130+ Things You Can Throw Away Right Now

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We all have “stuff” that keeps accumulating, don’t we?  I know it can be hard, and even overwhelming, to de-clutter but YOU CAN DO IT! De-cluttering takes time and patience, and it is not a race.  Just because your friend or a blogger you follow is able to donate several large trash bags worth of items after just one weekend doesn’t mean you have to.

I have assembled a list of items we likely all have in our homes, but probably don’t need.  Take some time and go through each section on the list and see what you can throw away or donate.

 

Paper Products and Stationary

1. Old receipts (save important ones like for electronics or anything else with a warranty)
2. Bills that have been paid (sign up for e-bills to save paper!)
3. Pens that have gone dry
4. Markers that have gone dry
5. Pencils that are chewed, broken or too short to write with
6. Old shopping lists that have been sitting in your grocery bags for too long
7. Magazines you no longer read (the students at my youth group are currently working on this project using magazines)
8. Newspapers
9. Manuals for electronics or appliances you no longer have
10. Old school projects, assignments, or report cards
11. Old greeting cards
12. Take out menus (everything is online now)
13. Old calendars
14. Empty shoe boxes
15. Electronic boxes (check your warranty info to see if the original box is required for service)
16. Wedding invitations from the past
17. Dried up liquid corrector
18. Dried or ‘too small to use’ erasers
19. Broken rubber bands
20. Extra scissors
21. Staple remover tool (unless you use it often)
22. Old catalogs
23. Old textbooks
24. Reference materials that are outdated
25. Expired coupons (I hear that American Military families may be able to still use expired coupons but I can’t verify that)
26. Diaries and journals from years ago (I admit, I have a hard time getting rid of mine!)
27. Old letters and notes
28. Children’s art work (I suggest taking a photo of the special pieces and putting all the photos in an album)
29. Old day planners (save the previous year’s if you want, but that’s it)
30. Binders that are ripped, stained, or not needed

Entertainment

1. Board games with missing pieces (try putting these for free on your local buy and sell groups)
2. Board games you never play
3. Books you no longer read (donate to library or homeless shelter)
4. DVDs no longer watched or loved (again, donate!)
5. CDs no longer listened to
6. Video games and systems no longer used (you could try selling these online)
7. Puzzles
8. Multiple pairs of head phones
9. Laptop bags or cases you never use
10. Mouse pads if you don’t own a desk top computer
11. Multiple packs of playing cards
12. Kids toys that are no longer used
13. Toys from your childhood that are not sentimental (I have only saved my Barbie dolls and accessories, Beanie Babies, and a few stuffed toys)

Electronics

1. Multiple cell phone chargers (keep an extra just in case)
2. Cell phone covers or cases that aren’t being used
3. USB cables for devices you no longer own
4. Any cords or cables that are damaged
5. Tablet or phone accessories you do not use
6. Outdated audios like cassettes or records unless you have a way to listen to them
7. Outdated devices, like a tape deck, unless you use it frequently
8. Outdated software (do you really need to keep that old MS Office 2000 disk?)
9. Floppy disks (I’m sure nobody under the age of 20 even knows what that is)
10. USB sticks/thumb drives that are broken or unused (do you really need that many?  If you want a lot of memory space invest in a good quality external hard drive instead)
11. Broken cameras or camcorders (either have them repaired or get rid of them)

Fabric Items

1. Ratty stuffed toys
2. Blankets you don’t use (check with animal shelters in your area; they often need bedding material)
3. Stretched or thin bed sheets (see above)
4. Facecloths and towels that have seen better days
5. Clothing that is stained or full of holes
6. Dish cloths that are stained or ripped
7. Scraps of fabric you will never use (try making a rag wreath!)
8. Winter gear you no longer use
9. Miscellaneous ribbons or string
10. Throw pillows you don’t like or use
11. Shoes and boots that have seen better days
12. Stained bed pillows
13. Rugs that are too much of a hassle to clean
14. Extra reusable bags (keep enough for a large shopping trip and donate the rest)
15. Backpacks and purses that are unused or damaged
16. Tablecloths, place mats and cloth napkins you won’t use (although I highly recommend cloth napkins over paper!)
17. Extra buttons, unless they are for a specific piece of clothing with unique buttons
18. Old prom or bridesmaids dresses (I hung onto my prom dress for about 5 years before realizing I will NEVER wear it again)
19. Undergarments that have seen better days
20. Stockings with runs (does anyone even wear stockings anymore?)

Kitchen Supplies

1. Dishes that are broken or unused
2. Multiple travel mugs
3. Containers without lids or vice versa
4. Serving dishes you don’t love or use
5. Random cookie cutters
6. Duplicate specialty utensils like whisk or potato mashers
7. Duplicate measuring cups and spoons
8. Stained or bent utensils
9. Canned and boxed goods that have expired (throw them away!!)
10. Lunch bags that are not used
11. Plastic reusable water bottles (glass or metal are so much safer)
12. Cutting boards that are cracked, frayed (ew, plastic) or smelly

Home Decor

1. Candles that you won’t use
2. Multiple sets of coasters
3. Extra wall clocks
4. Decorative items, such as figurines, that you don’t love
5. Picture frames you won’t use
6. Artwork you don’t love
7. Extra lamps (unless the room has no overhead light you really only need one or two per room)
8. Mirrors that will never be hung
9. Broken or frayed Christmas lights
10. Holiday decor you don’t love or use
11. Vases you don’t use

Health and Beauty

1. Expired or unloved cosmetics
2. Razors you don’t use
3. Soap or body wash that doesn’t get used (if it’s unused try donating it to a homeless shelter)
4. Hair styling products that are old or dried up
5. Duplicate curling irons, blow dryers, straighteners, etc
6. Old pairs of glasses (save one pair as a spare, and get rid of the rest)
7. Old loofahs and body sponges (they are cheap, buy a new one!!)
8. Dirty or broken brushes and combs (try washing it with shampoo and rinsing well, or just buy a new one from the dollar store)
9. Broken hand mirrors (check with your local waste department for proper disposal)
10. Perfume or cologne you don’t like or use
11. Expired prescription drugs (consult your pharmacy for proper disposal)
12. Other medicines that have expired (cough syrup, pain relief, allergy meds, etc)
13. Toothbrushes that have seen better days (we always replace ours every 3 months)
14. Multiple nail clippers
15. Multiple tweezers (one is sufficient)
16. Jewelry that you don’t wear
17. Broken jewelry
18. Hotel toiletries (use them right away or get rid of them)
19. Old nail files
20. Pregnancy or ovulation tests that have expired (or if you are already pregnant)
21. Expired sunblock

Random Items

1. Keys who’s purpose is unknown
2. Dead batteries (check with your local waste department for proper disposal)
3. Old paint unless you are saving it for touch ups
4. Paint chips for colours you never intend to use
5. Allen keys and cheap wrenches that came with furniture
6. Smelly or damaged pet toys
7. Buckets and pails that are kept “just in case” (if you haven’t used it in over a year, get rid of it)
8. Rusted or damaged gardening tools
9. Plant pots that are broken or will not be used
10. Patio furniture that is not used or has seen better days (put it for free on Facebook)
11. Anything an ex boyfriend gave you (why do you need it?!)
12. Trophies and awards from your childhood (if you are not proud to display it, get rid of it)
13. Welcome mats that have seen better days
14. Broken clothespins
15. Power tools that have not been used in a few years
16. Duplicate hand tools, like hammers (do you need more than two?)
17. Things you’re saving for crafts (either make those crafts or get rid of the supplies)
18. Extra or cheap hangers
19. Points or loyalty cards you never use
20. Wrinkled or ripped tissue paper and gift bags
21. Gift cards you won’t use (re-gift them!)
22. Empty bottles of cleaning products

Phew!  That’s over 130 items you  can get rid of TODAY!

Personally, I try to reduce the amount of waste my house contributes to landfills by either donating, composting, selling, or burning materials.  For example, anything that is in good shape like patio furniture or clothing would be donated or sold online for extra money.  Paper materials can be recycled but we prefer to burn them in our wood stove (for confidentiality) or tear them into small pieces for compost.  Some items CAN NOT be thrown away with regular trash, such as electronics, paint cans and batteries so we take those to our hazardous waste depot.

I hope this list helps you de-clutter your home, which will in turn can make you feel more relaxed and love your home even more!