Why Professional Organisers Say These 15 Things Have to Go Now
Creating an organised, tidy home isn’t just about rearranging your possessions. To create a truly organised home, you need to be ruthless and throw away any items that you no longer use.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to struggle and in this article we’ll show you what to donate, what to share and what needs to be thrown out. Keep reading to find out more.
Why Decluttering Your Home Matters
Decluttering isn’t just about making your space look tidy, it’s about improving your quality of life. A clutter free home helps reduce stress, improves focus, and creates a sense of calm and control.
When your environment is organised, it’s easier to relax, be productive, and enjoy the space you live in. Decluttering also helps you appreciate what you have, avoid unnecessary purchases, and make room for the things that truly matter. Less mess means less stress, and a happier, more functional home.
It’s Time To Ditch The Clutter
So without further ado, let’s get right into what items in your home you need to get rid of. They include;
1. Worn Out Cooking Implements
Whether it’s bent skewers or rusty baking trays or anything else in between, professional organisers all agree, these items should be thrown away. While you’re at it, throw away any out of date herbs, spices and seasonings as well.
Any cookware that’s still functional and safe, should be listed on freecycle so that someone else can make use of them.
2. Old Or Damaged Outdoor Games
How many warped out of shape frisbees or torn kites do you need? Answer, none! That old cricket set missing stumps, punctured footballs, tennis rackets that need restringing, they can all be thrown away.
Because let’s face it, no one is ever going to play with them again. Don’t forget about inflatable beach toys that have been punctured for three years, you’re never going to repair them even if you did buy a patch kit. They should all be sent to the dump.
3. Clothes That Don’t Fit Any More
If you’ve recently lost a load of weight or (more likely) put a load of weight on, there’s no point hanging onto those old clothes. Ill fitting clothes or out of date fashion items should be donated to a charity shop so that someone else can benefit from them.
Any items that you think might be worth something could be sold on Vinted or eBay, the rest should be donated.
4. Damaged Patio Items
Any damaged patio chairs or tables, strands of patio lights that no longer work, parasols with holes in, these are just a few of the patio items that it’s time to get rid of. If you can’t take these bulky items to the tip yourself, contact your local council and they’ll arrange a collection.
5. Worn Out Shoes
We’ve all got that one pair of shoes that are so comfortable that we don’t want to part with them. Even though the heel has worn down and there is a hole forming at the toes.
The reality is you’ll never wear those shoes again so it’s time to part with them. They need to be discarded to make room for a pair that you can actually wear.
6. Frayed Towels
All of your old and frayed beach towels, hand towels that are way past their best and overly scratchy bath towels should be discarded and replaced with new ones. However, instead of simply throwing them away, contact a local pet shelter where they can be put to good use.
7. Old Gardening Items
If you were to check your garden shed, you’ll probably find a plethora of old plant pots, broken tools, out of date seeds and old leaky hose pipes. These should all be thrown out which will free up room in your shed for items that you do use.
Think how much easier it will be to get to the lawnmower if that junk wasn’t in the way.
8. Old Shopping Bags
How many plastic or linen shopping bags do you need? And if you’re anything like it is in our house, everytime you go shopping you either forget to take a bag or buy more than you thought and have to get yet another bag.
Or maybe you have a cool bag that’s past it’s best or has a tear or split. Any broken bags should be discarded and watch out for those carrier bags because many are biodegradable and could be decomposing in your cupboard as we speak.
9. Chipped Mugs & Cups
Chipped or cracked china can harbour germs and bacteria and nobody likes drinking from a chipped mug or cup. If you’re going to replace the chipped or damaged mugs, maybe it’s time to discard the rest of the set and go for a new matching set.
Also those mugs with logos and cartoon characters were great when the kids were young, but now, they just seem dated. And don’t forget about those old leaky water bottles, cracked glasses, chipped plates and bowls, they should all be discarded and replaced with a matching set.
10. Unused Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets
Every kitchen has at least three or four items that never get used. From bottle openers that don’t work to garlic presses that you never use and duplicate utensils.
How many spatulas do you need? In most cases, you have one utensil that you use regularly and the duplicates just collect dust. It’s time to send the unwanted utensils and gadgets to the charity shop.
11. Mismatched Storage Containers
Tupperware containers are a great storage solution for many food items. But mismatched containers and lids that don’t seem to fit any pots, need to be discarded.
Think how much better it will be when you open that cupboard and nothing falls out at you. It’s time to go through your storage container collection and only keep the items that actually still work.
12. Books You Never Look At
We all have a few books that we reread over and over. But the rest, they’re just collecting dust and making your home look untidy.
Any books that you haven’t looked at in two years or more should be discarded. You can donate them to a charity shop, sell them online or just give them away.
13. Suitcases & Travel Bags
We all need a suitcase and maybe the odd travel bag, but when you build up a collection, it’s time to have a clear out. Check through your travel bags and suitcases and throw any that are damaged.
From tears and splits to missing wheels or broken zips, those damaged bags need to go. Any that aren’t damaged but are surplus to requirement should be donated to a charity shop.
14. Out Of Date Cosmetics
Makeup, sunscreen, insect spray, body lotions and other self care items all have an expiry date. That expiry date can range from anywhere between a year to three years if unopened and stored in a cool dry place.
Opened products tend to only last for a few months so any that have been opened longer than that, need to be thrown out.
15. Owner’s Manuals & Instruction Books
The handbook on that TV you threw away five years ago, the manual on the video recorder from twenty years ago, these should be thrown away. Plus even your up to date appliances have accessible instructions available online.
Which means in most cases it’s not worth keeping hold of any user manuals or owners manuals. Let’s face it, most of the time you can’t find them when you need them anyway!
Extra Items That Should Be Gone
That was our 15 items that professional organisers say you should throw away to keep your home clutter free. If you found them interesting, here are a few more. They include;
16. Knick Knacks & Ornaments
Do you really want to spend all your time dusting? Of course you don’t. So why hold onto all of those unnecessary ornaments and knick knacks?
The less ornaments you have the less dust you collect and the less cluttered your home will be.
17.Broken Pens
How many times have you reached for a pen only to find that it doesn’t work? You probably didn’t throw it away, but simply reached for another one that does work.
Which means you could be harbouring a whole collection of pens that stopped working before the old queen died! It’s time to go through your pen collection and discard any that don’t work.
Don’t forget about dried out marker pens and pencils that break every time you use them as well.
18 Souvenirs
We all like to remember events or trips we have taken in the past. But holding onto concert tickets, maps of areas you’re never likely to go to again or outdated road maps just adds to clutter.
If you want to remember these special clutter items, you could always take a photo of them as a keepsake.
19. Unused Hobby Equipment
We all go through different phases in our lives which often includes starting a new hobby. The problem is we typically get fed up or finish the project and have all of the equipment gathering dust.
From paint and artist supplies to tools, camping gear and diving equipment. If you stop doing the hobby, don’t hold onto the equipment. You can either donate it to a charity shop, sell it online or simply throw it away.
20. Out Of Date Tech
Since you first acquired them, the video recorder and boom box have been replaced with more state of the art technology. Likewise CDs and cassette tapes.
Some charity shops still take these outdated items. If not, you’ll need to take a trip to the tip.
21. Broken Items That You’re Getting Round To
We all have a pile of damaged or broken items that we’re going to fix someday. Unfortunately, someday never comes and all we’re left with is a pile of junk.
It’s time to throw those broken items away and free up some much needed space.
22. Unused Keep Fit Items
This could fall into the unwanted hobby equipment category, but it’s worth its own mention. Remember that set of weights or treadmill you bought and used regularly for around three months back in the early 2000s?
Or what about that green smoothie maker that you never use? It’s time to finally realise that you’re never going to use those items again. You should donate them to a charity shop who could find someone who will make use of them.
23. Random Pieces Of Wrapping Paper
We’re not talking about full sheets of wrapping paper here, just the cut offs that were left over. You’re never going to find a present exactly the right size for those random pieces of paper.
It’s time to throw them away, along with any crushed bows and faded gift bags and tags.
24. Impulse Bought Gadgets
We’ve all done it, bought a gadget because it looked too good to be true on the commercial. Well, it turns out it was too good to be true which is why you never use it.
From smoothie makers to electric steamers, crockpots to bread makers, if you don’t use them, it’s time to get rid of them. Those items are taking up valuable storage space in your home and need to be gone!
25. Fridge Magnets
It might have seemed like a good idea to buy a fridge magnet to remind you of that weekend away. But now that your fridge is absolutely covered in the things, it doesn’t seem like such a good plan.
Keep a few of the better ones, but the rest should be removed and discarded. You can always take a photo of them if you’re feeling sentimental about them.
Ready To Reclaim Your Space?
Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it just takes a little honesty, a bit of time, and the willingness to let go. By clearing out the unnecessary and the unused, you’re not just tidying up your space, you’re creating room for the things that truly matter.
So, grab a bin bag, start small, and work your way through the list. You’ll be amazed at how freeing it feels to let go. Start today, and give yourself the clean, calm and clutter free home you deserve.
If you found this article helpful, share it with your socials to let others know how to free their homes from clutter.
SEE ALSO: 11 Simple Cleaning Habits Tired Women Rely On for a Clean Home (without exhaustion)
Frequently Asked Questions
A good rule of thumb is, if it’s broken, damaged, expired, or unsafe, throw it away. If it’s in good condition and still useful to someone else, donate or sell it.
Start with one category or one small area, like a kitchen drawer, a bathroom cabinet, or your old shoes. Quick wins build momentum and make the process less daunting.
Clutter can cause stress, reduce focus, and even affect your mood. A clean, organised space promotes calm, productivity, and a clearer mind.
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