125+ Things to Throw Away Today

We’re all guilty of hoarding things we no longer need or that serve no purpose in our lives. Clutter in our closets, kitchen drawers, attics, and other corners of the house is so commonplace that we don’t even notice it. It’s time to cut down on hoarding, adopt a more minimalist lifestyle, and create more storage space for the things we actually need. The dilemma is, where should we start?

Decluttering your entire home may seem like a daunting process, causing stress and anxiety. That is why I came up with a list of stuff that I, and many others, keep around the house but could do without. Things that take up space yet are rarely or never used. This is a generic list that is simple to follow. Not everything may be relevant to you, but use it as a starting point and begin your decluttering journey today. The process will be fast and easy, and you won’t miss any of it once you’re done. Just remember to dispose of items responsibly. Donate, recycle, sell, or discard; we don’t want everything to end up in a landfill.

 Kitchen Decluttering List 

• All expired food in your fridge/freezer/pantry
• Herbs and spices you don’t and won’t use
• Flavoured tea/coffee/beverages that no one likes
• Nonstick cookware that has lost its coating
• Excess utensils, crockery, and cutlery
• Chipped mugs and plates.
• Plastic containers missing their lids
• Delivery plastic boxes: save only the ones that look good
• Broken appliances
• Duplicate kitchen gadgets
• Appliances you haven’t used for the last year
• Extra Tumblers, normal water bottles, and thermoses—save the ones you actually use
• Dull knives that cannot be sharpened
• Old cutting boards that need replacing
• Take out menus/pamphlets
• Plastic cutlery, condiment packets, and straws from the fast food and takeout
• Recipe books that are never used
• Instruction manuals for appliances you no longer have
• Dirty, stained cleaning cloths and tea towels
• Extra plastic grocery bags – you can’t keep collecting them
• Cleaning supplies that you don’t use
• Dried-up dish sponges
• Expired fire extinguishers

Living Room Decluttering List

• Old magazines – discard any that are more than six months old
• Extra drink coasters
• Board games with missing pieces
• Plants that have died or are nearly dead
• Art that you no longer enjoy
• Decor items that make the area feel cluttered or do not fit the space
• Old diffuser oils or potpourri
• Extra cushions, as well as ones that have fallen flat
• Excess Furniture
• Throws and cushion covers that are old and faded

Bedroom Decluttering List

• Old and worn-out sheets, bed covers, pillow covers, and quilts
• Pillows that have become flat and stained
• Stuff on the bedside table that is never used
• Clear out the things under the bed.

Makeup Decluttering List

• Makeup, sunscreen, and skincare items that have expired or are no longer in use
• Dried-out nail polish or colours you don’t like
• Extra combs, hairbrushes, and other hair accessories
• Frayed scrunchies and broken hair ties.
• Hair styling equipment that has not been used
• Dried-up wet wipes.
• Old contact lens cases.
• Blunt scissors
• Costume jewellery that you don’t wear
• Broken or rusted accessories
• Earrings without a match

Closet Decluttering List

• Everything you haven’t worn in the past 18 months
• Clothing that does not fit anymore
• Promotional or free t-shirts that you never wear
• Socks without partners or having holes in them
• Shoes that make your feet hurt.
• Shoes with holes or a tattered appearance
• Bags that haven’t been used for ages
• Belts that do not fit or look battered.
• Clothes that require repairs but are never fixed.
• Sunglasses that you no longer wear
• Clothing with tears and stains
• Bras and underwear that are stretched out
• Wire hangers
• The plastic hanger that comes with store-bought clothing

Bathroom Decluttering List

• Towels, bathrobes, and bath mats that have become ragged and threadbare.
• Old razors and toothbrushes
• Body wash, conditioners, and shampoos that no longer work
• Old loofahs and scrubbers are difficult to clean, so you may as well replace them.
• Dried-up face masks
• Hotel or sample-sized toiletries that have been overlooked for several months

Kid’s Room Decluttering List

• Old and broken toys.
• Old textbooks and notepads that you no longer need
• Clothes/shoes that your children have outgrown
• Dried-out crayons, glue, and markers
• Random Happy Meal toys
• Games and puzzles with missing pieces
• Toys that your kids are not playing with anymore
• Stuffed toys that have seen better days
• Random knick-knacks your child has accumulated over the years
• Stuff they have grown out of: crib, bassinet, car seats, strollers, baby blankets, and so on
• Art projects that you’re not really interested in keeping

Study/Office Decluttering List

• Bank statements, income tax returns, and other papers that are not needed now
• Pens and markers that don’t work
• Coupons, receipts, letters, and brochures that have lost their value.
• Keys that you are unsure about
• Old magazines and periodicals
• Greeting cards that hold no sentimental value
• Crinkled wrapping paper, ribbons, and gift bags
• Books you’ve read and won’t read again
• Business cards/notebooks you no longer need
• Photos of random people.
• Outdated calendars, diaries, and planners
• Old reading glasses that do not fit your current prescription
• Excess office supplies like files, folders, stationery, plastic sleeves, and so on

Digital/Electronics Cluttering list

• Charges, cables, and remotes for devices you no longer have
• Screenshots you don’t need
• Unused applications are taking up space
• CDs and DVDs that you don’t watch
• Electronics that do not function.
• Devices you don’t use, such as headphones, cell phones, laptops, tablets, printers, flash drives, cameras, and game consoles
• Emails that are no longer required
• Subscriptions that you have forgotten about
• Duplicate and random pictures that take up space on your phone
• Dead batteries lying about in drawers

Garage/Attic/Store Decluttering List

• Everything that hasn’t been used in the last five years
• Old, broken, unused sports equipment, gym equipment, bikes, musical instruments, and camping gear
• Holiday decorations that you hardly use
• Old rugs rolled up and taking up unnecessary space
• Broken or torn luggage that cannot be repaired
• Empty or dried-out paint cans

• Tools that are broken, rusted, or that you do not use
• Garden tools and accessories that are broken
• Cartons that came with your TV, Microwave, Computer, and so on
• Empty boxes – shoe boxes, gift boxes, phone boxes, shipping boxes
• Random nails, nuts, bolts, and screws
• Freebies you forgot about
• Unfinished craft projects
• Hobby supplies that are no longer of interest
• Tables and chairs you don’t need
• Broken or overlooked Bluetooth speakers
• Pet toys that no longer interest your pets

Random Misc Decluttering List

• Expired medicines
• Travel knick-knacks and mementos that are no longer as appealing
• Sewing supplies that have never been used
• Unwanted gifts
• Photo negatives
• Items you have hoarded only because they were pricey.
• Extra buttons that come with clothing.
• The old curtains and blinds
• Previously used backpacks
• Expired insect repellents and air fresheners 

What should you do with the stuff you’ve decluttered?

If you do a major decluttering, you will be overwhelmed by how many things there are to get rid of. Throwing away here means decluttering appropriately, rather than simply discarding stuff. There are plenty of ways to dispose of the items that you have sorted. Old blankets, bed linens, and towels can be donated to animal shelters, and clothing and shoes can be given to a worthy charity. Batteries, laptops, and other electrical items, as well as glass, should be recycled. Giving books and periodicals to a library is also a great idea. If your things are in decent shape, you can sell them on Facebook Marketplace, OLX, and other platforms. It’s also OK to throw away totally useless stuff. Although it may seem like a lot of work, I promise you will like the look and feel of a more spacious and organized home.