Clean, open, and organized spaces are vital for a comfortable and rejuvenating experience at home. As we go through our cabinets, drawers, or wardrobe looking for particular items of use, accumulated clutter of old, unnecessary things will make it quite a daunting task. We may even end up with a bigger mess adding to the annoyance and frustration.
To avoid such situations, it is better to go through our possessions to discard expired, outdated or unused ones. On that note, we have compiled a list of ten things you shouldn’t have in your home anymore. Here’s what you should get rid of right now:
Outgrown clothes and shoes
All of us have several clothing items and shoes in our wardrobes we have long outgrown. We accumulate them as we are not ready to let them go because of the sentimental, aesthetic, and monetary value they carry. It is natural to store clothes for a while in hopes of reusing them in one way or another, but if they are only taking space without being worn, it is time to take them out. As for shoes, you can no way fit into the now smaller size making it imperative to get rid of them.
Clothing and shoes are a popular medium for some side money and donations. You can sell these items for cash or donate them (or the money gained) to charitable organizations. For instance, companies that previously used asbestos in manufacturing have set up trust funds for past and present employees or consumers. You can make a valuable contribution to asbestos trust funds with money from unneeded items to aid mesothelioma patients.
Extra mugs
Mugs remain a popular and aesthetic choice for gifts. As a result, we often accumulate so many of them without realizing it. Moreover, most of us have one or two as our go-to mugs for coffee, tea, and other beverages, and we only stick to them.
Consequently, many remain shelved and unused, occupying a lot of space in our cabinets that could have been utilized to store something else. You can free up space by selling or donating the extra ones in your possession.
Old undergarments
Undergarments, especially underwear, should be discarded if they are more than a year old. Clinical experts suggest replacing undergarments every six to twelve months. This measure is necessary to prevent excessive bacteria from building up and causing urinary tract infections and skin irritation.
Moreover, since undergarments are regularly worn, washed, and dried, they tend to lose elasticity and may begin to appear dingy and torn. Consequently, they would be unable to provide the necessary support and seem worn out.
For these reasons, it is wise to replace them from time to time and to get immediately rid of those that are now ages old.
Socks, gloves, and other items that are missing a pair
Clothing items, such as socks, remain of no use to us after losing a pair. Often we still keep them stocked in hopes of finding the lost pair somewhere or another to wear again. However, we end up forgetting about it, and they are left occupying space in an already messy wardrobe. Therefore, it is better to take the remaining pairs out and get rid of them. At the end of the day, they are just socks and gloves!
Old, unused planners and notebooks
Another set of items that we unknowingly end up accumulating in plentiful amounts is planners and notebooks. Since most of our personal, educational and office-related work is predominantly digital now, their supply exceeds demand, and they occupy large chunks of space. The planners are especially less relevant if they date back to past years with differing calendars.
We are often unable to help ourselves from buying new ones with cool, aesthetic covers or letting go of the old ones for the same reasons. However, storing too many of them and losing out on space, as a result, is not worth it.
You can keep one or two of the small ones to doodle, note some information, and gift or donate the rest.
Outdated magazines and newspapers
Whenever you sit down to organize your bookshelf and drawers, do not forget to take out magazines and newspapers from the past months and years. Not only have you gone through them already, but they are also irrelevant. You are not likely to look through them again, so it is better to get them out to make space for new ones or any other items you wish to store instead.
Plastic bags
Most of us have a big pile of plastic bags at our homes from regular grocery store visits. We stuff them up in a drawer or cabinet, often not reusing them with the new ones piling up. Take them out, keep a few different sizes for different purposes, and discard the extra ones.
It would be even better to get rid of them completely and shift to tote bags. They are a more sustainable and manageable option.
Expired food items
Many items, such as spices and condiments, come with distant expiry dates, but it is always wise to check them regularly. Doing so will also allow you to clean and re-organize your shelves, cabinets, and fridge and make them more open and spacious. You can also label these jars with dates or take a note so that you can replace them in time.
Additionally, there are many products, such as a new sauce or a particular brand of mustard, that we do not like. We leave them in the fridge and, over time, forget about them. Be sure to give these to your friends and family if you do not intend to use them again.
Damaged dishes
Despite their sentimental and monetary value, dishes do not remain of use once they get chipped or cracked. Using damaged dishes will be hazardous for your health since bacteria can accumulate in these cracks. The damaged areas can also be dangerous for kids and may cut the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to get rid of them immediately.
Old makeup products
Makeup items also come with an expiration date. Most of them are encouraged to be discarded during a window of six to eighteen months. The number of leftover products and their monetary value might discourage you from disposing of them, but for the safety of your skin and health, you must do so.
Expired makeup is prone to bacterial and mold growth, resulting in clogged pores, breakouts, redness, and skin irritation. Different items have a different recommended duration of use, so carefully sort, discard and replace your makeup.
Conclusion
Numerous expired, old, or unused items are stocked up in different parts of our homes without us realizing it. They take up space where other items of use could have been stored and clutter our cabinets, shelves, and drawers. It is time to get rid of them for a healthier, organized, and spacious experience at home.
