If there’s one chore that I actually enjoy doing, it’s decluttering. Since reading Marie Kondo’s book (you know the one), I’ve been slowly trying to reduce my possessions. I’ll never be a true minimalist but I do like having more space. That’s why I’m writing this blog post all about 10 things to declutter right now!
Expired food
This applies to not just the fridge but checking your cupboards too! This is really an ongoing task but it should be done thoroughly once every so often. I’d advise going cupboard at a time wherever you store food (don’t forget any snack drawers in your home office too) and checking the best before dates. I’ll admit that I hate wasting food so am happy to eat some items that are out of date. It all just depends on the item and how out of date it is! I personally leave the fridge until last and then throw that bin liner straight into your outdoor bin so you don’t have food hanging around. The more frequently you do this, the less food you’ll waste. It’s rare that we throw anything away now!
Clothes that don’t fit
Unless it’s the most sentimental of items, I’d recommend getting rid of clothes that don’t fit. Whether you’ve lost weight, gained weight or are saving it for a rainy day, if it’s not been worn in over a year, it’s time to go. You can sell stuff on Vinted/eBay/Facebook Marketplace/your Instagram Stories or simply donate items. I’ve just done this myself and just donated items to a local charity shop because I cannot be bothered with uploading and haggling on Vinted. You might even pass items onto friends or family if they’re looking for something similar!
Leads that no longer have devices
My general rule of thumb is if I don’t know what device a lead is for, it’s time to get rid of it. Somehow, I seem to collate them in my home office and every so often, I’ll collect them all, go through them and throw 97% of them. Odds are that you’ll be able to get a replacement lead if you really need. Odds are also that the device to go with the lead is no longer in your house.
Old tech you no longer use
This also ties in with the above point but if you have old tech that you don’t use anymore, donate or recycle them. If they’re still in good use and if you have the leads, you might be able to sell them on eBay or trade-in via Music Magpie or somewhere similar. If not, your local recycling centre will take most electrical items. I’d maybe keep one back up mobile phone and one laptop but that’s about it. How often do we go back and actually use old tech?
Expired make-up + toiletries
Many people don’t realise but once opened, make-up and toiletries really do expire! Products can last anything from three to 24 months before expiring and often it’s for health and safety. I know for one, I need to do this more often. I’ve not really worn make-up that much since the pandemic, yet my make-up collection is all still sat there in a drawer. Then I wonder why my skin feels irritated when I wear it! Again, it depends on the product. The only items I refuse to get rid of are my expensive eyeshadow palettes, such as my Naked ones. I paid like £50 for each of them and I’ve looked after them so they’re staying.
Mismatched Tupperware
If a tub has no lid and you’ve no idea where it is (or vice versa), it’s time to cut your losses. What use is a spare tub or lid if they’re not a pair? We’ve recently upgraded a lot of our plastic Tupperware to glass versions so hopefully, they’ll last longer. You also don’t need as much Tupperware as you’ve probably collated either! Just a few tubs in various sizes should do. This also applies to travel mugs and reusable water bottles!
Paperwork you no longer needs
You do not need payslips from jobs that you had nearly 10 years ago (yes, this is a message for myself). This is a task I did the other day myself and let me tell you, I had the biggest pile of paperwork I think I’ve ever gotten rid of. There were old payslips, random letters from student finance, and old bank statements and info for accounts I no longer have. Just make sure you shred it properly!
Books you’ll never read
I’m a book hoarder but I’m really trying to be good about the books I own. I’ve also put myself on a book-buying ban until I read what I have. If you’ve read a book and didn’t really enjoy it, it needs to go. If you’re never going to read a book, it needs to go. You could sell or donate, whichever you prefer. The aim is to only own what you love so you have more space to buy new books!
Duplicate items (kitchen gadgets mostly)
When you replace an item, it’s very rare that you need to keep the original. Maybe for a few weeks to make sure the new one works properly but after that, you can declutter it. My only reason for keeping items now is if I will use them once I move out of my parent’s house. I’ve got our old kettle and toaster in a box in the loft so it will save me some money when I have my own place. Whilst it mostly applies to kitchen gadgets, it can apply to anything really. Some items you can definitely stockpile (I do with skincare and stationery) but for the most part, you’ll be able to replace something quickly if it breaks.
Random items that you have no need for
Unless it’s sentimental, you only really need items that you use or love in your home. Whilst Maire Kondo is big on only owning what you love, nobody loves kitchen utensils or a mop but they have a function! Slowly getting rid of items that you don’t really need isn’t something that needs to be done overnight but if you’re not reaching for something at least once a year, somebody else might make more use of it! You’d be surprised what people on Facebook Marketplace or on your local Facebook group will take off your hands!
And that’s my list of 10 things to declutter right now. Decluttering is not an overnight task (unless it’s just one drawer or cupboard) but more a lifestyle change. We’re not talking about getting rid of everything you own, simply making way for the stuff you use and love!
If you enjoyed this post about 10 things to declutter right now, you can check out my other minimalism posts here. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too!
