Ask a professional organizer what to throw away, and you will often hear about big things like old furniture. But @ddh.home took a different approach. The creator rattled off a quick list of 20 small, everyday items that pile up in drawers, closets and bags, and that you can toss today without a moment of regret.
The list moves fast, and the autocaptions on the clip are a little garbled in spots, so here are the items that came through clearly, along with some practical thoughts on why each one deserves to go.
@ddh.home
The Kids’ Stuff and Pet Stuff
The list starts with shoes that a child has outgrown. These are some of the hardest items to let go of because they remind us how fast the kids are growing. But if the shoes no longer fit, they are only taking up space. Pass them along to a younger cousin, a neighbor or a donation center while they still have life in them. If you want a keepsake, pick one tiny pair and let the rest go.
The list also mentions worn-out dog toys. Pets are not picky about a chewed-up toy, but a toy that is falling apart can become a choking hazard or leave stuffing all over the floor. Replace it with a fresh one, and toss the old.
Leftovers From Restaurants and Kitchens
Next on the list are the extras that come home from restaurants and takeout orders. Think of the stash of plastic utensils, napkins, condiment packets and sauce cups sitting in a kitchen drawer. If you have not used them in months, you will not start now. Keep a small handful for a picnic, and let the rest go.
The list also names kitchen gadgets that you do not use, especially single-purpose ones. We all have that one tool that seemed clever in the store. If it has been sitting in the back of a drawer for a year, you can safely say goodbye. And while you are in the kitchen, check for a lid with no pot. Without its partner, it cannot do its job, and it is just one more thing to shuffle around the cabinet. The same goes for an old water bottle that nobody reaches for. Most households have far more than they need, and the favorites always get used while the rest collect dust.
Odds and Ends That Never Find a Home
Many items on the list are those little things that float around with no purpose. A single earring is a common one. If the other half has been missing for a long time, the odds of it turning up are slim. If the earring is valuable or sentimental, you might turn it into a pendant or keep it in a small dish. Otherwise, it is time to let it go.
A broken magnet, a travel guidebook from a trip that happened years ago, and a scrap of leftover wrapping paper also make the cut. Guidebooks go out of date quickly, with restaurants and hours changing all the time, so there is not much value in keeping one for a trip you already took. Wrapping paper pieces that are too small to wrap anything are a good example of something we keep out of habit instead of need.
Things That Do Not Work Anymore
A big part of the message is that anything that no longer does its job should go. Scissors that do not cut are a perfect example. They are frustrating when you reach for them and they are not likely to get better. Either have them sharpened if they are a good pair or replace them. Glue that has run out or dried up belongs in the trash as well. So does nail polish that has dried up and turned thick and clumpy.
One tip on disposal: some products, such as nail polish, are treated as household hazardous waste in many areas. Check with your local trash or recycling service before tossing them in the regular bin. Empty perfume bottles are another item on the list, and the empty glass can often go in recycling once it is completely empty. Again, local rules vary, so a quick call or a look at your town’s website can save you a headache.
Accessories You No Longer Use
Last in the lineup are a phone case that no longer fits any phone you own, sunglasses you never wear, and a beaten-up old backpack. Phone cases are a classic clutter item because we upgrade phones every few years and keep the old cases in a drawer. Unless the case fits a phone someone in your home still uses, it can go. If sunglasses are in good shape but not your style, donate them. And a backpack that is torn, stained or falling apart will not hold up to another school year or trip. Let it retire.
How to Put This List to Work
You can clear most of these items in a single afternoon. Here is a simple way to do it.
Grab a box and a trash bag. Walk through your kitchen, bathroom, closet and entryway with both. Anything that still works but you do not use goes in the box. Anything broken, empty or dried up goes in the bag.
Check the junk drawer first. It is the one place that likely holds the most of these items, from the single earring to the scissors that no longer cut.
Set a time limit. Thirty minutes is plenty for a first pass. Stopping early keeps it from feeling like a chore.
Take the donation box out of the house. Put it in the car right away so it does not become another pile in the hallway.
Do not second guess it. The point of this list is that these are items you will not miss. If you cannot remember the last time you used something, that is your answer.
Small Things Add Up
None of the items on the list is a big deal on its own. But together, they take over drawers, fill cabinets and make everyday tasks harder. Clearing out even ten of them can make a space feel lighter. Try the list this weekend and see how many you can cross off. You will likely find a few more along the way that did not even make the list.