Your kitchen should be functional, organized, and clutter-free, but if you struggle to find counter space or rummage through drawers to locate a single utensil, it’s time for a kitchen declutter session. Professional organizers know that a streamlined kitchen improves efficiency, reduces stress, and makes cooking more enjoyable.
If you’re holding onto unnecessary, outdated, or duplicate items, it’s time to let them go! Here are 12 things a professional organizer would toss immediately—plus better alternatives to keep your kitchen organized and efficient.
1. Expired Spices and Condiments
Most people have a spice rack filled with ancient bottles they never check. While dried spices don’t necessarily “go bad,” they lose potency after 1–3 years, making your dishes taste bland. Similarly, expired condiments take up valuable fridge space and often go unnoticed.
What to do instead:
Go through your spice rack and smell or taste test each spice. Toss anything that’s lost its aroma or flavor. Keep frequently used spices in airtight containers and store them in a cool, dark place to prolong freshness. For condiments, check expiration dates every few months and toss anything past its prime.
2. Plastic Containers Without Lids
Mismatched plastic containers clutter cabinets and make food storage frustrating. If you’re constantly searching for the right lid, it’s time to declutter your collection.
What to do instead:
Match each container with a lid and discard any that don’t have a match. Consider switching to glass containers for durability and easier stacking. Use a storage system like drawer dividers or stacking bins to keep lids organized.
3. Duplicate Kitchen Tools
Do you really need four spatulas, three cheese graters, and six wooden spoons? Many kitchens are filled with duplicates that take up unnecessary space.
What to do instead:
Keep only the best-quality versions of essential tools. If you have duplicates, donate the extras or store rarely used items in a separate drawer. A well-organized utensil holder with only the essentials will make cooking much easier.
4. Specialty Appliances You Never Use
That bread maker, panini press, or ice cream machine might have seemed like a great purchase, but if it’s been gathering dust for years, it’s just taking up space.
What to do instead:
If you haven’t used an appliance in over a year, sell or donate it. Consider multi-purpose appliances like an Instant Pot, air fryer, or food processor, which save space and serve multiple functions.
5. Old, Chipped, or Stained Dishware
Cracked, chipped, or stained dishes don’t just look bad—they can also harbor bacteria. If you have plates, bowls, or mugs that you avoid using, it’s time to part ways.
What to do instead:
Donate or toss any dishware that’s damaged or stained. Invest in a matching set of everyday dishes that you actually enjoy using. If sentimental dishware is hard to part with, limit it to a few meaningful pieces rather than cluttering your cabinets.
6. Unused Water Bottles and Travel Mugs
Water bottles and travel mugs seem to multiply overnight, especially if you get them as promotional freebies. If you have a cabinet overflowing with them, it’s time to pare down.
What to do instead:
Keep only one or two reusable water bottles per person in your household. Donate or recycle extras, and use a storage system like a bottle rack or drawer organizer to keep the ones you do use easily accessible.
7. Takeout Utensils, Condiment Packets, and Napkins
That drawer full of ketchup packets, plastic forks, and soy sauce containers is more clutter than convenience. Most people never use these, and they take up valuable storage space.
What to do instead:
Go through the stash and toss or recycle any items you won’t realistically use. Keep only a small supply of takeout utensils in a labeled container and get rid of the rest. Opt for reusable utensils and condiments instead of accumulating disposables.
8. Worn-Out Dish Towels and Sponges
Old dish towels that are stained, fraying, or have holes aren’t doing your kitchen any favors. Similarly, sponges that smell bad or fall apart can harbor bacteria.
What to do instead:
Toss old dish towels and replace them with fresh, absorbent ones. Stick to a rotation system so towels get washed frequently. Replace kitchen sponges every two weeks or switch to silicone scrubbers or washable dishcloths that last longer.
9. Extra Coffee Mugs
It’s easy to accumulate coffee mugs, but if your cabinets are overflowing with them, it’s time to declutter. Keeping too many mugs takes up valuable space, especially if you only use a few favorites.
What to do instead:
Keep only the mugs you love and actually use. Donate or repurpose the extras. If you want variety, store seasonal mugs in a separate bin to rotate throughout the year.
10. Old Baking Ingredients
Baking soda, flour, and other pantry staples expire faster than you think. Over time, they lose freshness, develop stale flavors, or even attract pests.
What to do instead:
Check expiration dates every six months and discard any old spices or baking ingredients. Store frequently used items in airtight containers to keep them fresh longer.
11. Rusty or Damaged Cookware
Scratched nonstick pans, warped baking sheets, and rusty pots don’t cook evenly and can leach harmful materials into your food. If your cookware is in poor condition, it’s time for an upgrade.
What to do instead:
Replace damaged cookware with high-quality alternatives. Invest in stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookwarethat will last longer and perform better.
12. Clunky Knife Block with Dull Knives
A bulky knife block takes up counter space, and dull knives make cooking more difficult and dangerous. Instead of keeping a full set of mismatched knives, focus on quality over quantity.
What to do instead:
Keep only the essentials—a chef’s knife, serrated knife, and paring knife—and sharpen them regularly. If you prefer a minimalist approach, opt for a magnetic knife strip instead of a clunky block.
*This article was created with the help of AI.
