Kitchen drawers tend to become catch-all spaces for random items that you rarely use, don’t need, or have forgotten about altogether. From broken utensils to expired condiments, these cluttered drawers can make cooking more stressful and organization nearly impossible.
If you’re constantly digging through junk to find what you actually need, it’s time to declutter and toss the unnecessary items.
Here are 12 things hiding in your kitchen drawers that should go straight to the trash, recycling, or donation bin!
1. Mismatched or Warped Plastic Containers
If you have a pile of plastic containers with missing lids or warped, stained, and cracked pieces, it’s time to declutter. These take up valuable space and make storing leftovers frustrating.
Toss It If:
- The container doesn’t have a matching lid.
- It’s stained or has a lingering odor.
- The plastic is warped or cracked, which can cause leaks.
What to do instead: Invest in glass storage containers or a matching plastic set with stackable lids for an organized and functional kitchen.
2. Takeout Utensils and Condiment Packets
If you have a drawer full of plastic forks, spoons, napkins, and old ketchup packets, ask yourself: When was the last time you actually used them? These freebies tend to pile up but rarely get used, creating unnecessary clutter.
Toss It If:
- The condiment packets are expired or leaking.
- You have way more utensils than you’ll ever need.
- The napkins are crumpled or discolored.
What to do instead: Keep a small stash of utensils for road trips, then say goodbye to the rest. Donate sealed, unused utensils to shelters or food banks.
3. Old Spices and Expired Seasonings
Spices don’t last forever! While they won’t necessarily make you sick, expired spices lose their potency and won’t add flavor to your meals. If you’ve had a jar of paprika since the early 2000s, it’s time to let it go.
Toss It If:
- It smells weak or musty instead of fragrant.
- The color has faded significantly.
- It’s been open for more than 3–4 years.
What to do instead: Write the purchase date on new spice jars and store them in a cool, dark place to extend their freshness.
4. Broken or Rusty Kitchen Tools
That peeling vegetable peeler, bent can opener, or dull knife isn’t doing you any favors. Broken tools make cooking harder and more frustrating, so why keep them?
Toss It If:
- The tool is rusty or corroded.
- It doesn’t work properly (a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one!).
- It’s been replaced but never thrown away.
What to do instead: Invest in high-quality, long-lasting kitchen tools and sharpen your knives regularly to keep them in top condition.
5. Worn-Out Dish Towels and Rags
Torn, stained, and smelly dish towels can spread bacteria instead of cleaning your kitchen. If they don’t absorb water well anymore, they’re just taking up space.
Toss It If:
- It has holes, frayed edges, or permanent stains.
- It has a musty odor even after washing.
- It feels rough and non-absorbent.
What to do instead: Keep a few high-quality towels and replace old ones with fresh, absorbent cotton towels every year.
6. Duplicate or Unused Kitchen Gadgets
Do you really need three bottle openers, five whisks, or that avocado slicer you never use? Many kitchens are filled with gadgets that sounded useful but ended up collecting dust.
Toss It If:
- You haven’t used it in over a year.
- It only serves one purpose and isn’t used often.
- You have duplicates of the same tool.
What to do instead: Keep multi-purpose tools like a good chef’s knife and measuring spoons. Donate extra gadgets to someone who will use them.
7. Old Water Bottles and Travel Mugs
If your kitchen drawer is overflowing with mismatched or leaky water bottles, it’s time to declutter. These take up a ton of space, especially if you only use a few favorites.
Toss It If:
- The lid is missing, cracked, or doesn’t seal properly.
- It leaks when tipped over.
- It has a funky smell that won’t go away.
What to do instead: Keep one or two quality water bottles per person and donate or recycle the rest.
8. Old Batteries and Random Cords
If your junk drawer is filled with dead batteries, tangled cords, and mystery chargers, it’s time to declutter and recycle.
Toss It If:
- You don’t know what it belongs to.
- It’s a frayed or broken charging cable.
- It’s a dead battery that hasn’t been disposed of properly.
What to do instead: Recycle old batteries and donate usable cords and chargers. Keep only the cables you actually use.
9. Stained and Warped Cutting Boards
Plastic cutting boards that are deeply scratched and stained can harbor bacteria. If yours smells bad even after washing, it’s time for an upgrade.
Toss It If:
- It has deep knife grooves where bacteria can hide.
- It’s warped and won’t sit flat.
- It has stains that won’t come out.
What to do instead: Switch to bamboo or wooden cutting boards, which last longer and can be resurfaced when worn.
10. Expired Packaged Foods
That bag of stale chips or expired granola bars is taking up valuable space.
Toss It If:
- It’s past the expiration date.
- It smells off or stale.
- The packaging is damaged or open.
What to do instead: Do a quick pantry clean-out every 3 months to prevent food waste.
11. Random Fast-Food Toys & Clutter
Kids’ meal toys, free promotional items, and random junk that gets shoved in drawers take up space without adding any real value.
Toss It If:
- It’s broken or missing pieces.
- No one plays with it anymore.
- It’s been in the drawer for months, untouched.
What to do instead: Donate gently used toys and toss the broken ones.
12. Extra Coffee Mugs
Too many coffee mugs? If your cabinet is overflowing, it’s time to let go of the ones you don’t use.
Toss It If:
- You always reach for the same mugs, leaving others untouched.
- It’s chipped, cracked, or faded.
- You have way more than you need.
What to do instead: Keep your favorites and donate or repurpose the rest.
*This article was created with the help of AI.