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We spoke with three professional home organizers to get their thoughts on the top items to throw out.
In addition to giving their advice, they explained why decluttering is so essential.
Woman wiping kitchen countertop with cloth
A tidy, clear space leads to a clear mind and less stress.
Courtney Cummings, founder ofThe Stylish Organizer, agrees.
Be realistic about what you wear and what makes you feel good.
Woman wiping kitchen countertop with cloth
Briana and Erica Spruille agree.
There are plenty of organizations and charities that accept gently used clothing for their clients, says Cummings.
Give back to your community and free yourself.
Woman wiping kitchen countertop with cloth
You have several options if your clothes are severely stained or ripped and are beyond repair.
Old paperwork and piles of papers can quickly take over your house, but they dont have to.
Piles of unopened mail are another common problem.
Cleaning glass window
Go through your mail each day and recycle what you dont need, Cummings suggests.
This helps prevent it from piling up and overwhelming you.
Sort through your kids school papers and only keep what is important for the moment, she recommends.
File your receipts away for tax purposes, as needed.
Shred anything that contains personally identifiable information and recycle everything else.
And, if youre recycling a pile of childrens art, do it subtly.
Spot treating carpet
Expired food and spices
When did you last check the expiration dates on the food in your pantry?
If the answer is never, you likely have some items taking up space that expired long ago.
Its easy to accumulate pantry staples over time, says Cummings.
However, I recommend you quickly scan your pantry for expired food and spices once a quarter.
Local organizations that feed the hungry would be very thankful for these unexpired nonperishable food items.
Itll save you heartache later.
Broken and unused kitchen items
Your kitchen drawers and cabinets can hide many secrets.
Or maybe you caved and bought that must-have gadget off social media before realizing youll never really use it.
These items in your kitchen are due for a declutter.
Take this time to replace chipped plates or cups to prevent accidental injuries during dinner.
Very specific gadgets like these take up precious space in your kitchen, she says.
Tackling these items will help declutter your kitchen so its more usable.
Time to refresh your containers?
This set from Rubbermaid is BPA-free and comes with 7 containers in assorted sizes with secure clip-safe lids.
Ideal for meal prepping.
Old chargers and electronics
Do you still have the charger for your early 2000s flip phone?
(Or even the phone itself?)
If you dont know what it charges, chances are you dont need it, says Cummings.
Technology is ever evolving, as are the cords and cables that power these devices.
And what are the odds you will ever use that brick-like laptop from college again?
Dont forget to wipe your data first!
Expert tips on how to declutter
Not sure where to start?
Our experts shared tips to help you declutter your home quickly and efficiently.
Here are their recommendations.
