30 Things To Throw Out Right Now

Let us talk about something we all need to do more often: decluttering. It is not just about reclaiming the space but also a lot about making room for new possibilities. Here are the 30 things to throw away right now if you have not already.

Expired Medicine

Drugs have an expiry date for a reason, as the chemical composition of a drug has the potential to change over time and become less potent or sometimes even toxic. So, it is at the top of our list of things to throw away. Check your medicine cupboard regularly and dispose of anything that is past its expiration date. 

Old Makeup

As with food, makeup also has an expiration date. An expired product can cause skin irritation, breakouts, or infection. While the mascara should be thrown away three months after its first use to ensure it does not lead to eye infection, foundation and lipstick are generally safe for up to a year. Get rid of any product that smells off, feels different, or is expired.

Mismatched Socks

All of us have that collection of mismatched socks. It is time to acknowledge that the “better half” is never coming back, and keeping the lone ones only makes your drawer overcrowded. Throw them away or repurpose them into cleaning rags. Your sock drawer will be decluttered, and your morning routine will be more time-efficient. 

Worn-Out Shoes

Worn-out soles or sneakers that no longer support the arch of your foot can compromise not only your posture but also your foot health. Check your footwear from time to time and throw it away if the soles or insoles are damaged. Socks with holes, split soles, or frayed insoles are also beyond repair. 

Old Electronics

We all have old phones, broken chargers, and outdated computers that we do not want to part with. However, they are usually meaningless and take up a lot of space. They can also be dangerous for the environment if not disposed of properly. Nowadays, many electronic stores and recycling centers have programs to recycle your old electronics responsibly. 

Expired Food in the Pantry 

While we tend to remember perishable foods, pantry staples can go bad as well. Always check canned foods, spices, and dry items like pasta/rice to check the expiration date. If you spot an item that is past its expiration date, throw it away. It will not only help free up some space but also protect your health.

Old Magazines and Newspapers

We all keep old magazines and new issues, promising that we will read them again. Most of the time, these simply collect dust. If you have not read the old magazine issues for over six months, you do not need them. You can throw them away or recycle them. If there is any particular article or recipe you want to keep, digitize it or cut it out and organize it in a binder. 

Unused Kitchen Gadgets

Do you have gadgets in your kitchen drawers that you never use? Like grandma’s bread slicer and grandpa’s egg separator? If you have not used the gadget in the last one or two years, you clearly do not need it. Either consider donating these to someone who needs them or sell them off to make space for the ones you actually use. 

Old Bedding and Towels

While not directly unhealthy, over time, bedding and towels may become old and worn, faded, or frayed. If you have linens in a condition that is no longer good, it is time to get rid of them. You might want to donate the ones you barely use to animal shelters, or you can always use them as cleaning rags. Fresh bedding and towels can also make your home feel more refreshed and cleaner.

Gifts You Never Used

We all have received presents that are not quite to our taste or that have no place to be put. Why not give it to someone who could use it more often than us or donate it to charity? It is okay to let go of items that do not bring you joy or serve a purpose in your life.

Old Paint Cans

Do you have old paint cans from past projects? Chances are that the paint has long since spoiled or degraded and is simply taking up space. The paint itself can degrade over time if it is exposed to extreme temperatures. Check if your local waste management facility has a paint recycling program and give it away.

Unused Craft Supplies

It is easy to pile up craft supplies from projects you expected to start but never did. If you have items you have not used in over a year, it is probably time to let them go. Consider donating them to schools, community centers, or art programs in the hope that they will be used.

Old Prescription Glasses

Once your prescription changes, those old glasses will no longer be of any use to you. To someone else, though, the thought of seeing the world in front of them becoming blurry is torturous. You can donate your old glasses to organizations that provide eyeglasses to people in need. This helps you clear out unnecessary clutter and helps someone else see properly.

Expired Sunscreen

Sunscreen is another item with an expiration date. When sunscreen expires, it will not protect you against the sun’s harmful UV rays anymore. Vitamin D is vital for your skin, and so is using the proper protection against the sun. So, throw them out and restock your favorites. 

Broken Jewelry

It is not rare to hold onto broken jewelry in the hope of fixing it one day. But if they have been sitting in a drawer for years, you will probably never fix them. So, repair it if it is worth it. Or let it go. But remember, some broken jewelry can be repurposed.

Expired Vitamins and Supplements

Just as it is bad to take expired medication, it is the same issue with expired vitamins and supplements. They can lose their potency or harm you instead when they expire. Check your stash and dispose of any expired products to ensure you are getting the full health benefits.

Old Calendars and Planners

Get rid of those old planners and calendars from 5-10 years ago lying around the house. If you have outgrown them or they no longer serve any purpose to you, throw the old calendars and planners away or recycle them. Make some extra storage space for your current planners and calendars.

Outdated Computer Software and CDs

With technology constantly evolving, software CDs and old computer programs can quickly become obsolete. If you have not used the software for years, be sure you will not use it in the future, either. Most programs can be found on the internet today, so you do not really need physical copies anymore.

Unused Exercise Equipment

Exercise equipment is something that people often buy but never use. While these are often bought with good intentions, most of them cause clutter. If there is a treadmill or a set of dumbbells that no longer lights a spark, it is time to get rid of it. Consider selling or donating unused exercise equipment to those who will actively use it.

Old School Papers and Notebooks

Even old schoolwork or notebooks. People often keep these things for years as memories. Yet, if you have not looked at it for a decade, it serves no use. You can throw away school materials you no longer need and free up space at home. You could recycle them too.

Worn-Out Bath Mats

Bath Mats are designed to prevent slippage when stepping out of the shower or bath. However, the mats will wear out over time, become frayed, lose their gripping ability, and increase the risk of slipping. Also, an old bath mat can contain mold and mildew. So, throw the old ones out and get some new ones.

Old Phone Cases

Phone cases are to safeguard your device, so once you purchase a new phone, old cases become useless. Most people do not throw them away, so cases accumulate in drawers and take up a lot of space. You can donate it or recycle it if it is made of materials like silicone. 

Expired Coupons

Coupons also have expiration dates. So, storing old coupons at home can not only create clutter but can also make it more challenging to identify ones that are still usable. Go through them and throw out expired ones. You can reorganize the remaining coupons in order of category or their expiration date to know which ones need to be used first. 

Old Textbooks

Textbooks are vital for any student, but when new editions come out, or the curriculum changes, old textbooks run their course. If you have a few academic books that would not help with your current projects or studies, donate or sell them to secondhand bookshops online markets, or even visit libraries and schools and ask if they need some books. 

Plastic Shopping Bags

We all have piles of plastic bags at home, and they are a constant source of clutter. These plastic bags not only take up room but are also not environmentally friendly. It is best if you have a few reusable bags to take with you when shopping. It is an easy step that might help the environment, too.

Old Greeting Cards

While many people like to keep cards from special occasions such as weddings, graduations, or birthdays, they can quickly add up. Try keeping only the most sentimental ones and taking photos of the rest before recycling them for good. This way, you can preserve your memory without physical clutter.

Unused Chargers and Cables

As technology evolves almost every day, many homes have become a reserve for old chargers and cables that you no longer use. Look at your collection, and toss away any that is broken or not compatible with your current devices. You can also donate or recycle the rest of the supplies. 

Out-of-Style Clothing

Fashion is always changing, and clothes that are in this season may be out in the next. If you have not worn a piece of clothing in a year and do not know when you will wear it again, it might be time to donate or sell it. This will make it easy to manage the clothes you love and wear while reducing the hassle of figuring out what to wear every morning.

Old Spices

Spices lose their flavor over time and can make your dishes tasteless. Do you have any spices you have never used or cannot remember when you bought them? If yes, check their expiration dates and replace the old ones. This way, your meals will taste better, and the ingredients will be safe to eat, too.

Broken Toys

With time, your children will outgrow their toys or will no longer be interested in them, and the toys may likely wear and break, too. So, go through your children’s toys and throw away any broken ones or toys that are not played with anymore. You can also donate gently used toys to charity or give them to a loved one.