Your junk drawer is likely a chaos zone filled with all sorts of random items that might have seemed useful at one time. Knowing what to toss can help you reclaim valuable space and make your home feel more organized. It’s easy for this drawer to become a catch-all for things you don’t quite know what to do with.
Surprisingly, many of the things sitting in your junk drawer don’t serve a purpose anymore. You may be holding onto items that are simply taking up space and adding to your clutter without offering any real value. Getting a handle on what’s inside can lead to a more functional and streamlined area in your home.
1. Expired Batteries
You probably have a collection of expired batteries lurking in your junk drawer. They take up space and serve no purpose when they’re no longer functional.
It’s hard to remember which ones are good and which are dead. Sorting through them can be a hassle, often leading to frustration.
Consider recycling them or properly disposing of expired batteries. Clearing them out can free up valuable space for items you actually use.
2. Defunct keys
You probably have a few keys in your junk drawer that you just can’t identify. These defunct keys take up space and serve no purpose, leaving you to wonder what they were meant for.
If you can’t remember what a key unlocks, it’s time to let it go. Holding onto them only adds to the clutter.
Instead, create a small keychain for the ones you use regularly. Clear out those random keys and make your junk drawer more functional.
3. Old charging cables
You’ve probably noticed a collection of old charging cables in your junk drawer. They can easily pile up, especially when you upgrade your devices.
Most of these cables become obsolete as technology changes. Keeping them can make your drawer look messy and cluttered.
Consider recycling those old cables instead. Retailers like Best Buy offer drop-off kiosks for recycling electronics, making it easy to declutter while being environmentally friendly.
4. Random screws
You probably have random screws floating around in your junk drawer. They seem harmless at first but can create unnecessary clutter.
These screws often get lost even when you need them. Instead of keeping them, consider organizing them in a toolkit.
If you can’t find a use for them, it’s time to let them go. Clear them out and enjoy the extra space for things you actually need.
5. Dried-out pens
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Dried-out pens are a classic junk drawer inhabitant. They take up space without serving any purpose. You probably keep them thinking they might work someday, but let’s face it: they won’t.
Instead of holding onto those useless pens, gather them up and toss them in the trash. This small step can clear clutter and make finding a working pen much easier when you need one.
6. Loose buttons
You probably have a few loose buttons lurking in your junk drawer. While they might seem like useful items, they often serve no purpose.
If you don’t have any immediate plans to sew them back on, they just take up space.
Consider tossing them or keeping them in a more organized spot if you really think you’ll use them someday. You’ll clear out the clutter and make your drawer more functional.
7. Stretched-out rubber bands
You probably have a few stretched-out rubber bands lying around in your junk drawer. They might seem useful, but they usually end up becoming more of a hassle than a help.
When rubber bands lose their elasticity, they can’t hold things together properly. Instead of keeping items organized, they just create more clutter.
Consider recycling or tossing those old bands. After all, you can easily grab new ones when you actually need them. Keeping your junk drawer streamlined will make finding what you need much easier.
8. Outdated business cards
You probably have a stack of outdated business cards cluttering your junk drawer. They take up space and serve little purpose now.
Instead of tossing them, think about ways to reuse or recycle them. Use the backs for notes or turn them into unique gift tags.
If you’re feeling crafty, you could even create some cool wall art. Those cards can find new life and keep your drawer from overflowing!
9. Single Use Instruction Manuals
You probably have a stack of instruction manuals lying around. Most of them are for products you use once and then forget about. These manuals often take up valuable space in your junk drawer.
Most of the time, you can figure out how to use something without needing a guide, especially for simple items. Consider recycling those manuals for products you no longer own or use. It’ll free up room for things that actually matter!
10. Old takeout menus
You probably have a few old takeout menus stuffed in your junk drawer. While they seemed useful at one point, there’s a better way to find food options now.
With apps and websites, you can access any menu you need within seconds. Keeping those printed copies just clutters your space.
It’s time to let go of those outdated menus. Your junk drawer deserves a clean slate and less chaos. Plus, you’ll be surprised how freeing it feels to clear them out!
