If your home always seems cluttered, buying more bins and storage containers may not solve the problem. Sometimes, the best way to make a room feel less crowded is to get rid of things you no longer use.
Professional organizers often encourage people to start with everyday items that have been sitting around for months or even years. Here are eight things worth clearing out if you’re ready to make more room in your home.
Wire Hangers
Wire hangers may come free from the dry cleaner, but they can make a closet look messy in no time. They bend, tangle together, and can leave dents or marks on certain clothes, so replacing them with sturdier hangers can make a noticeable difference.
Related: 9 Things That Disappear Within Minutes at Goodwill
Expired Makeup and Toiletries
Bathroom drawers often become storage spots for old mascara, dried-up lotions, expired sunscreen, and skincare products nobody remembers buying. Check the dates and condition of these items, then toss anything that’s expired, has changed in smell or texture, or is no longer safe to use.
Related: 5 Things You Should Think Twice About Googling
Broken Electronics
Old phones, dead tablets, damaged headphones, and chargers for devices you no longer own tend to pile up in drawers. If you haven’t repaired or used them in years, take them to an electronics recycling location instead of letting them take up space indefinitely.
Related: 15 Things to Never Buy From BJ’s Wholesale Club
Clothes That No Longer Fit
Many people hold onto clothes, hoping they’ll fit again someday. If certain pieces have been sitting untouched for years, consider donating or selling them and keeping the clothes that suit your current needs.
Related: 12 Things Hiding in Your Kitchen That Belong in the Trash
Expired Food
Forgotten leftovers, old condiments, and pantry products past their expiration dates can take up more space than you realize. Check the refrigerator and cupboards regularly, discard anything spoiled or no longer safe to eat, and make room for food your household will actually use.
Damaged Plastic Food Containers
Cracked containers, stained plastic tubs, and lids without matching bottoms can quickly take over kitchen cabinets. Keep clean, undamaged pieces, and recycle or discard damaged ones according to local guidelines.
Empty Electronics Boxes
The boxes from televisions, laptops, phones, and other gadgets can be hard to part with because people think they might need them someday. Once the return period has passed and you don’t plan to sell or move the item, keeping the empty packaging usually isn’t worth the storage space.
Junk Mail and Old Paperwork
Mail, outdated receipts, instruction manuals, and papers you no longer need can easily take over kitchen counters and desk drawers. Recycle unwanted mail, shred documents containing personal information, and keep only paperwork you may need for taxes, warranties, finances, or other records.
