Professional Organizers Say It’s Time to Let Go of These Household Items

Avoid collecting excess reusable shopping bags by keeping just a few favorites — around two or three per person — and donating the rest.

Keep only the clothes you currently wear and love. Donate well-maintained clothing items and discard any torn or damaged items. “Donating sooner rather than later ensures items will be in style and can be sold by thrift or consignment stores,” says Stobbe. “Clothing stored for years often gets damaged and ends up in a landfill.”

Check under the bathroom sink, where clutter builds up quickly, says Rachel Rosenthal, a professional organizer at Rachel and Company. “It’s a great spot to find expired or unnecessary items.” Clear out expired cosmetics, skincare products, medications and bulky packaging to free up space.

If your linen closet is overflowing, toss any stained or torn linens. Donate gently used sheets and pillows that no longer fit your beds to local charities, and give old towels and bedding to animal shelters.

With kids, toys and games pile up fast — whether in the living room, playroom or bedroom. Donate anything they’ve outgrown (when’s the last time they played with that baby doll?). Toss or repurpose books, puzzles and games with missing pieces, and clear out broken crayons, dried-out markers and incomplete toy sets.

Searching for a charger in a tangle of wires is frustrating. If you don’t know what a cord belongs to, toss it! “There’s no need to keep cords for devices you no longer own,” says Rosenthal.

Get rid of unworn shoes, from worn-out sneakers to uncomfortable heels, and donate any pairs in good condition. “Don’t hold onto shoes that are too tight or uncomfortable,” says Rosenthal.

Ditch cheap plastic containers, especially those that are stained, cracked or missing lids. Sort through your kitchen cabinets and recycle any that haven’t held up. While you’re at it, toss chipped dishes, glasses and damaged kitchen gadgets.

A beautiful bouquet often comes with a glass vase, but how many do you really need? Keep one or two for your favorite blooms and donate the rest to a thrift store — or try selling them on Facebook Marketplace.

As you sort through mail, toss junk mail and takeout menus straight into the recycling bin. If a stack is piling up in your junk drawer, now’s the time to clear it out. Be sure to shred any mail containing personal information.