you’re not in the habit of sewing on buttons, perhaps it’s time to discard them.
26. Old belts that don’t fit or are damaged
Belts that are too small can be donated. If they’re damaged, discard them.
27. Trendy, out of style clothing
Clothing that no longer suits your style can be donated to charitable organizations.
28. Old coats, jackets
Old coats and jackets that are in relatively good condition, can be donated.
29. Stretched out, old, undergarments
Time to get rid of undergarments that are old and stretched out.
Kitchen:
The busiest area of the house is usually the kitchen, which is important to keep as clean and orderly, as possible.
Here are the things to declutter from your kitchen:
30. Old, worn-out oven mitts
The oven mitts that are worn-out or old can no longer provide the protection that you need. It is best to purchase a new pair and discard the old ones.
31. Children’s dish sets
You can donate or throw away the dish sets that the children have outgrown. Keeping them in your kitchen adds to clutter.
32. Chipped mugs
Avoid drinking out of chipped mugs. Discard them.
33. Old dishtowels
Either repurpose them into cleaning cloths or throw them out.
34. Fridge magnets
Fridge magnets tend to invite more paper notes to be tucked under them and in no time, your fridge starts to look messy.
35. Unused travel mugs
Some of us have an accumulation of travel mugs, which eventually become clutter.
36. Condiment packets
Condiment packets can turn into clutter when you store and collect them in your fridge.
37. Expired spices
Spices expire within 3 to 10 months.
38. Tupperware
If you’ve got a pile of Tupperware, you can donate the containers that have the numbers 1, 2, and 5 on them.
39. Rusty utensils
If you’re not going to take the time to restore them, discard them.
40. Foods that have freezer burn
The texture and taste may make you lose your appetite. It is advisable to discard them.
41. Unused water bottles
You can recycle or repurpose the unused water bottles, depending on the plastic grade.
42. Expired food in the fridge, freezer, pantry
Expired food needs to be discarded.
43. Takeout menus
You don’t need to keep takeout menus, as you can easily see them online.
44. Rusty bakeware
Rusty bakeware is not good for the health of you and your family.
45. Unused cookbooks
Consider donating or selling them.
46. Plastic utensils
Discard your plastic utensils.
47. Takeout straws
Come on now, how often do you use these? You won’t regret getting rid of them.
48. Multiples (spatulas, can openers)
If you have multiple can openers, spatulas, it’s time to pare down.
49. Expired coupons
Expired coupons are easy things to declutter, as you simply discard them.
50. Plastic grocery bags
These can be recycled.
51. Old placemats or ones you don’t use
Collect the old placemats or the ones that you no longer use, and discard them.
Electronics:
It is best to discard the electronics and electronic attachments that you no longer use.
52. Cords
It’s good to have 2 or 3 extra cords, however, having a pile of cords, is likely too many.
53. Outdated technology
Outdated technology, such as an iPod or a Sony Walk Man can be donated or sold on eBay.
54. Packaging for electronics
After you get the item in your house and everything is in working order, no need to hold onto the packaging.
55. CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes
CDs and DVDs are rarely used nowadays, and VHS tapes are obsolete. Keeping them adds to clutter.
56. Old gaming consoles
Outdated gaming consoles must go, period.
57. Old computers/laptops
If you have an updated or better-performing computer/laptop, donate the older model.
58. Old keyboards and mice
These sometimes pile up when you upgrade your computer systems. Donate them.
59. Extra chargers
Some chargers may be damaged and belong to older devices.
60. Old printers
If the printer is in good working order, donate or sell it. If not, discard it.
61. Old USB drives
Old USB drives may not perform well anymore and are likely too small for current applications.
Children’s Items:
It is a good idea to donate or get rid of the children’s items that your children no longer use or have already outgrown.
62. Clothes that don’t fit
These can be donated.
63. Coloring books that are already full
The coloring books that are full can be recycled.
64. Baby clothes
Give to a family member or donate.
65. Old ballet gear
Depending on the condition of the ballet items, donate or discard.
66. Broken crayons
Broken crayons are other easy things to declutter.
67. Dried glue
It is best to throw away the dried glue.
68. Dried markers
Dried markers are also easy things to declutter. It’s best to discard them as they cannot be used.
69. Broken toys
You may recycle the broken toys or completely discard them.
70. Toys they’ve outgrown
You can donate the toys that are still usable.
71. Puzzles with pieces missing
It is best to discard them.
72. Books they’ve outgrown
In addition to libraries and daycare centers, there are other organizations that accept children’s book donations.
73. Games
It’s likely time to donate the games that are gathering dust in the corner of your home.
74. Old backpacks
It is best to donate or discard them.
75. Artwork
You can choose to digitize some of the artwork to preserve the memories.
Linen Closet:
The linen closet also contains some easy things to declutter.
76. Old, frayed towels
These can be donated to animal shelters.
77. Extra pillow inserts
These can also be donated to women’s shelters.
78. Tablecloths that you don’t use
You can donate the tablecloths that you don’t use.
79. Shower curtains with mildew
These can be discarded.
80. Lumpy, flattened pillows
The lumpy, flattened pillows are uncomfortable and may even give you some trouble sleeping. It is best to dispose of them.
81. Ripped throw pillows
If you’re not going to repair them, it’s likely time to discard them.
Other Miscellaneous Items to get rid of:
Here are some other easy things to declutter.
82. Rusty patio furniture
Rusty furniture takes away from the beauty of your patio.
83. Unused exercise equipment
If you have bulky, unused exercise equipment, you can donate or sell it.
84. Extra suitcases and duffel bags
Keep only what you need.
85. Empty boxes
Flatten them and recycle them. There’s no shortage of them.
86. Old calendars and daytimers
Check for any notes you may want to keep and then discard them.
87. Old textbooks
If you’re not referencing them, consider donating them.
88. Empty paint cans
Dispose of these according to the procedures for your area.
89. Pieces of wood
These can be discarded.
90. Bubble wrap
If you’re not regularly shipping items, this can be recycled.
91. Old batteries
Check your local area for the proper disposal process.
92. Chewed up pet toys
These can be disposed of.
93. Old sports equipment
You can sell or donate old sports equipment.
94. Extra gift bags
If you are in the habit of reusing them, only keep the best ones and discard the rest.
95. Used gift cards
If you don’t regularly re-load them, dispose of them.
96. Pens that don’t work
The only suitable place for the pens that don’t work is the trash.
97. Extra Allen wrenches
Keep them all in the same place so you know when you have duplicates that you can get rid of.
98. Hobby supplies
If you are no longer active in this hobby, donate the supplies.
99. Unused office supplies
Donate or give away unused office supplies.
100. Unused craft supplies
Donate unused craft supplies and have someone else enjoy them.
Recap:
Now you have no more excuses about where to start when it comes to decluttering.
As you go through this list, there are bound to be things that you can easily discard as you kickstart your decluttering journey.
