Still Hanging Onto These 15 Kitchen Items? Here’s Why That’s a Huge Mistake
Most people tend to hold on to more stuff than is actually needed which leads to a cluttered home. The kitchen tends to be the most used room in any house and unfortunately, the most cluttered.
We all stash various gadgets and unused food items away in cupboards never to see the light of day again. In this article we’ll be highlighting those forgotten items helping you to free up valuable space in your kitchen. Keep reading to find out more.
What To Get Rid Of In Your Kitchen
According to experts, we all have unwanted or unused items in our kitchens. Let’s look at 15 items that you probably have in your kitchen which are just taking up space and never actually get used. They include;
1. Out Of Date Food & Spices
There’s a high possibility that you have items in your food cupboard that have long since gone out of date. To be fair, there are several types of food that can still be used after their use by date. But any stale or long out of date items should be thrown out.
Start with your spice rack as this is typically where out of date products lurk. Then look at seldom used packaged goods that are stored at the back of cupboards. Once you’ve cleared your cupboard or pantry of these out of date foods, only replace them if you’re sure that you’re going to actually use them in the future.
Try to buy smaller packets of seldom used items, we know they might work out more expensive than buying larger packets, but think about how much you’ll actually use and how much will get thrown out.
2. Unused Gimmick Appliances
Remember that ice cream maker or novelty waffle maker that you bought on impulse and never used? It’s time to donate it to a charity shop so someone can actually use it.
Any gimmicky appliance that you don’t use needs to be gone. This will free up your kitchen for more useful items that you will actually use.
3. A Collection Of Used Carrier Bags
We’re all told we need to be more aware of our environmental impact nowadays. Which is probably why there is a large collection of plastic and paper carrier bags crammed into one of your kitchen cupboards.
What you probably don’t realise is that many plastic bags are now biodegradable which means they’re probably slowly rotting in your cupboard. Plus paper bags can attract insects and other pests.
It’s time to shrink your carrier bag collection down to a usable size and recycle the rest.
4. Duplicate Utensils
Do you really need three can openers and two peelers? And how many other duplicate utensils and other kitchen tools are hiding in your drawers and cupboards?
It’s time to be ruthless and donate or throw any duplicate items that are taking up unnecessary space.
5. Leftover Party Supplies
When that pirate themed party you had was over, what did you do with any unused props, themed paper plates and napkins? The chances are they’re in a drawer or cupboard in your kitchen.
You will probably never have another pirate themed party for the rest of your life, so why not throw them away or donate them to a charity shop? If you don’t want to do that try using them for everyday meals etc until they’re gone.
6. Unused Tools & Utensils
Think about the last time you used that garlic press or the juicer that has never been out of its box. You need to have a serious think about any utensils or small appliances and whether they’re necessary to your lifestyle or not.
If the answer is that you don’t use them nor need them, it’s time to get rid of them and free up some space for something you actually do use.
7. Food That’s Been Open For Some Time
If you have half eaten packets of food that have been in the cupboard for some time, they might still be OK. But the chances are they’ve gone stale.
Certain foods like crisps, cereals, crackers and other packaged goods go stale quite quickly once they’ve been exposed to the air. If that open packet has been in the cupboard for too long, it’s time to throw it out.
8. Food You Don’t Really Like
We all fall victim to fad foods at one time or another. Remember that packet of wild rice you tried once and didn’t like? Or that hawthorn tea that everybody was raving about?
Whatever it is, if you didn’t like it there’s no point in keeping it. Whether it’s taking up cupboard space, freezer space or room in your fridge, it’s time to get rid of any food that you don’t like.
9. Storage Containers That Don’t Match
We all need a decent set of storage containers in the kitchen. But the emphasis there is a decent set! Not those stained, broken or mismatched pieces you have in your cupboard.
Oftentimes, those mismatched containers fall out of the cupboard as soon as you open the door. Which is a sure sign that they need to be dealt with.
Any old containers which have scratches or ingrained stains should be discarded. As well as any without matching lids or extra lids with no containers and vice versa.
10. Damaged Pots & Pans
Non-stick pans with scratches, baking trays with burnt on food that can’t be removed, damaged or loose pan handles. All of these items should be discarded and replaced with new more efficient cookware.
This will free up space and produce more healthy food.
11. Cracked Crockery & Glassware
We all keep damaged pottery far longer than we should. Chipped plates, cracked bowls and mugs with damaged handles should all be thrown away.
Not only do they look unsightly, they also can harbour germs and bacteria in the cracks which could cause ill health.
12. Magazines & Papers
Many kitchens house a collection of product manuals, brochures and other paper items that are not necessary in this digital age. If you need technical details about one of the products in your kitchen, they can usually be found online.
So it’s time to ditch those manuals, recycle those brochures and remove all of that excess paper from your kitchen.
13. Multiple Water Bottles
Most of us now use a water bottle daily. It’s a great way to monitor how much water we actually consume, but do we really need multiple water bottles?
The answer is no, we don’t need more than one water bottle. If you have multiple water bottles, take them to a charity shop and let someone else benefit from your excess.
14. Unused Appliances
We have all fallen victim to fad purchases at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, those unused appliances usually find their way into our kitchen cupboards and take up the space of items that we actually could use.
From bread makers and toasters to juicers and sandwich grills, any appliance that hasn’t been used for more than 18 months should be donated or thrown away. If you really can’t bring yourself to part with these appliances, stick them in the loft for safe keeping.
15. Bad Oils & Nuts
Most people forget about bottles of oils, jars of nut butters and packets of nuts. But all of these items have a shelf life and if they’re kept for too long after that date, they begin to go rancid.
Open all oils, nut butter jars and packets of nuts and check that they don’t have an unusual smell. If they do smell off or funny, they should be thrown away.
Extra Unnecessary Kitchen Items
If you enjoyed our 15 items that you probably don’t use in your kitchen, here are a few more;
16. Fast Food Condiments
Whenever you go to a fast food restaurant or have a take away, you often get loaded with ketchup sachets or sugar and salt packets. Most of us take the extras home because it’s a waste to just throw them away.
However, most of the time they end up in a kitchen drawer, never to be used. They just keep on building up every time you buy a burger or a coffee.
If you have never used these packets in all the years you have collected them, it’s definitely time to throw them away. That drawer could be used for something useful.
17. Inherited China
We often get left certain things in the will of a loved one and sometimes those items are china tea sets or dinner sets. If you really love your great grandmother’s dinner set and you use it regularly, it’s earned its place in your kitchen cupboard.
However, if you’re holding onto it out of guilt, and you never use it, it’s time to pass it on to someone else. You could give it to another family member or donate it to a charity shop.
18. Mugs
For some reason, people tend to collect mugs, which is quite illogical really, because most of us have a favourite mug that we use every day. While it’s good to have enough mugs for when guests arrive, how many guests do you actually have over at any one time?
The reality is that most people could comfortably get by with six or maybe eight matching mugs. Any more is just adding to the kitchen clutter.
19. Empty Jars
The problem here is that glass jars seem too good to simply throw away. Especially if they are fancy looking or have an air tight lid. Anything from coffee jars, jam jars and even fancy yogurt jars often find their way into our kitchen cupboards just in case they become useful.
However, they typically never get used and simply take up valuable space for years on end. You don’t need to worry about throwing these potentially useful items away, put them in the recycle bin and feel good about contributing to making new glass jars out of recycled materials.
20. Frozen Foods With Freezer Burn
Food stored in a freezer can last for ages. Which is why we load our freezers full of food. But eventually, even frozen foods go past their best.
Once frozen foods have gone past their best they often display freezer burn. The time scale for freezer burn is different and depends on the individual item. But once freezer burn appears the food will almost certainly not taste or feel as good as it should.
21. Anything That’s Not Been Used For 36 Months
In life, we all go through various fads over the years and sadly it’s our kitchens that offer the most reminders. For instance if you are now a vegetarian or vegan, you don’t need that large turkey roasting tin any more.
If you no longer make cakes, you don’t need those cupcake tins or cake pans. Your kitchen deserves a declutter and so do you. With less unused items, you will have more room in your kitchen for items that you actually use.
So, anything that hasn’t been used for three years or so, should be donated or thrown away.
22. Worn Chopping Boards
If you own a plastic chopping board and it’s scratched or has grooves appearing on the surface, it’s time to ditch it as soon as you can and replace it with a new one. Those scratches and grooves often end up harbouring germs and bacteria which could potentially make your family seriously ill.
When replacing your chopping board opt for a wooden one because even though wood can still get scratched, it can be sanded down and treated with oil. Which makes it a more sustainable option than using plastic which needs discarding as soon as it scratches.
23. Recipe Books You Never Use
Cookbooks can be a great source of inspiration, but most of us are guilty of having a shelf full of them and only ever using one or two favourites. The rest sit there collecting dust, often outdated or full of recipes that just don’t fit your current lifestyle or tastes.
If you find yourself googling recipes more than flicking through books, it might be time to have a clear out. Keep the ones you love and actually cook from, and donate the rest to a charity shop where someone else might appreciate them. Clearing this space could make room for a more organised spice rack, a better coffee station, or simply less visual clutter.
Time To Take Back Control Of Your Kitchen
A cluttered kitchen doesn’t just make cooking more difficult, it creates unnecessary stress and takes up space that could be put to better use. By being honest about what you actually use and letting go of the rest, you can transform your kitchen into a space that works for you, not against you.
Remember, it’s not about being ruthless for the sake of it, it’s about making room for what matters. So next time you open that chaotic cupboard or drawer, take it as a sign, it’s time to reclaim your kitchen and enjoy a more organised, functional, and peaceful space.
SEE ALSO: If You Own a Home, You NEED to Do These 11 Things Every Month!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally, you should aim to do a light declutter in your kitchen every few months and a more thorough clear out at least once a year. This helps keep things manageable and stops clutter from building up.
Consider donating unwanted kitchen items to a charity shop or offering them to local community groups. As long as they’re in good condition, someone else might get use from them.
Be mindful when buying new kitchen items. Ask yourself if it’s truly useful, if you’ll use it often, and where it will live in your kitchen. If you don’t have a space for it, it might not be worth buying.
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