You’ve probably bought or held onto things thinking you’ll use them someday, only to realize they just sit around collecting dust. It happens to everyone, and recognizing these items can help you avoid clutter and wasted money.
This will help you spot the things you think are useful but likely won’t ever get used. By understanding this, you can make smarter choices about what to keep and what to let go.
That fancy bread maker still in the box
You bought that bread maker thinking you’d start baking fresh bread every weekend. It looked cool and promising, with all those settings and dough options.
But somehow, it ended up gathering dust in the cupboard, still in its box. Turning on a machine for bread feels like too much effort compared to just buying one from the store.
Even if it has a dough setting that does the mixing and proofing, you might never get around to using it regularly. It’s one of those gadgets that sounds great but rarely makes it into your daily routine.
Expired nail polish from 2018
If you’re holding onto nail polish from 2018, it’s probably past its prime. Nail polish typically lasts about 18 to 24 months after you open it.
Over time, it can get thick, clumpy, or change color. You might try shaking it, but it won’t always help.
Using old polish won’t usually harm you, but it might not look good or apply smoothly. It’s okay to toss it and grab fresh polish instead.
Old prom corsage shoved in a drawer
You keep that prom corsage tucked away, thinking it might come in handy someday. Maybe for nostalgia or as a quirky keepsake.
But it usually just sits forgotten, a little dried-up reminder of a night that passed fast.
Eventually, you realize you’re never really going to wear or use it again. It’s more of a collectible than anything practical.
Jeans you swore you’d fit into again
You bought those jeans a size smaller, convinced you’d get back into them soon. Months — or years — pass, and they just sit in your closet.
You keep thinking, “Maybe next week,” but the truth is, you probably won’t. Holding onto them only takes up space and clutters your wardrobe.
It’s okay to let go and save yourself the frustration.
Single gloves missing their pairs
You’ve probably picked up a lone glove at some point, wondering where its other half went. These single gloves rarely get reunited with their partners.
Most of the time, you end up holding onto one while the other gets lost. They pile up in drawers or boxes, taking up space without much use.
Unless you work somewhere that replaces lost gloves easily, like some companies do, you’ll likely never actually use that single glove again.
Unopened set of travel-size toiletries
You bought that travel-size toiletries set thinking it would be perfect for trips. But chances are, you haven’t even opened the bottles.
Sometimes it’s easier to just use what hotels provide or carry your favorite full-size products.
Plus, a bunch of tiny bottles can end up taking more space and creating clutter than you expect.
So, unless you travel constantly, that unopened set will probably stay on your shelf collecting dust.
Takeout menus from five years ago
You probably keep a stack of old takeout menus somewhere, thinking they might come in handy. But honestly, restaurants change their menus often, so those menus are mostly outdated.
Prices will be wrong, and some items might not even exist anymore. Instead of flipping through old papers, a quick online search usually gives you the latest options and deals. Holding onto those old menus is more nostalgia than useful planning.
Unused kitchen gadget you thought you’d master
You probably bought that fancy gadget with good intentions. Maybe it promised to make your life easier or save you time.
But after a few uses, it just ended up collecting dust in a drawer.
You thought you’d get the hang of it, but it turned out to be more complicated or less useful than expected.
Soon, it was easier to stick with the basics you already know.
Sometimes, the simplest tools beat the flashy ones.
Stack of workout DVDs gathering dust
You bought that intense workout DVD set thinking it would change your routine. Maybe it promised quick results or a complete body transformation.
But now, those discs are just sitting on a shelf, collecting dust.
You probably felt motivated at first, but busy days and distractions took over. It’s common to overestimate how often you’ll stick with at-home programs like those.
Collection of expired coupons
You probably have a bunch of coupons saved up, thinking you’ll use them “someday.” But many end up expired before you get around to it.
Expired coupons lose their value, even if you forget about the date. It’s easy to hang on to them hoping they still work, but most stores won’t accept them past the expiration day.
If you organize your coupons, crossing off expired ones helps keep things manageable. Otherwise, they just collect dust and clutter your space.
Random cables for gadgets you no longer own
You probably have a box full of cables for devices you stopped using years ago. Holding onto them feels like a safety net, but chances are you won’t need that weird charger from 2012.
Organizing cables can help you see what’s actually useful. Rolling them up and labeling can save time if you ever do need one, but consider letting go of the rest. Keeping every random plug just adds clutter without much benefit.
That ‘just in case’ formal dress from college
You probably bought that formal dress in college thinking you’d wear it to fancy events. But once graduation hits, those occasions rarely come around. Charity galas, operas, or symphonies aren’t as common in everyday life as you might expect.
It ends up hanging in your closet, waiting for a “maybe someday.” Meanwhile, casual clothes take over your wardrobe because they’re way easier to wear. The dress remains a neat reminder of college days, but probably won’t make an appearance anytime soon.
Old phone chargers from ancient models
You probably have a bunch of old phone chargers lying around that don’t fit anything anymore. Most ancient models used different connectors, so they’re basically useless for your current devices.
Holding on to them feels like a good idea, but chances are you’ll never use those chargers again. Recycling is a better option instead of letting them clutter your drawers.
Unused sewing kit you bought on sale
You grabbed a sewing kit on sale, thinking it would come in handy for quick fixes. But somehow, it just ended up sitting in a drawer.
You might have found the tiny metal pieces confusing or never got around to learning basic stitches. Now, it just collects dust, a reminder of good intentions that never turned into action.
Half-used candle you never lit
You bought the candle because it smelled great in the store. Now it just sits on your shelf with its wick untouched.
You thought you’d light it during a power outage or for a relaxing night, but somehow it never happens.
It ends up as a dusty decoration more than anything else—and probably will stay that way.
Broken sunglasses kept for ‘spares’
You might hold on to broken sunglasses, thinking you’ll use parts later. Maybe a lens or frame piece will come in handy, right?
In reality, these “spares” usually just take up space. Most broken parts don’t match your current or future sunglasses.
Instead of storing them, it’s easier to replace or repair when needed. Holding onto damaged frames just creates clutter.
Unfinished jigsaw puzzle from a rainy weekend
You start a jigsaw puzzle on a slow, rainy day, thinking it’s a fun way to pass the time. But somehow, life gets busy, and the pieces stay scattered on the table.
Before you know it, that weekend project becomes a half-done puzzle you never finish. It’s one of those things you keep meaning to complete but probably won’t.
Books you bought but never cracked open
You’ve bought that interesting book with good intentions, but somehow it just sits on your shelf. Maybe you liked the idea of reading it more than actually reading it.
Sometimes it’s okay to admit you won’t get to it. Holding onto unread books can feel like unfinished business, but letting them go frees up space and mental energy.
If it’s been months and you haven’t opened it, consider donating or giving it away. You’ll thank yourself later.
Gift cards from stores you never visit
You probably have a few gift cards lying around from places you don’t shop at. They might seem handy, but they often end up forgotten in a drawer.
Using them means going out of your way or settling for something you don’t really want. Sometimes, these cards get lost or partially scratched off, making them even harder to use.
If you’re tempted, consider selling or trading them instead of holding onto something you won’t use.
Expired spices hidden in the back of the pantry
You probably have spices tucked away that are long past their prime. While expired spices aren’t dangerous, their flavors fade over time, making them pretty useless for cooking.
If you haven’t used some spices in months or years, chances are you won’t. It’s a good idea to toss anything older than a couple of years, especially if the aroma is weak or gone.
Next time you clean your pantry, dig around and say goodbye to those hidden, stale spices. Your dishes will taste better without them.
Tickets to events you never attended
You probably have stacks of tickets from concerts, sports games, or festivals you meant to go to but never did. They sit there, reminding you of plans that fell through or last-minute changes.
Sometimes you hold onto them hoping you’ll use them someday. But most of the time, they just become clutter you don’t really need. It’s okay to let go.