You probably have items tucked away that you haven’t used in years, taking up space without any real benefit. These things might seem important at the time, but they often end up cluttering your home and mind.
Identifying and letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose can help you create a more organized and stress-free environment. This article will help you recognize what’s worth keeping—and what you can confidently toss.
VHS tapes
You might still have old VHS tapes packed away, but their quality fades over time. Magnetic tape loses its charge, causing color and sound to deteriorate.
Even if your tapes are in good shape now, they generally last around 25-30 years. After that, the risk of losing your recordings increases.
If you want to keep the memories, consider transferring the content to digital formats. Otherwise, those tapes serve little practical purpose today.
Old tax return supporting documents
You only need to keep tax return documents and their supporting paperwork for about three years after filing. This includes receipts, expense records, and investment statements related to your return.
After that time, these papers generally don’t serve a purpose unless you’re involved in an audit or tax dispute. Holding onto them longer usually just creates unnecessary clutter.
Half-empty cans of paint
You might have several half-empty paint cans taking up space in your garage or basement. Over time, paint can dry out or separate, making it less useful for future projects.
If you want to keep some, store them properly by sealing the lid tightly and placing them on a shelf off the floor. But consider recycling or disposing of paint you won’t use to reduce clutter and avoid hazards. Many communities have hazardous waste sites that accept leftover paint safely.
Appliance manuals
You probably have a stack of appliance manuals that you never use. Most of these manuals are available online, so keeping the physical copies is often unnecessary.
If you want to keep some, consider saving only the ones for items still under warranty. Store them digitally or in a single, clear pouch to reduce clutter.
This way, you have quick access without holding onto paper manuals you rarely need.
Sports equipment you no longer use
You might have old gear from activities you no longer do. Keeping it can take up space without adding value.
If you haven’t used certain equipment in a year, it’s likely safe to let it go. Consider donating or selling items that are still in good condition. This way, you clear clutter and help someone else enjoy them.
Expired coupons
You might be holding onto coupons that expired months or even years ago. These no longer save you money and only add clutter to your space.
Coupons have expiration dates to encourage you to use them quickly. Once they expire, most stores won’t honor them, so keeping them serves little purpose.
Clearing out old coupons helps you stay organized and frees up room for deals you can actually use.
Outdated phone chargers
You probably have a drawer full of old phone chargers you keep “just in case.” Most of these don’t work with your current devices anymore.
Keeping them adds clutter and contributes to electronic waste. Chargers from years ago often don’t match new charging standards.
Instead of holding onto them, consider recycling old chargers properly. This way, you clear space and help reduce environmental impact.
Worn-out shoes
You might have shoes tucked away that look fine but have actually lost their support and comfort. Even if you rarely wear them, materials like soles and cushioning break down over time.
If your shoes are several years old or have been stored for a long time, they may disintegrate or become unsafe to use.
Keeping too many old pairs can clutter your space without any real benefit. It’s a good idea to regularly check and donate or toss shoes you no longer wear.
Old smartphone cases
You might have old phone cases collecting dust in a drawer. They often become outdated when you upgrade your phone model.
If your case is worn or damaged, it probably doesn’t protect your phone well anymore. Keeping it out of habit won’t help.
However, you can repurpose old cases for small storage. They can hold items like lip gloss, batteries, or other small bits around your home.
If you don’t want to keep them, recycling options may be available depending on your area.
Empty or nearly empty notebooks
You might have notebooks sitting around with just a few pages used or none at all. These often end up cluttering your space without really serving a purpose.
Instead of holding on to them, consider recycling or repurposing. If you want, you can turn them into doodle books, gratitude journals, or scrapbooks. Otherwise, letting them go can free up room and reduce clutter.
Broken umbrellas
If you have broken umbrellas lying around, they probably aren’t helping you stay dry anymore. Instead of tossing them, think about repurposing the fabric. It can be used to patch waterproof items or create small covers.
The metal and plastic parts might also be useful for craft projects or DIY repairs. Keeping broken umbrellas just takes up space, so consider giving them a second life or recycling the materials.
Faded clothing you never wear
You might have clothes tucked away that have faded from time and storage. Natural fibers like cotton and linen lose their color faster than synthetic fabrics.
If you haven’t worn these pieces in a long time, it’s likely because they don’t look or feel the way you want anymore. Holding onto faded items often means keeping clothes that no longer fit your style or mood.
Try wearing them once more to see if you still like how they look. If not, it’s okay to let them go and make space for clothes you truly enjoy.
Takeout menus from long ago
You probably have a stack of old takeout menus hiding somewhere. They once helped you decide what to order, but now they just collect dust.
Menus change often, so those old prices and options are no longer accurate.
Keeping them won’t save you money or make choosing easier today. It’s okay to toss them and clear up some space.
Unused gift cards
You might have gift cards lying around that you never use. Many people do, and these cards often end up forgotten or lost.
Some gift cards lose value over time because of inactivity fees. Others might become useless if the store closes down.
It’s best to use your gift cards quickly to avoid losing money. If you don’t shop there anymore, consider swapping or gifting them.
Old keys with unknown purpose
You might have a bunch of old keys tucked away, unsure what they unlocked. Holding onto them can feel like keeping little pieces of your past.
However, if you no longer recognize their use, these keys probably serve no practical purpose.
Instead of letting them gather dust, you could turn them into creative hooks or decorations. That way, they get a new life without taking up space.
Dried up markers and pens
You might have some markers and pens sitting around that no longer write. These often dry out from lack of use, making them frustrating to keep.
Before tossing them, try reviving markers by adding a drop of water to the cap and letting it sit for a few hours. For pens, gentle shaking or warming can sometimes help loosen dried ink.
If they still won’t work, it’s okay to let them go. Holding onto them rarely benefits you.
