Sonia
Are you tired of a cluttered and disorganized kitchen? It is time to take action and clear out the unnecessary items that are taking up valuable space. From expired spices to rusty bakeware, we will show you 25 things in your kitchen that you should get rid of right now.
Expired Spices
Have you looked at your spice rack lately? When did you last use fenugreek? It might be time to clean out and replace old spices and herbs. Just like other items in your kitchen, spices and dried herbs have an expiration date. They lose their flavor over time, and it is best to have them replaced.
Scratched Nonstick Pans
The shiny layer on pans that stops eggs and stir-fries from sticking wears out over time. When the shine is gone, or there are scratches, the pan no longer serves as a nonstick utensil. If you have used the pan for more than 3 years, it is advisable to replace it with a new one.
Old Cooking Oils
Cooking oils can go bad over time and make your food taste and smell off. To check if the oil is still good, give it a sniff. If it smells weird or old, it is time to throw it out. Remember to look at the expiration dates, and if it has already expired, it is best to throw it away.
Plastic Containers with Missing Lids
Tupperware without lids is not useful. A storage container that cannot be used to store anything that does not belong in your cabinet. Similar to missing sock pairs, the mystery of missing Tupperware lids may not be solvable. In such cases, it is best to discard those unnecessary containers as they only litter your kitchen.
BPA Plastic Containers
Bisphenol is a chemical used in making plastics and resins. When you are sorting your food containers and matching them with their lids, it is a good time to throw away any old containers with recycling codes 3, 6, or 7. These containers might have BPA in them.
Chipped or Cracked Dishes
We all have plates and bowls with chips or broken edges, but unless they are special family items, it is better to throw them away. This is especially true for mugs, cups, and glass items like glasses and bowls because the chipped edges can be sharp, which can cause injuries like cuts.
Rancid Peanut Butter
Peanut butter usually does not stay on the shelves for long in most homes. However, if it does, make sure to throw out any peanut butter that has been sitting for more than three months. Just like other oils, the unsaturated fat in peanut butter can go bad quickly and make it taste rancid and bitter.
Duplicate Utensils
If you cook a lot, having two spatulas might be useful, but no one really needs two can openers. Go through your cooking tools and get rid of any duplicates or extras, keeping the one that works and looks the best. You can donate the rest.
Expired Disinfectants
We use cleaning products to keep our kitchen clean and safe. However, these products eventually lose their power to kill germs. If you have any expired cleaning products, it is best to get rid of them. Most antibacterial products are good for about a year, while multipurpose cleaners without antibacterials can last up to two years.
Takeaway Menus
We all keep a lot of takeout menus in our kitchen drawers, but now, with online delivery services and menus, we do not really need them anymore. However, if you still order from places that take phone orders, keep only the menus from restaurants you have ordered from in the last six months.
Pickles
Most of us have an old jar of pickles in the fridge, maybe from as far back as 2010. But pickles can go bad. Try to find the expiry date on the jar to check if you can still use them. If you cannot remember when you bought the pickles, it is time to throw them out.
Unused Cookbooks
Some cookbooks in your kitchen might be well-used with worn-out and sticky pages, showing how much you love them. But there might also be cookbooks that look brand new because you hardly use them. Every year, take some time to look at your cookbooks. Keep the ones you use and discard the ones you do not.
Old Sponges
Old sponges can be a real health risk, unlike your old pan. They can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria like E. coli. Scientists have found that even trying to clean them does not help much. It is recommended to replace your sponges every week or so to keep things safe.
Half-Used Candles
Half-burned candles, like the ones left over from a dinner party, often end up forgotten in a drawer, taking up valuable space. Instead of letting them sit unused, you can repurpose them. One option is to melt them down and create new votive candles. Otherwise, you can discard and replace them with a fresh set of candles.
Worn-Out Pot Holders and Dish Towels
Over time, pot holders and dish towels can become ragged, stained, and less effective, potentially risking burns and hygiene issues. Replacing them with new ones can freshen up your kitchen’s look and ensure better protection and cleanliness while handling hot dishes and kitchen tasks.
Old Rubber Spatulas
Rubber spatulas are really useful in the kitchen for mixing batters, stirring sauces, and spreading frosting. But after a lot of use, they can get cracked, which can hold bacteria, and the rubber can start to peel off into your food. Check your spatulas regularly and replace them if you see any damage.
Unnecessary Kitchen Gadgets
You might have thought that the egg slicer and corn stripper would make preparing food much easier, but if you have had them for two years and only used them once, it is time to get rid of them. This will free up space for the paring knives and vegetable peelers that you use regularly.
Rusty Baking Pans
Rusty baking pans can compromise both the appearance and safety of your baked goods, as well as affect their even cooking. You do not need to discard all your bakeware. Just discard or replace the ones that have rusted. Rust can affect the even distribution of heat, leading to unevenly baked goods.
Excess Plastic Shopping Bags
Many people keep a stash of plastic bags to avoid throwing them into the landfill. However, this often leads to a huge pile of bags that is hard to manage. It is advised to get rid of excess plastic bags to reduce clutter and environmental impact. Try recycling them and switching to reusable shopping bags.
Outdated Medication
If you keep medication in your kitchen, it is important to regularly check the expiration dates. Medicines that are past their expiration date may not be effective or could even be harmful. Do not just throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Instead, follow the specific disposal guidelines of local waste management authorities.
Excess Fridge Magnets
Fridge magnets are great for remembering special times, but they can make your kitchen look messy if there are too many. Also, some magnets might not be strong enough to hold up even a piece of paper. Get rid of the ones that do not work well or that you do not really like.
Broken Wooden Cutleries
Wooden spoons and cutting boards can develop cracks over time, which can harbor bacteria. Using these cracked utensils can contaminate your food and pose a health risk. To maintain a safe and hygienic kitchen, it is important to regularly inspect your wooden tools and replace them if they show signs of damage.
Expired Food
Want more space in your fridge quickly? Start by throwing away anything that is past its expiration date. Then, check your fridge for moldy strawberries and old deli meats. When you are done, you will know all your food is fresh and find extra storage space in your kitchen that you did not know you had.
Unused Condiments
See if you have any used condiments, especially those you bought for a recipe a year ago and have not used since. If you notice any separation, like separated oil, discoloration, or strange smell, it is best to throw those sauces away. The same rule applies to salad dressings.
Coffee
If you do not drink coffee often, you might have a can of coffee grounds or a bag of beans that has been sitting on your shelf for a while. Coffee goes bad after three to six months. If you are not sure how old it is, make a cup of coffee. If it does not smell strong or taste weak, it is probably old.