When you’re no longer around, not everything in your house will hold the same value to others. Many items that might seem important to you could end up discarded or forgotten. Knowing what usually gets tossed can help you plan and simplify your belongings ahead of time.
This article highlights some of the common things in your home that typically go straight to the trash once you’re gone. By understanding this, you can better decide what to keep, donate, or let go of now.
Expired food in the fridge
When you’re gone, any expired food in your fridge is almost guaranteed to be tossed. Things like old cheese, fruit, or leftovers that have passed their prime don’t usually last.
It’s normal because expired food can go bad quickly and might cause unpleasant smells or mold. If you want to avoid waste, try buying smaller amounts you can actually eat before the expiration date. Otherwise, expect that old snacks and leftovers will end up in the trash.
Old takeout menus
You probably have a stack of old takeout menus tucked away somewhere. They take up space and rarely get used since you can just order online now.
Keeping them isn’t really necessary, so tossing them before you go makes sense. If you want to remember your favorite spots, save a digital copy instead.
Worn-out socks with holes
You probably have socks with holes that you keep around just in case. The truth is, once they’re holey, they’re not really useful anymore.
If you want, you can repurpose them as cleaning rags before tossing them. Otherwise, worn-out socks are perfect candidates for the trash when you’re clearing out.
Holding onto holey socks just adds clutter. Don’t stress—getting rid of them is totally okay.
Junk mail and flyers
You probably get loads of junk mail and flyers every week. Most of it ends up in the trash because it’s usually just clutter.
If you want to keep a few coupons or flyers, try organizing them by expiration date in a folder. Otherwise, it’s easier to toss them right away.
To cut down on junk mail, you can contact senders and ask to be removed from their mailing lists. This helps reduce the pile over time.
Broken remote controls
You probably have a few broken remotes lying around. When they’re truly busted, they usually get tossed.
Instead of throwing them in the trash, consider donating working remotes to local charity shops. Some people can still use them.
If you want to keep a spare, fixing small issues like stuck buttons can make a remote last longer. But once it’s beyond repair, it’s okay to let it go.
Empty shampoo bottles
When you move out or pass on, those almost empty shampoo bottles usually end up in the trash. You might not think twice about tossing them since they seem useless.
But sometimes, you can get creative—like using leftover shampoo to clean toilets or other spots around the house. Still, most people don’t hold onto these, and they’re often tossed away with the rest of your stuff.
Torn or stained clothes
If your clothes have holes, stains, or are faded beyond repair, they typically won’t be reused. At that point, they usually end up in the trash.
You might feel bad tossing them, but worn-out clothes break down faster in landfills than many other materials. If you want, check for local textile recycling options before throwing them out. Otherwise, it’s fine to let them go.
Old newspapers and magazines
You probably have stacks of old newspapers and magazines lying around. When you’re gone, these are unlikely to be saved unless they hold special meaning.
They don’t really have much use for most people, and they tend to be recycled or thrown out. You might want to recycle them now, or pass them on if they’re still in good shape.
Otherwise, expect these to head straight to the trash or recycling bin when no one wants to keep them.
Dried-up pens and markers
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You probably have a bunch of pens and markers lying around that just don’t work anymore. They dry out and can’t be revived, so holding onto them doesn’t really make sense.
Instead of keeping them, toss them in the trash or see if your local recycling program accepts them. Some brands even offer programs to send back used pens for recycling, so it’s worth checking.
Used tissues and napkins
You likely won’t be keeping used tissues or napkins around once you’re gone. They’re usually soiled and have no real value for anyone else.
If you leave them out, they’ll just get tossed. Most people just throw them straight in the trash without a second thought.
Sometimes people try to be neat by bagging them up, but usually, they just end up in the garbage like any other disposable item.
Empty candle jars
When your candle burns out, it’s easy to toss the jar without a second thought. But you might want to hold on to them a bit longer.
Empty candle jars can be reused as small vases, storage for tiny items, or even DIY containers for new candles.
If you’re not into repurposing, they often end up in the trash. These jars usually don’t hold much value once the candle is gone, so they’re likely to be thrown away when you’re no longer around.
Plastic bags with holes
If you find plastic bags with holes in your pantry, they probably won’t be useful anymore. Torn or damaged bags can’t keep your food fresh or contain items properly.
You might want to toss these bags before someone else tries to reuse them and ends up with a mess.
Keeping intact bags is handy, but ones with holes just add clutter and frustration. Get rid of the damaged ones to clear space and avoid problems.
Outdated receipts
You probably have receipts scattered around that you don’t need anymore. Once the return or warranty period is over, most of these can go straight to the trash.
If you like to keep records, scan or photograph them before tossing. Otherwise, soaking them in water or shredding crosscut receipts helps with safe disposal.
Single unmatched shoes
You probably have at least one shoe without its pair hiding somewhere. These single unmatched shoes often end up just taking space.
Most people don’t bother keeping one shoe because it’s not useful alone. Unless it’s a rare or expensive pair, these usually get tossed.
If you want, some places accept single shoes for recycling or donation, but otherwise, it’s okay to let them go.
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