Right now is a great time of the year to walk around your home with a trash bag and a donation bag, and just go to town. The new year energy is fresh, and strong, and sometimes just powering through an hour long declutter session can make a world of difference.
75 Items to Throw Away Right Now
- Any Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Chanukah decor that you didn’t use this year and / or know that you won’t use next year
- Any random ingredients that are left over from this years holiday meal planning that you know you don’t plan to incorporate anytime soon
- Halloween costumes that got torn or damaged beyond re pair, that can’t even be recycled to the dress up box
- Kids artwork that you have displayed, holidays are over, time to start fresh
- Holiday cards on the fridge, love receiving them, but it’s time to take them down
- Any broken toys
- Toys that haven’t been played with since before Halloween
- Markers that have dried out, broken crayons, paint brushes that are crusted over
- Games or puzzles with missing pieces
- Used up coloring / activity books / empty sticker books
- Play-Doh that has dried out
- Gifts that you received that you do not want in your home, it’s OK to donate it
- Any baby / toddler / or kid item that your youngest has outgrown
- Any plants that didn’t make it into 2024, I know I’m composting a few
- Break down and recycle any residual boxes from all of your online ordering this season, so much online shopping
- Anything pet related that no longer works, like treats, broken toys, expired medication, grooming products
- Sheets and towels that never get used, two sets per bed / per person is more than enough.
- Worn out bed pillows, you know, the ones shoved in the linen closet
- Comforters that are no longer used
- Thin out your cleaning rag collection
- Cleaning supplies you don’t use
- Used up candles or candles you no longer burn because you actually don’t like the scent
- Home decor items you no longer like: throw blankets, decorative pillows, framed photos, and yes, even artwork
- In your coat closet, any excess hangers / wire hangers
- Coats people not longer want / need / don’t fit
- Shoes people not longer want / need / have outgrown
- Any random papers laying around, finally get around to shredding or filing them
- Magazines nobody has read, but are still lying around for whatever reason
- Pens & pencils in the junk drawer – decide on a number
- Speaking of the junk drawer, toss anything that is actual trash away
- Excess pads of paper
- Old stationary you no longer like
- Gift cards & coupons – check balances or expiration dates
- Business cards – your old ones or others’
- Books you won’t read a 2nd time and DVD’s you don’t want — sell them!
- Excess USB drives (delete contents first)
- In your pantry, any old food that you’re definitely not going to use
- Food you can donate (still good)
- Single use utensils / plates you don’t use
- Organizing items you no longer utilize, like those rectangular plastic bins
- How many reusable bags do you have vs. how many do you actually need?
- Fridge clean-out – take everything out, toss expired food, wipe all shelves
- Freezer inventory, what needs to get used, what are you definitely not coming back to?
- Excess cooking tools
- Excess glassware
- Any sauce packets that for whatever reason in your fridge
- Small appliances you never use anymore
- Excess serving platters / hosting items — notice what you didn’t use this year, or last year for the holidays.
- Dishes you never use
- Dish towels that are old & dirty
- Excess pots & pans you constantly pass on using
- Fridge magnets you don’t care about
- Any food containers that don’t have a matching lid
- Handle any paper clutter, file, shred, or throw it away
- Create a home for loose change
- Anything under the beds
- Go through all clothes in dressers
- Declutter your bedside table, 3 item rule (lamp, alarm clock, one book)
- Clothes you no longer wear or don’t fit
- Excess hats
- Old undergarments & socks
- Handbags you don’t use
- Shoes you never wear
- Excess scarves
- Broken or old sunglasses
- Sentimental items you no longer want
- Broken or old jewelry
- Old / expired makeup & brushes
- Old / expired sunscreen
- Old / expired medication
- Excess hair brushes & tools
- Worn out hair ties or bobby pins
- Beauty products you don’t use or like
- Dried out / separated nail polish
- Beauty / travel samples you haven’t used
10 Week Home Organizational Challenge
And lastly, join me for a 10 Week Home Organizational Challenge. We’ll spend 1 week on a different area / zone of the home, to really get in there for a solid declutter and organization session:
- Week #01 Bathrooms & Laundry Room
- Week #02 Coat Closet & Entryway
- Week #03 Kitchen & Dining Room
- Week #04 Primary Bedroom
- Week #05 Kids Bedrooms
- Week #06 Closets….
- Week #07 Family Room
- Week #08 Playroom
- Week #09 Office & Paperwork
- Week #10 Garage
Good luck friends, and happy decluttering!