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10 Things in Your Garage You Just Need To Throw Away

If you’re like me, your garage is probably the catch-all for everything you’re not sure what to do with—old tools, extra stuff from the house, broken furniture, you name it.

But here’s the thing: keeping clutter in your garage can actually make your space feel more chaotic than it needs to. There are a lot of items in the garage that you don’t need anymore, and tossing them will not only free up valuable space but will help make your home more organized overall.
Let’s go through some of the top offenders that need to go!

1. Expired Paint Cans

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It’s easy to hang onto old paint cans—whether it’s from a room you painted years ago or a project you never finished. But did you know that expired paint is both a space-waster and an environmental hazard? Over time, paint can dry out, separate, or simply become unusable. Holding on to cans of paint you’re never going to use only clutters up your garage.

Instead of keeping them “just in case,” take a few minutes to sort through your stash. If the paint is still good, use it for touch-ups or smaller projects. If it’s expired or dried out, find a local recycling center that accepts paint or drop it off at a hardware store with a paint recycling program. This will keep your space cleaner and protect the environment!

2. Old Cleaning Supplies

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We all have a cupboard or shelf in the garage filled with half-used bottles of cleaner, old sponges, or scrub brushes that are no longer effective. I used to hold onto these items, thinking I might need them one day, but more often than not, I found that they were expired or no longer up to the task.

If the cleaning supplies are past their expiration date, have dried out, or just aren’t working anymore, toss them! If some bottles are still partially full but you no longer need them, consider donating them to local shelters, food banks, or even schools. They may be able to put them to good use. Just make sure to check that everything is sealed or safe to pass on.

3. Broken or Unused Tools

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It’s tempting to keep broken tools in the hopes of fixing them later or because “someday” you might need them. But let’s face it—if a tool is broken and you haven’t bothered to repair it in months (or years), it’s probably not worth keeping. Take a critical look at your garage and assess the condition of your tools.

Broken shovels, rusty hammers, and worn-out lawnmowers are just taking up space. If you can’t fix them or don’t use them, it’s time to part ways. Donate any gently used items to local charities, but if they’re beyond repair, responsibly recycle them at a local recycling facility that handles metals and other materials. Getting rid of these unused tools will make it easier to find the ones you do use.

4. Old Tires

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Whether it’s from your own car or an old bicycle, tires are one of those items that take up a surprising amount of space in the garage. Holding on to old tires that you have no intention of using is not only wasting space but also potentially harmful. Tires can deteriorate over time and pose a safety risk if left unattended. Many tire shops will accept old tires for proper disposal or recycling.

Recycling old tires is also a great way to reduce your environmental footprint—tire recycling centers can break them down and repurpose them for other products, such as playground mats or road surfaces. If the tires are still in decent condition and could be used, you can also donate them to local organizations or schools that might need them for their sports teams or community projects.

5. Outdated Furniture

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Old furniture that you no longer use or that’s too worn-out to be of any practical use is another common culprit in the garage. We tend to stash furniture that’s still “good enough” but doesn’t fit into our current living situation. Whether it’s an old dresser, chair, or coffee table, if it’s been sitting in your garage collecting dust for months (or years!), it’s time to let it go.

If the piece is still in good shape, donate it to local charities, thrift stores, or community centers. If it’s beyond repair, try recycling it or breaking it down for parts. Many cities offer large-item pick-up services that can help you dispose of furniture properly.

6. Empty Boxes

Woman writing list and organizing items in boxes while decluttering
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How many of us have a stack of empty boxes in the garage “just in case” we need them for a future move or storage? I used to keep every single box that came with an appliance, gadget, or online order, thinking I might need it someday. But after a few years, those boxes take up more space than they’re worth.

Most of the time, we never end up using them. If you haven’t needed them in the past year or two, it’s time to toss them. If they’re sturdy and still in good condition, consider breaking them down and recycling them. It’ll free up valuable space for more useful items, like storage bins or tools.

7. Old Paintbrushes and Rollers

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Paintbrushes and rollers that you’ve used for past projects tend to pile up in the garage. While they may still be usable if you clean them right away, old brushes that have dried paint or become caked with old coatings are just taking up unnecessary space.

If you’re planning a future paint job, it might make sense to keep a few brushes, but if they’re no longer in good condition, it’s time to dispose of them. Many local waste management services offer disposal for paint supplies, or you can look for recycling programs that accept these items for proper disposal.

8. Old Sporting Equipment

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Outgrown bikes, worn-out baseball bats, or broken tennis rackets are all things that can pile up in the garage and take up valuable real estate. If you have kids, you know how quickly sports gear can go from being brand new to barely usable.

The thing is, if they’re no longer in good condition, hanging onto them is just cluttering your space. Donate any gently used equipment to schools, sports teams, or local charities. If they’re beyond repair, look for recycling programs or donate them to creative reuse centers that can repurpose them.

9. Expired Car Fluids

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Used motor oil, windshield washer fluid, and other automotive fluids often end up in the garage after a DIY car repair project. The problem with keeping these fluids in your garage is that they can be hazardous to both you and the environment if not disposed of properly.

Many auto stores will accept used motor oil for recycling, and some even offer to take used coolant or other car fluids. Don’t just throw them away—take the extra step and bring them to a local facility where they can be properly handled.

10. Unwanted Garden Tools

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Garden tools can accumulate quickly, especially if you’re not regularly tending to your garden. Rusty rakes, broken pruners, and old watering cans tend to pile up in the corner of the garage.

If you’re not using them, why keep them? Donate any still-functional tools to local community gardens, schools, or nonprofits. If they’re no longer useful, consider recycling them or taking them to a metal recycling facility.