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Most homes have a junk drawer, the place where small, random items end up when there’s nowhere else to put them. Over time, though, that one drawer can quietly fill with things that don’t belong there, rarely get used, or create more clutter than convenience.

If your junk drawer is hard to open, hard to sort through, or full of items you’ve forgotten about, it may be time to clear it out. Here are 12 things you’re probably storing in your junk drawer that would be better kept somewhere else or let go altogether.

messy junk drawer in kitchen — image Credit; Deposit Photos

Old Batteries

Loose batteries can leak or corrode over time, potentially damaging other items in the drawer. Store batteries in their original packaging or a proper container, or recycle them if they’re no longer usable.

Coins

Loose change tends to gather in junk drawers without purpose. When the pile grows, it’s better to move coins into a jar or use them toward a purchase instead of letting them collect dust.

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Broken Items

Broken items often stay in junk drawers because of good intentions to fix them “someday.” If that hasn’t happened yet, it probably won’t. Removing them helps clear mental and physical clutter.

Random Items You Don’t Use

If an item doesn’t serve a purpose and hasn’t been used in a long time, the junk drawer isn’t the right place for it. Either find it a proper home or let it go to keep the drawer functional.

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Keys Without a Home

If there are loose keys sitting in your junk drawer and you can’t remember where they go, that’s a sign they no longer need to be there. Keeping mystery keys only adds confusion and takes up space. If you can’t identify them, it’s time to let them go.

Scraps of Paper

Random scraps of paper tend to pile up quickly and rarely get reused. Old notes, torn pages, or half-written reminders usually lose their meaning fast. If you like keeping paper on hand, one small notepad is plenty.

Pens

Junk drawers are notorious for holding pens that don’t work. Dried-out ink, broken clips, and colors you never use all add unnecessary clutter. Keep just a few pens that actually work and discard the rest.

Coupons

Coupons often end up forgotten in junk drawers until they expire. If you aren’t actively using them, they’re just taking up space. Toss expired coupons and keep only the ones you plan to use soon in a more visible spot.

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Rubber Bands

Having a few rubber bands can be useful, but junk drawers tend to collect far more than necessary. They tangle easily, making it harder to find other items. Keep a small handful and discard the extras.

Miscellaneous Screws

Loose screws don’t belong in a junk drawer. Not only are they hard to keep organized there, but they’re also unlikely to be useful without the rest of their hardware. Store them in a toolbox or recycle them properly.

Condiment Packets

Condiment packets are easy to stash and forget. Instead of hiding them in a drawer, store them near your regular condiments, so they’re more likely to get used. Otherwise, consider tossing them.

Takeout Menus

With most menus available online, paper takeout menus are rarely needed. If you haven’t used one in years, it’s safe to remove them and free up space.