This post may contain affiliate links.
It’s a familiar scenario: you’ve accumulated a collection of items, whether from purchases or gifts, with the intention of using them ‘someday.’ In reality, that ‘someday’ rarely arrives, leaving these unused items to claim valuable space in your home – and sometimes your budget – with little to no benefit in return.
If this sounds all too familiar, it’s time to address the situation and reclaim your space. Recognizing and parting ways with these items is crucial for maintaining a clean, safe, and well-organized home.
Here are 12 useless items that clutter your home and practically serve no purpose.
Old Cell Phones
Holding onto old cell phones doesn’t usually serve a practical purpose, especially if they’re outdated and just cluttering up your space. Chances are, you won’t be powering them up again so consider locating a store or recycling center that accepts cell phones and take the step to dispose of them today.
Damaged Appliances
If you have broken appliances or ones you no longer use, it’s a good idea to part ways with them. You can donate or dispose of appliances that can’t be repaired or have lost their usefulness. This will free up space in your kitchen, giving you more room to work and opening up extra countertop or cabinet space.
Kitchen Appliance Checklist: 19 Essentials
Old Power Cords
Technology is evolving so rapidly these days, so it’s a good idea to consider parting with that cord you’re still holding onto from your last cell phone or laptop. In most cases, those older power cords are incompatible with newer devices, making them unnecessary clutter.
Memorabilia
Many of us tend to hold onto memorabilia that carries sentimental value, whether old greeting cards or receipts from a foreign train pass. Over time, these items can accumulate and occupy valuable space in our homes. It’s a good idea to set aside some time to review your memorabilia collection. Keep deeply significant items and consider recycling or discarding the rest to declutter your living space.
Expired Medicine
Expired drugs, medications, or vitamins could potentially pose risks to your health if consumed. Consider taking a moment to go through your medicine cabinet and gather any expired pills, antacids, laxatives, or cold medicines you may have accumulated, ensuring they are properly disposed of.
Damaged Clothing
Check your clothing for signs of permanent damage, like rips, tears, stubborn stains, or smells. Unless they hold personal meaning, it’s better to part with them and focus on maintaining clothes in good shape.
12 Ways to Get Smells Out of Clothes
Clothes That No Longer Fit
Many of us have clothes in our closets that no longer fit or suit us. It is unlikely that you will make it to the seamstress to alter it or find the time to wear it after all these years. You can donate or sell them to make space for clothes that make you look and feel your best.
Free Stuff
It’s time to consider parting with the free tote bags and t-shirts you received from a giveaway or for being a loyal customer. Unless you’re actively using them, these items are occupying precious space.
Expired Skincare Products
Review your makeup bag and skincare collection for products that have expired. Using cosmetics past their expiration dates can lead to skin irritation or skin infections. It’s a good idea to eliminate items that have gone bad and replace them with new ones.
Gym Membership
Gym owners often rely on the fact that a percentage of their paying members will never actually step foot in the gym. If you’re one of the many who haven’t used your gym membership, it might be a wise move to consider canceling it and saving a substantial amount of money in the process.
Hotel Samples
It’s likely that those product samples, such as shampoo, conditioner, perfume, and skincare items you’ve collected from hotels or giveaways, will go unused. Often, they’re just cluttering up space. Consider sorting through your stash to free up room for the full-size products you use.
Boxes
Once you’ve completed your move or unpacked your delivered items, you’re often left with empty cardboard boxes that can quickly clutter your space. It’s a practical decision to let go of these cardboard boxes, as the chances of needing them again in the near future are quite slim.
15 Tips on How to Declutter Your Home
Although clutter can accumulate quickly and easily between you and your life, decluttering can spark immense joy and accomplishment. Here are 15 tips to help you tackle the task of decluttering your home.
15 Tips to Help You Declutter Your Home
12 Surprising Items in Your Kitchen that Need to Hit the Trash Immediately
The kitchen holds a special place in our homes, serving as a hub for cooking, meals, and gatherings. However, even though it’s the center of our daily lives, it’s easy for clutter, disarray, and items that have outstayed their welcome to accumulate in this space. Check out the 12 items in your kitchen that should be thrown away immediately.
12 Surprising Items in Your Kitchen that Need to Hit the Trash Immediately
Don’t Trash Those Old Books. Here’s 10 Responsible Ways to Get Rid of Them
Books have the power to transport us, stimulate our minds, and offer meaningful insights. While books hold value and significance in our lives, for many book lovers, letting go of cherished books can be a sentimental journey. If you’re a book lover facing a stack of books to part with, there’s an environmentally responsible way to handle it. Here are ten responsible and eco-friendly ways to recycle and repurpose your old reading materials, giving new life to the pages and minimizing paper waste.
Don’t Trash Those Old Books. Here’s 10 Responsible Ways to Get Rid of Them
Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
