Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Today’s list of things to throw away now is here to help you in your decluttering efforts. Sometimes decluttering feels so overwhelming that we just don’t start–what should you keep, and what should you toss? A list of 150 things to throw away should help you get over that hump!
Clutter seems to happen spontaneously, no matter how hard you try to stop it. While certain items may come in handy in the future, there’s a lot of stuff that won’t. Are you hanging onto any of these things throw away now?
150 Things To Throw Away Now
Boxes
No need to keep old boxes around. Keep a few for presents and storage, add the rest to the pile of things to throw away now {or toss in your recycling can!}.
Dry Cleaning Hangers
These are flimsy and easily break. Throw them out and spend a few dollars on sturdier ones. Or, turn them into roasting marshmallow sticks!
Expired Makeup to Throw Away
You’re not going to use it, so just get rid of it!
Emery Boards
These are old-fashioned. Get a glass one and toss out the old.
Magazines
Keep only a few recent editions. Recycle the rest.
Old Paint
Not only is this useless but it can also be dangerous. Make sure to dispose of it properly.
Old Clothes
Throw away items with holes and rips (or use your seamstress skills to make repairs!). Donate what you no longer wear.
More Things To Throw Away Now!
Socks
If they’re missing their other half or have holes, throw them out! Socks seems to be something that people hold on to but they are definitely things to throw away now!
Old Paperwork
Anything older than seven years is probably safe to throw away if it’s just bills, taxes or something similar. Shred important documents and recycle all of the paper.
Extra cups
All you need to keep is what your family uses in a normal dishwasher load, plus a few extra for guests.
Old technology
Get rid of floppy disks, VHS tapes (without a VCR), etc. Technology is advancing and we definitely won’t go back to those.
Abandoned toys
Do them a favor and donate them to a charity that can put them to use.
Unread Books
If you haven’t touched it in a few years, then donate it. Donate to a homeless shelter or somewhere it could really be put to good use.
Cleaning Rags
You want to cycle through these regularly so that they don’t get too ratty.
Forgotten Take Out Menus
If you haven’t look at it in a while, recycle it.
Some Things Aren’t Safe To Keep!
Outdated Medicine
You definitely don’t want to keep this around. Be sure to dispose of your medicine in a safe way. See these tips from the FDA.
Cards
If you absolutely cannot part with it, put all of your cards together in a scrap book.
Old Shoes
Keep one pair for working in the yard.
Old Spices
While spices don’t expire, they do lose their flavor after a while. Go through your cabinets and decide what is still good to cook with! Replace anything that is lackluster.
Games with Missing Pieces
You can give it a grace period in case you find the missing piece.
Why Are You Keeping These?
Dried up Nail Polish
Dry nail polish is useless and won’t even look good if you try to apply it.
Video Games
If no one has touched the video game in a few years, you’re probably safe to donate it to a school in need.
Unworn Jewelry
Go through your jewelry and set aside anything you haven’t worn in a while. Gift it to a neighbor, a daughter, or donate it to Goodwill.
Expired Food
This is something you should do on a regular basis. Check food in the fridge, freezer, and pantry and get rid of anything expired.
Unused Perfume or Cologne
If it smells gross or you don’t like it, then get rid of it.
We Are All Going To Feel SO Much Better After This!
Old Towels
Towels can only be used for so long until they get a little icky. Downgrade any yucky towels to cleaning supplies.
Old Plastic Containers
If you have plastic containers that are so old they still smell like last week’s lunch, throw it out and get new stuff. But be sure to recycle these containers.
Old Bills
Get rid of them, period. Consider switching to online banking to save paper and space! Be sure to shred any important documents.
Old Paychecks
Any paycheck older than two years can go straight to the shredder.
Extra Bedding
Keep two sets per bed; that’s all you need. Everything else can be donated to Goodwill.
Ruined Hair Ties
If it’s too stretched out, throw it away. You’re never going to use it again.
Some Of This Stuff Is Crazy!
Old Newspaper
We all have the habit of collecting newspapers for their deals and coupons. Anything that’s a month old can probably be recycled.
Ticket Stubs
These are really pointless to keep in most cases. If you just HAVE to have them, make a little scrapbook for the stubs so they aren’t randomly floating around.
Extra Cushions and Couch Pillows
Throw away any cushions or couch pillows that you aren’t currently using. Or, donate to a thrift store so they can be brought back to life.
Small clothes
Clothes that are 2 sizes too small or more should be donated or thrown out. If you lose that weight you want, then reward yourself with new clothes.
Useless Things To Throw Away Now
Unreturned items
We all have those items that we meant to return but never got around to it. Don’t just keep them around, donate! If they’re in good shape, consider reselling them online!
Unneeded notebooks
Keep a few for future classes or note taking, but recycle any that are ratty, torn up, or ripped.
Pens and pencils
Choose your favorites and the ones that work best, and then get rid of the rest.
Little shampoo bottles
Keep a few of these for when you travel but don’t overload on them. Five at the most should be plenty.
Unnecessary knick-knacks
If the trinket doesn’t hold sentimental value or a reminder from some fun vacation, then it may be time to find it a new home. Excess knick-knacks get in the way and build up dust.
Time To Toss These Things!
Unmatched cords
Don’t hold onto those cords whose purpose you’re not sure of. If its partner electronic is missing or gone, just chuck the cord.
Old art projects
Hold onto them long enough to show your kids that you’re proud of them, and then get rid of them. If you really want, you can store them away, but you’ll probably never pull them out again.
Old wedding favors
Keep the most sentimental and important ones and then throw the rest out. The deflated balloons from the reception are probably a safe bet to throw out.
Christmas cards (yours and others)
Keep the last two years, if that. There’s really no need to keep Christmas cards after April, but it’s your call.
Forgotten holiday décor
Do you have Christmas elves that you always forget to put out every year? Just donate them and save yourself the hassle!
Old party supplies
Use up all of the leftover plates and utensils at your next dinner. That way they aren’t just sitting around collecting dust!
How Many Of These Things Have You Thrown Away So Far?
Too unique holiday décor
No point in keeping something around if it goes unused for 364 days of the year.
Disliked cleaning supplies
If there’s a cleaning chemical or a room deodorizing that you just don’t like, consider giving it to a neighbor. That way it can be put to use!
Flowerpots
Either plant a flower in it or donate it.
Old calendars
There’s absolutely no need to keep old calendars. Once the year is over, throw it out and get a new one!
Disliked movies
We sometimes buy movies that we end up not liking. Instead of just keeping it around your house, donate it or resell it online.
More Things You Don’t Need Cluttering Up Your Home
Multiple scissors
You really only need two pairs of scissors.
Extra ear buds
Do a sound check and throw away any pair that aren’t working like they should.
Unused hair accessories and supplies
If you don’t use them, consider donating them to a local Women’s Shelter.
Samples
We all love getting free samples. Either use them, donate them, or toss them out. Don’t just let them sit around.
You’re Doing Great!
Old phone accessories
If you have any old phone covers, styluses, or screen protectors, consider reselling them online.
Ribbons and strings
Organize or throw away all the ribbons and string you have.
Broken cups and kitchenware
Recycle or repurpose these items.
Tape measures
Keep one of them (maybe another in your car) and donate the rest.
Expired Coupons
There’s literally no reason to keep expired coupons! Definitely things to throw away right now.
Duplicate kitchen utensils
Maybe keep a few spatulas or whisks, but no need to have multiple cheese graters or pizza cutters.
Broken furniture
See if you can donate to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
Cookie cutters
If you have cookie cutters that you haven’t used in a year, it is time to part with them.
Is There A Yard Sale In Your Future?
Rarely used cake pans are things worth selling
Donate Bundt pans or other pans you never use.
Toiletries
Either use extra toiletries or toss them. If they’re unopened, you could donate them to a local homeless shelter.
Old Candy
While we all love candy, if you don’t remember buying it throw it out.
Used Chap Stick
Unless you know who it belongs to, used Chap Stick is definitely something you should just throw out.
Unused candles
If it sits in a closet unused, find it a new home by repurposing the jar or donating it.
Excess Jars
Keep what you need for storage or canning and then get rid of the rest.
Expired sunscreen
Throw out expired sunscreen.
Alarm clock
We have phones with alarm clocks.
How Many Things Do You Have So Far?
Unloved dog toys
If there’s a dog toy that isn’t getting attention, donate it to an animal shelter.
Extra key chains
Keep the ones you use and give away the rest.
Unused Recipe Books
You know what you will and won’t cook. So go through your recipe shelf and donate any cookbooks that you have yet to crack open.
Mystery Keys
If there’s no use for it, trash it.
Nametags
Toss out name tags and lanyards from conferences.
Carabiners
Keep one or two around. If you’re not a rock climber, then you won’t be using carabiners very often.
Disliked lotions
Lotions you don’t like belong in the trash.
Batteries
If you have old batteries, then either test them or recycle right away.
Combination lock
If you aren’t using it, then chuck it.
Paper weights
You can use anything as a paperweight, so no need to keep an object whose sole purpose is that.
Book marks
Keep a few nice ones and repurpose the rest.
Completed coloring books
Its purpose is complete.
Feeling Lighter Yet? It’s A Good Feeling!
Puzzles with missing pieces
There’s no point in keeping an incomplete puzzle.
Old invitations
While it may be good to remember all the weddings, birthdays, and graduations you went to, you don’t need to keep the invitations.
Dried out markers
Let them go and buy a new pack, if necessary.
Brochures
Keep the ones that you use and recycle the rest.
Disposable chopsticks
If you use chopsticks enough to keep disposable tubes, buy a reusable set.
Old glasses
Donate your old glasses.
Unused sunglasses
Donate the good ones.
It’s All Gonna Be Worth It, I Promise
Old flip-flops
Old flip-flops serve no purpose. Put them in the garbage and move on!
Unused Posters
All those old movie posters can go straight into the garbage.
Extra Decks of Cards
Keep a maximum of two decks of cards in your home.
Useless magnets
If they’re not being used just throw them out.
Phone Books
We have the Internet!
Broken Christmas Lights
If it doesn’t work, then throw it out.
Unused Hats
Donate your unused hats to charity.
Are We Feeling A Little Crazy?
Broken Ornaments
Just throw them away.
Bubble Wrap
No need to keep bubble wrap around. If you ever need it, just go and buy some.
Paper Plates
Paper goods are meant to be used, so don’t hoard them. Thin your collection if necessary.
Loyalty cards
Time to get the app!
Excess Chip Clips
Keep as many chip clips around as you have bags of chips. This will help you minimize junk food in your house and maximize space.
Gift cards
Use the gift card and throw it away when you’re done.
Go Digital!
Business cards
Keep all your contact information for your favorite businesses online.
Unused Vases
Keep as many as you actually use and then donate the rest.
Old textbooks
If you haven’t cracked open that biology textbook from college in a few years, just donate it.
CDs
Unless you actually use the CDs, just download them onto your computer or other electronic device and get rid of the CD.
Boom box
Toss it and treat yourself to something new.
Don’t Live By Sentimentality!
Old luggage
Luggage with missing wheels or broken zippers should be thrown right away. Don’t hassle with that in the airport or on vacation.
“Scrap Paper”
If you’re going to have scrap paper, keep a minimal amount.
Forgotten Instruments
Forgotten instruments only take up space and gather dust.
Instruction Manuals
Almost all instruction and user manuals are online now.
Whew! Stick With it!
Calculators
Nearly all phones have calculators on them so only keep the calculator if it’s for school or specific for work.
Mystery Remotes
If you have a remote but don’t know what it goes to, you’re probably safe to throw it away!
Sewing kits
You don’t need drawers full of sewing kits. One is enough.
You Can Do it!
Dry Erase Markers without board
No point in having the marker if there’s nothing to write on.
Dry Erase Board without Markers
Either buy the markers or donate the board to your child’s classroom.
Extra Pencil Sharpeners
You’re only ever going to need one pencil sharpener at a time, so keep one and junk the rest.
Rusty Tools
Toss any rusted tools and get some new ones.
Unused Yard Supplies
Broken hoses, unused seeds, and any other yard supplies that you don’t use should be thrown out.
Things That Make Us Scratch Our Heads
Dried Up Glue
What’s the point of having glue if it doesn’t work?
Orphan earrings
If you can’t find the other earring it’s time to say goodbye.
Dried Flowers
Only keep these if they serve some sentimental or romantic purpose.
Extra Photo Prints
Store the photos online and only keep one original in print.
Children’s Plates/Cups
If your kids have grown out of using these plates and cups then either donate them, or give them to friends and family with young kids.
Extra Office Supplies
Fifteen staplers may make you feel important, but fourteen of them are things to throw away. Do some clean up and donate any extra office supplies.
More Junk To Send To The Trash Can
Used ink cartridges
Most stores now have ink cartridge recycle systems so you can get your ink at a lower price.
Outdated Computer Software
Old DVDs or CDs from Windows ’95 are useless.
Old Wallets/Purses
Unused wallets and purses should go straight to thrift store. These are for sure things to throw away now.
Dull Pocket Knives
If you can’t sharpen it or it’s just too much of a hassle, consider reselling it to a collector.
Scattered Spare Change
Gather up all the spare change and take it to the bank!
Donations Count
Unused Picture Frames
Donate them.
Old Baby Gear
If it’s still relatively new then donate it.
Unused Sports Equipment
If you or your family haven’t touched the football pads or hockey sticks for a few years, you can probably donate them without much of a fuss.
Broken Clocks
Unless you want to fix it, just throw the broken clock away.
Why Do We Keep This Stuff?!
Ugly or Dead Plants
Don’t keep plants around the house if they don’t brighten up your day or the house.
Empty Bottles
Don’t keep soda bottles. They’re definitely one of the things to throw away now!
Partly Sentimental Stuff
If you’re on the edge about keeping something sentimental, then donate it. If it was really important then you would know right away to keep it. But these are definitely things to throw away now.
Outdated Electronics
A first generation iPod or Zune can probably be donated to a charity.
Excess Grocery Bags
Know your limits.
Finish What You Start
Neglected Projects: Finish Or Throw Away Now
If you started a project but haven’t touched it in the last few months, then either finish it up today or throw it away.
Extra Buttons
Unless you actually sew, get rid of extra buttons.
Dish Sponge
Now is a good time to throw out your old dish sponge and get a new one.
Old Contact Lens Case
These are to be regularly replaced for the health of your eyes. Your eye doctor would definitely add it to the list of things to throw away now.
Expired Canned Food
One of the most important things to throw away now. Just toss it out. Here’s how to keep better track of your food storage so things don’t go to waste.
Grab Another Trash Bag–You’re Almost Done!
Toothbrush
These should be replaced about every six months. But old toothbrushes can come in handy for other things!
Old Lightbulbs
Old lightbulbs are dangerous to keep around so dispose of them safely!
Dish Towels
Consider donating them to an animal shelter.
Majority of Your Junk Drawer Contains Things to Throw Away Now
Probably 90% of your junk drawer can be thrown out. Organize what’s left.
Old Pillows
Pillows should be replaced (or thoroughly washed) on a regular basis, especially if pets sleep in your bed. So add them to your pile of things to throw away now!
Now that you’ve cleared away the things to throw away now, it’s a great time for deep cleaning!
Lots of good tips, but one I don’t agree with….why would you throw something away, and then buy it new next time you need it? Ok, if ‘next time’ won’t be for 10 years. Bubble wrap for example We’ll use maybe 4 times a year and it costs quite a bit to buy, so I’d never throw it out just because the next use moment will be in a couple of months.
I agree with you,Cath.
I agree, this country tosses to much because “it’s cheap if I need it I’ll just buy another” that just put more crap in land fills. Why buy new when you can use what you have. Yes something should be tossed out, this list is very wasteful in my opinion.
I couldn’t bear to read the whole list. It was making me sick. Don’t suggest to throw out anything. Please try to live by the 3R’s.
That kind of thinking gives me stress hives. You know what, I’m going to throw some old junk away. How are you going to recycle old used emery boards or junky socks? Who has time to repair old holey underwear? Also, just because you put something in the recycle bin does not mean it gets recycled in the end. Put away your holier than thou 3 R’s.
You betcha I’m throwing out old packing materials and bubble wrap. Crazy.
Because some of us care more about our communities than ourselves?
Also, I have a full time job, a part time job, and I still darn my socks, pants, etc so they last longer. I only throw away things that can’t be used by anyone. Otherwise they get taken to the St. Vincent DePaul Society or Habitat store.
Ha! That’s a good one. The three “R” rules only go so far.
I completely agree Reduce Reuse Recycle!
Really??? Most of it makes total sense & they don’t actually say throw away unless it’s trash. Recommend donating or recycling. If this list was making you sick, you might be a hoarder.
no
As well as the Fact they aren’t going to be making bubble wrap much longer.
It has helped me. I am having a yard sale and made me realize I keep to much stuff.
I think I sense a shopping addict! I mean holy crap! I could sum up this post in one sentence : THROW OUT EVERYTHING AND CONTINUALLY BUY STUFF! Maybe it’s because I grew up poor or maybe it’s because I actually care about the Earth, but most of this list is a bunch of consumer driven wasteful BS!
She nay be referencing the stuff that comes in packages mailed to you. Often there is bubble wrap or packing peanuts that we might be tempted to save.
Another way to recycle old holey clothing is to put it in a bag clearly marked “fabric for recycling”, donate to Sal. Army or Goodwill and they will send it prob to China and make new cloth!
Donate EVERYTHING as opposed to tossing it. SOMEONE will use it.
I agree that a lot of this stuff is recyclable or can be repurposed. Also, if you are short on storage, consider multiple use items, in the case of holiday ware like serving platters or glasses. What’s important is what is happening at your social event, not drinking out of moose or reindeer mugs!
I disagree with Pamela Kemper. Random holey clothes in bags as rags are of no benefit to most charities. Volunteers will need to sort through them as in my experience rag people only take natural materials and refuse to collect bags with unsorted items. The rest is thrown, at a cost to the charity. I also disagree with “just donate everything because someone will use it”. It simply isn’t so – if you don’t use it and wouldn’t be able to sell it in a yard sale (or wouldn’t buy it if you were looking for such an item) then chances are a charity won’t be able to sell it in a charity shop either. Giving to specific others or swapping is another thing altogether, but don’t burden charity shops with just any old unwanted item just so you can feel good about not actually throwing things out.
Towels, if if they have a hole, or the edges are completely frayed all around .. DONTATE THEM to you local Vet or Animal Shelter!! There are Vet Services for TNR (Trap. Neuter. Release) that use them for caring for a cat that is feral and will be spayed/neutered and the-released at local areas where rescue organizations do what they can to keep the population down.
Killing stray cats is not keeping them from reproducing. TNR is. Lots of rescue organizations will even take a washcloth!!
Thank you Alex for the words of reason! I agree to it ALL
Alex,
Your are incorrect in your ASSUMPTIONS about what a charity wants. I recently attended a training with an executive from Goodwill. I told her that I sorted by yard sale, goodwill and trash. She told me much of what people throw away, they use. Yes, including stained clothing or clothing, linens, towels with holes. Also broken appliances and many mismatched items. Some they actually use for repair or training and others are for people looking for their missing Tupperware lid, etc. They are a large organization with thousands of employees, many with disabilities, who have satisfying jobs because of donations. A small charity may not find the same uses, but lumping them all together is a disservice.
Common sense should rule here. Is it something you would want to handle if you worked for a charity? Towels with holes in them: yes. Greasy, filthy toaster ovens (whether working or not): no. I worked for a non-profit charity for years and the garbage that a few people brought in was astounding, like nasty, dirty clothes. My guess is that even Goodwill doesn’t want those things. We would fill our dumpster with it. Unwearable clothing (but clean) was donated for rag weight. Nothing wrong with that. Baked on grime: no.
actually there are charity’s that take any material to be reused and re-purposed into NEW material
your here writing on the web so maybe do some research
Too many people throw away too much stuff these days as if we are living in a completely disposable society! there is far too much waste in the world, in the landfill sites and in the ocean
stop being so god damn wasteful!!!
you don’t have to throw things away to be tidy just organise yourself better!
Better, put the bag of holey clothes into one of those FOR PROFIT bins along the side of the road. Anything unwearable gets recycled into industrial rags.
In reply to Christine V. (I have not been on this site for a while…). They are not ASSUMPTIONS. I volunteer for a large charity and what I wrote is from personal experience. I was calling for some common sense. I, and many readers here, do not live in the USA and charities are different in different countries, maybe even different in different cities in the same country. So how about you get off your high horse. Just because YOUR charity accepts broken toasters doesn’t mean that everybody everywhere should now donate everything they don’t want anymore to just any charity.
I use those odds and ends scraps to make quilts to donate to shelters.
I agree with that. Or even make them to send to homeless people that need them. There are many craft projects that could be made with even small pieces of cloth.
Or, cut out squares from old tshirts, soak them in vinegar and a few drops of essential oil and use them to trap lint in your next drying cycle. You can also make shopping bags out of old t-shirts, and when all else fails, use them for dust rags or for cleaning up when changing the oil in the car.
My thinking exactly!! Some people can’t afford new clothing, especially not when they need it so, they go to places like Good Will where they can get good clothing, shoes, etc. for less than buying it new and they, like me are not too proud to wear hand me downs!
I buy all of my store bought shirts, skirts, pants, jeans, shorts and outerwear secondhand. It isn’t a money thing for me, although I appreciate the savings. I feel that it is more environmentally responsible. I am not contributing to an industry that is renowned for its labor abuses and pollution. I also make or modify a lot of my own clothing and accessories. My wardrobe fits well and no one would ever know it started out hanging in a rack at good will!
I also buy most of my furniture second hand because solid wood furniture is incredibly expensive brand new, and most older furniture is solid wood. It can be reupholstered or refinished if you don’t like the look of it, but new furniture doesn’t have such excellent bones. I also make my own simple furniture…
I also wanted to note, disposable chop sticks make excellent stirrers (I make our personal hygiene stuff too, and you don’t want to use metal bcz some things react with metal, and I don’t want to reuse bcz you only want what you intentionally put in your recipes in your recipes. I use disposable bamboo chopsticks so I’m not killing centuries old trees.
My sister lives in Florida, but she’s saved a large box of bubble wrap from packages in her office, and a large box of styrofoam peanuts, the same source. Though I live in another state, the shipping of lightweight material will be worth it when I move in a few months.
Socks… I use my to do the dusting , just put your hand in it and off you go…
I largely agree with you, but sometimes in smaller living spaces (apartments) it’s hard to hang onto all of this stuff. I emphasize the reduce, reuse, recycle model. along with DONATE.
Great idea!!!!
Totally agree with you 1000%. Many people cannot toss only to replace at a later date. Storage bins are there for their purpose. And we also need to think about keeping our planet clean and go green.
I agree. Old socks can be great rags. use for waxing the car, as a dust rag for furniture, etc. I keep old towels till you can see thru them. Then my family won’t use my good ones for cleaning up stuff.
I keep a few old socks for my swiffer and for dusting blinds and other things that it’s easy to do with my hands. I agree with the bubble wrap – I’m not spending that kind of money every time I need part of a roll of the stuff. Anything that can be recycled by the Girl Scouts or my crafty friends gets recycled instead of tossed as well. That much less stuff in the landfills
Greetings cards can be scanned, or grouped and photographed and stored on computer or iPad, then throw away.
I don’t think that you should have to throw anything out on that list! Many things can leave a lot of memories and laughter. So why throw away any of that stuff? You never know, it could come in handy some day. Maybe some of those things will be a good starter for your grandchildren or anyone who may need it.
Yes, I agree Jenny!
thanks for sharing.
A lot of these things should be recycled and not just thrown away!!!
That I find more to my heart…
I so agree. I keep seeing the words “throw away” and it is really disturbing to me. Donate! Recycle!
I agree that so many things can be donated. I had cams of old paint that was still good, but colors I would never use again. I donated them to our high school drama department. They use it to paint sets for their tbeatre productions.
That’s a really great idea, Aimee!
She did say to “recycle!” By saying “give it it to someone who needs it more”- boxes
“Donate jeans” you don’t like anymore. She even put a link in there of ways to “use old paint.” She says to use for “crafty endeavors!” I felt the whole post was about “recycling!” Did you even read the advice?? I guess not or you wouldn’t be making these idiotic comments! People you should really read before you start “commenting!!” It’s actually comical!
I know! Obviously these people just read the captions and not the advice! She used “donate” or “recycle” on EVERY SINGLE page! Don’t make negative comments if you aren’t going to take the time to read the suggestions!
Definitely doesn’t on page 28 or page 31! I didn’t feel like going back through all of the pages to give you a complete list, but maybe YOU should consider reading all of the suggestions!
Most of these people don’t take the time to read for comprehension, they would rather complain about why they disagree. She referenced “giving” several times in the article. Ugh… I hate internet police.
The post definitely encourages hoarding in subtle ways. Hoarders would love this post they are always saving everything to be reused at some later date or recycled!! We should recycle, and reuse, but not if it craps out your life. You are only human. A great first step is to simply consume less. Buy less stuff, no impulse shopping, stick to a list I say. One thing you have to realize also is that if you may reuse it in a year, will you remember where you put it? Will you remember you have it? Will you just end up buying it again anyway, because you can’t find it? Try to be reasonable.
I’m so glad I live in Oregon where we have so many places to recycle things. First at curbside, then the metro area has lots of places to recycle and/or donate things. There’s a store called Scraps in Portland that takes all kinds of things for people to craft with. Crayola has a program to recycle markers, where they send you a label and pay the postage! If you don’t want to ‘re-purpose’ something, give it to an organization that will. So much waste in our society already. I’m all for de-cluttering, but take some thought about getting rid of it in a way that doesn’t clog our planet with so much trash.
Do you know hoa I can do the crayola recycling? I googled and cant find it.. would appreciate the help.thanks in advance
If towels aren’t ratty or holey but have just lost their absorbency, they can be revived by running them thru one load on hot with one cup of white vinegar and then running thru again on hot with a cup of baking soda (no detergent or softener for either load) it gets built-up residue from softener and such out and even completely rids towels of that mildewy smell they seem to get over time! Just make sure you dry them completely right after you do this so they don’t have a chance to grow bacteria by sitting in the washer. That’s what makes them stinky 🙂
Awesome advice, Your Mom! Definitely gonna try this!
That’s a GREAT idea, however, we live in a condo and pay $2 to wash & dry each load… Its better for me to donate these items to an animal shelter than to rejuvenate them!
You know, you can actually soak them in the tub or sink with vinegar too right? Then wring them out and wash them per usual. This actually works a little better then putting the vinegar in your washer. It’s tedious but when I do this, especially with dish towels the difference is amazing.
$2 to do a load of towels is more epensive than probably $50 at least to replace them? That doesn’t add up!
I agree with many of these but worry about the environmental impact of this approach. We have too much, for sure, but just dumping it isn’t always the best choice.
‘Throw it away, throw it away..’ I’m really shocked about this post, nowhere did you mention recycling, you’re just encouraging people to add to our enormous garbage piles which is irresponsible. There are lots of ways unwanted goods can be reused. Old cards can be used for craft projects, give them to a local school. All old tech can be sold on ebay or Facebook. Animal hospitals would be very grateful for donations of linen and towels. Spice containers should be refilled, games can be given to thrift stores…..
I agree with Cath and Sarah.I understand it is not good to have clutter and things you have no room and /or use for but I don`t think it is good to clutter the Earth because we couldn`t refrain from accumulating things in the first place…Reduce,Re use and Recycle,the three Rs work better for me.
Actually, if you read the entire article, she did mention on almost every item that you should donate or recycle.
‘nowhere did you mention recycling’.
Hmm, I think someone wasn’t paying attention.
Recycle & Donate was mentioned on Every singel page.
Some of these things can be donated instead of thrown away, like the book, other people may enjoy them. As long as you take your trip to the thrift store weekly to toss things!
Thank you. I needed that!
I really wanted to read this, but I changed my mind once I got here and realized that I would have to click to 151 pages to see them all. That’s a nope!
Same here. I despise the whole slideshow webpages, not fun at all.
Melissa says: January 12, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Same here. I despise the whole slideshow webpages, not fun at all.
Agree completely! I really don’t like the format.
Totally agree! I hate this format!
Everything on here is throw away there are many, many, things that can be donated or even recycled. Sorry to be so honest but you seem like the person that just consumes and consumes and doesn’t recycle.
Never be sorry for the honesty in your beliefs! Own it. We got this!
Almost every single item has an idea of how it can be donated or recycled. WTH?
Most of the stuff can be recycled once has this symbol ♻ although was mentioned few times predominant message was throw it away, unless implied. I agree that pet rescue centres etc can use old towels but think certain sentimental things should be kept. I sometimes worry that our future generations will have no antiques or even artifacts from our lives as we live in a throw away instantly gratification society and we are more materialistic than spiritual and unfortunately many worship at the shopping centre instead of church.
Throw way your extra cups and then buy disposable cups that you can throw away????
that was my thought too. Then later it says to do the opposite with chopsticks?
Old shoes can be bad for your feet, especially athletic shoes that have lost their springy sole. I kept a few pairs for gardening. They were a little tight due to getting wet and drying again – over and over. I ended up getting blisters under my biggie toe nails. You don’t need to know the rest of the story.
Paperwork such as taxes, pay stubs, bills should be shredded unless you are inviting identity theft. I shred everything with my name on it – that paper cant go in the recycling but does break down quickly in the landfill. All other papers go to the recycling bins such as newspapers, magazines (nursing homes out here won’t take them), envelopes, advertising, etc.
I disagree with alot of these. I use our old towels all the time. For drop cloths or to clean up large spills. We use all oir large boxes for recycling since our town doesn’t collect it. Old socks make good dusting rags. And I never get rid of books. I love to read and have gone back and read books I haven’t read in years
Does anyone else read these things with a self-righteous tone of voice the author comes across as having. Same thing with the ‘You’re Doing ‘XYZ Thing’ Wrong’ authors.
I’m kind of over it. Personally.
nope, actually you kinda have to look in the mirror for that. While reading, I kept checking boxes or yes, already doing for more than half and not once did I feel like she was being self righteous. With all respect, if you hear that tone, usually it has to do with the tapes playing in your own head. But good for you for reaching out to see if it was just you…. no wonder you’re kind of over it. Now go REALLY get over it 🙂 I mean this ALL in the kindest way… though, intonation is often lost in writing as evidenced in your first post, so you will perhaps see this as nothing but a trolling criticism…
Nice response! She didn’t say if we read her ideas they were mandatory. Simple suggestions that may help others.
Don’t throw away old party supplies. Use them for regular meals until they are gone.
Or donate them.
Have a celebration dinner once in a while (everyone has something large or small to celebrate) and use the odd partyware. Or use the “leftover” partyware on the night you’re eating up the leftovers from the frig. Kids love this kind of thing.
My house is pretty cluttered yet I have none of these. To me it was a list of obvious rubbish! It’s the not so obvious stuff which clutters up a house.
I live in a very small house, (680 SF ), I only buy as I need, and when I look at pretty things on a store shelf, my first thought is where would I put that and do I really need it, it usually stays at the store. I store items in labelled containers, only have 2 sets of sheets, and enough cookware and dishes for 6 people, regularly edit everything in my house (3 times a year) it’s very cathartic to release yourself from “stuff” and I’m an avid recycler and reuse or compost almost all my waste, even shredded documents can be composted.
It’s essential that we change our language to focus on discarding not “throwing away.” While the post mentions other methods of passing things along, the title says “throw away,” and that is a concern.
Expiration dates mean nothing – if item does not smell or is moldy no need to throw out
The author of this article does discuss donating some of the items discussed. There are very few items that can not be be donated or repurposed. If you do not want or need an item you can donate it or you can give it to someone else that can use it. Chances are very good that someone else wants or needs that item. If you are looking to donate to get a tax write-off then you need to make sure that you are donating to a non-profit organization. There are numerous online sites that you can use to give things away, I use Craigslist and I, also, belong to a Facebook group that is specifically for local people to share/give/donate things to each other. The FB group operates under the GAG (Give, Ask, Get) concept. It has been really helpful for me because I hate to just throw things away when I know that they could be reused. I am, also, really into repurposing things.
I am very opposed to being such a disposable society. Especially, when there are so many people that are homeless, having a hard time getting by, and/or could use something that you no longer want and/or need and most things can be repaired, reused and/or repurposed.
???
Regarding old paint… Try asking the drama department of a local school. They are always painting sets and even if they don’t want the color you have they mix paints to get colors they need.
expired sunscreen and old shampoos and conditioner and everything in those categories should be taken to the
TOXIC WASTE COLLECTION along with old paint. They should not be put into landfill, because we don’t want it to leech into the earth.
Greatly disappointed in the majority of these tips. Towels and single socks for rags and NEVER throw away anything to buy something new. If it’s broken, repair it. Not enough donating, recycling, or thinking about what COULD be done with these things. Too many “tips” with the words or implication to “throw away”!
I donate NOTHING to Goodwill! The CEO of this company gets an outrageous salary. Plus only 3 cents of your dollar donation goes to help. Please check the main charities. Salvation Army, all Veterans charities donate so the poor people benefit.
“Goodwill” has none. Totally agree. BEWARE of “charities..” Too few are truly for the betterment of those in need.
Also St. VINCENT de Paul is a good one. Avoid Goodwill.
I saw and email that came across with email and the huge salary he received. I checked Snopes and they said it was totally incorrect and gave reasons why. If things sound unbelievable, check Snopes.
snipes said the figures were wrong, but the ceiling still gets a huge salary. they’re is as site that shows all charities and how much is actually used. only a few are at 65% of the money going where you intended. quite a few got the 35% mark. some that are quite popular only five 3 cents for every dollar. check them out carefully.
Dry erase markers write on glass, there are card games that require more than 3 decks (really fun games, too), replace your dish sponge for something that isn’t a disgusting harbinger of bacteria, and sometimes husbands get mad when you donate your “useless” electronic cords because they go to some obscure piece of equipment that you didn’t know they had and that they never use but somehow have a manly attachment to- so never donate something of your spouse’s without negotiation.
Other than that
-Donate what you can
-Recycle what you can. Old paint is included in my recycling link: http://paganpoet.com/recycle-list/
-Compost what you can. A lot of old clothes, natural fibers only, can be straight up composted.
-Only trash what you can’t donate, recycle, or compost.
Totally agree!
Nail polish has to go into hazardous waste, not the regular garbage.
Never store things in an old soda bottle and especially do not decant any liquids into them. Such silly advise! Recycle it’s safer
Carabiners? I would never toss a carabiner or any outdoor stuff. Always a use for that. Agree with the phone books, yet they keep showing up.
http://recycleyellowbook.com/opt-out-of-phonebook-delivery/
This link allows you to “opt out” of receiving any or all Yellow Pages books.
The one thing I can’t agree with is carabiners — we use them to make fencing out of cow panels, hang things from nails in the barn, as key chains that we can quickly unhook a key or two, the ways to use are endless!
Throw away movie posters, are you kidding me!? Actual posters, not the store bought kind, could be very marketable.
I echo the comments of many others here that “throw away” is not optimal. Finding a home for things that have use is preferred to discarding in the trash. Along with other methods of giving away (library, senior center, craigslist, church, school, thrift stores, good will/salvation army…) there’s an online presence FREECYCLE that has local groups. Check it out. I’ve given a lot of things away using this tool.
oh and PS, this is a great list – I’m doing/have done more than 60%, but there are 30 things I wrote down to get on top of RIGHT NOW. thanks for the reminder!
I may only use my cookie cutters once or twice a year, but my kids & now grandkids use them all the time. They use them when drawing & with play dough. I keep them in a bottom drawer & they all learned early that they could play in that draw all they want. By 6 months they loved to sit/stand there tossing them around & it kept them out of the other drawers/cupboards. It keeps them occupied & out of the way while I cook. I just make sure I wash thoroughly before I use them.
(oh dear, am i going to weigh in on all comments since I checked that “notify me” box :-)…. Well….. I keep my cookie cutters in coffee cans (covered and decorated and labeled) … i swear it’s ok to keep them if they’re organized like that and you do actually use them :-)… but I will definitely defer to WIR for the final word on this… what do i know, I’m trying to get RID of clutter too 🙂
Do not throw any paperwork away that shows basis in anything! Unless you have already sold it. You could be sorry if you have a big capital gain you have to pay tax on.
I use old single socks for dusting,especially my husband’s old single tube socks are great for putting over the ceiling fan blades to get the dust off.
Sounds like your 150 Things You Should Throw Away Right Now should have been – 150 Things You Should Recycle, Donate, Reuse, Sell, Give Away, Throw Away or just keep if you want to. I’m going to rid my house of clutter thanks to this list. I have that – where do I start brain which turns into going on Amazon to window shop. Wish me luck! It will look like a ghost town when I get through!
I found this info very helpful. It is great food for thought. I read comments first, and wasn’t going to read it because of all the negative comments. But glad I did. While toss it is in there some, there are lors of donate ideas. Like old towels to animal shelters. And if something is mentioned you would keep, great. I don’t think it was meant to throw everything away. Fit this info into your life as a help tool. And only had to click 38 times, more than one item stated per click. Thanks for ideas
Ok…broke but resourceful single mom here. I’m all for donating. But why in the world would you ever throw anything away? Don’t need it, recycle it. FYI Books can be resold, Nintendo game systems sell on eBay for almost $200, perfume that you sprayed once…sell or Regift. People don’t realize that what you bring to the Goodwill, ebayers are buying and reselling for huge profits. Watch what you throw away! Do your research first or donate to a charity or organization that will make good use of it. I didn’t see any mention of freecycle.org. An online gifting community. I use it weekly. Post unwanted items and gift it to someone in your community that needs it. Too much is being thrown away! We need to stop the waste!
I disagree with several of these things you say to toss as well. You say to throw out CDs that you don’t use as a CD anymore. I’m sorry, but computers and music devices like iPods die all the time. If I didn’t keep my CDs I would completely lose my music library. Also, you should absolutely not throw out your copies of your tax filings. You do not need to keep all the extra supportive documents after 7 years, but tax specialists recommend you keep your 1040 & state filing forms FOREVER as evidence you did file. The government can come after you for tax evasion at any time. They do not have a 7 year limitation. And I wouldn’t toss a good old fashioned alarm clock. There are plenty of times the one on my very fancy smartphone has not worked properly. Sometimes the latest, greatest technology isn’t so great.
To the person who commented on Goodwill – that is an old post that has been proven to be wrong. Check out snopes website for the rebuttal., Also I used to be on the Goodwill Board in my area and in our area all the money collected goes to help persons with disadvantages get jobs or support them in keeping jobs. CHECK the FACTS first. My daughter is one of their clients and has had tremendous support.
“Old art projects” I would keep on display for so long but before throwing out or instead of keeping something and let it add up and collecting dust I took a picture of it, best way to keep tracking of wonderful artwork from the kiddies
I think I only saw once where an item was suggested it could be sold. A lot of that stuff can be sold online, or in garage sales. Some people maybe could use the money, and they wouldn’t get that if they threw it out. Not everything has to be thrown away, donated, or recycled. If you try to sell it and can’t, then look into donation or recycling. Unless you just want it gone immediately or don’t need or want the extra money, then don’t try to sell. Just give it away.
I quit reading when it said to only keep 2 sets of bedding. I only have one. All these seemed like no brainers; suggestions for hoarders; or those that have disposable money.
Old toothbrushes have many uses for cleaning nooks & crannies – sink overflows, around taps, fiddly bits on cookers to name a few. Then toss when the next toothbruch is available.
Yes, they are! They are great for cleaning those tiny little spaces in your car, also. I have one with my cleaning supplies, but the rest can be tossed:)
This is great advice – I have been working on de-cluttering for almost two weeks now and I cannot even believe how liberating and fresh it feels.
Even my hubs is on the bandwagon now – he just completely gutted and reconfigured out oddly shapped walk-in pantry and now it is AWESOME!
I donate anything useful and toss junk, and it was junk in my cabinets and undersink, and vanity drawers and misc drawers- I found so many duplicates of things, ugh.
It is so liberating! In the past, I have had such a hard time throwing anything away. As I de-clutter, I feel more and more free, and less and less likely to keep stuff I don’t need.
OK so here’s a rant. I volunteer in a charity shop and one of our pet peeves is receiving “donations” of goods that really should have been thrown. A charity shop should not be used as a dumping ground for any old thing “that someone might want” so you can feel good about not throwing things out yourself. We never refuse donations and accept them with a smile and a thanks, but a LOT is thrown in the skip (which actually costs the charity to get emptied). It also overburdens the volunteers who spend hours sorting through donations deciding what to put on the limited shop floor space. What NOT to donate: broken toys or toys with parts missing (why do you believe other people would not mind missing parts when you do?), soft toys that are faded/overwashed/grubby/scribbled on, books with faded or bent covers/water stains/cracked backs, clothing with broken zips/stains/holes/missing buttons, underwear and hosiery unless with shop tags or still in packaging, clothing in the awkward ‘twilight zone’ between out of fashion and interesting retro, torn curtains already used as tarps for painting jobs, stained or threadbare linens and towels (unless clearly retro/collectable), chipped or stained china (particularly cheap mugs and old cheap drinking glasses), furniture with broken legs etc. What is USEFUL to donate: clothes hangers, curtains without holes but can be slightly faded, relatively recent used clothing or retro clothing (in very general terms anything under 5 years and over 20 years old), any clothing that still has a sales tag on it regardless of age, blue jeans of any age, VHS tapes (yes! they sell really well), cables/phone chargers especially if you know what they belonged to, unchipped crockery and kitchenware, anything still in box/wrapping such as kitchen goods and linens, clean hand bags with linings intact, old style hard cover suitcases, shoes in good condition and anything with a retro feel. The best solution to clutter? Stop buying so much stuff yourself, don’t get drawn into “free gift with purchase” deals, don’t overstock on things like gift wrap (brown paper with hemp string is actually a trendy gift wrap) and generally refuse to let things into your house that you realistically know you won’t use. Refuse receipts for small items. Scan paperwork and keep an electronic copy. When you buy electronics keep all accessories in a ziplock bag with a clear label (“Alice – Nikon camera Aug 2015”) so you know what it belongs to. Organise and store things better and your house will be much less cluttered. But as for donations, for every item ask yourself: “Can I reasonably expect someone to BUY it in this condition?”
I completely agree. I have started to throw away more and more of my kids’ clothes, because if it has holes or big {obvious} stains, I wouldn’t expect someone else to wear it. So, yes! Be mindful in what you donate and don’t have a panic attack over deciding to simply throw something away…. Like I used to;)
We have big green bins around here that take torn, stained clothes and fabric, and make new fabrics with them..
Hi Alex, I found a couple of useful things in your rant that I have not been doing: hangers (wire, i’ve been sending back to cleaners, plastic, i put in the recycle bin – i’ll start donating them) chargers and cables. i JUST took a big bag to recycle at BEST BUYS – I’ll bring to you. I have been scanning my user guides and other appliance documentation for years and tagging accessories in bags (it can be overwhelming if you don’t). My delimma is i have a box of new things that aren’t JUNK, but I wouldn’t say they are something that anyone would buy… it’s tsotchke but it weird to throw these things in the trash. Freebies, gifts, small souvenirs… eeek. they are clutter and I have them all in a box but no home for them :-(. Thanks for the useful info.
All those chargers cables old cell phones and the like can be taken to Verizon or ATT and probably others. The tech gadgets are used to provide phones to service members and their families.
Well said!!!
Thanks for a very concise list of items NOT to donate. I help at a location in Winrer Park, FL and have had bags of ‘sweepings’ from the closet floor dumped into a bag and then filthy, worn, smelly clothes thrown o too. I love to thrift shop for fun, need and joy. Now that even Goodwill is apx $3.79 for a used womN’s blouse that cost can reLly add up for some people. I think before I donate to ask myself: ‘would I spend $3.79 for this really worn, outdated ugly blouse or should I put in a rag bag donate box. My good purchasing mistakes, of course, are donated to places. But, do I want to foist beat up stuff on people who really need something that is not junk, broken, not repairable…when u could get a cute top for $.25 20 years ago …well…that cute top is now close to $3-$4. It’s not cheap at thrift stores now. Even 50% off day means some of the stuff is now really only worth 25% of the cost. My take away thiught is: would you buy ‘it’ again? If it’s really crap…it’s really crap. Peace.
Most of these are helpful tips, but there are better ways than throwing away some items. For instance, instead of tossing wire cleaners’ hangers I save them and return them to my dry cleaners, which they encourage. Nail polish is actually considered a hazardous material and should be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility. Our city has a hazardous materials round up twice a month at the local waste facility that takes all kinds is stuff too toxic to trash. Electric cords with transformers fall into that category, too.
I agree it’s important to de-clutter as much as possible, but it’s equally important to do it in an environmentally responsible way.
I think that there has to be a happy medium between excessively throwing things away only to go out and buy it new and keeping things bc we might be able to use it for something, that borders on hoarding! I agree with a lot of your suggestions but disagree with others! I’m a big believer in recycling! Yes it can be time consuming but I prefer to do my part to help save the earth for my children and their families. I like to try and fix something before I toss it in the trash! My motto is “Make do, do without, use it up and wear it out unless it’s beyond help or just hideous then I throw it out! If you cut out the retail therapy, even for a month every so often, you’d be amazed how much less stuff you have and how much more money you have in the bank!
A note on getting rid of broken electronics: Some places (Staples, among others) have electronics recycling.
Disposing of batteries: Some areas have toxic waste disposal days, they take batteries, paint, etc. Also, when storing batteries for disposal, even though they are spent, there is still enough of a charge to start an electrical fire so you should put a piece of electrical tape over the positive end (the bump) or the whole top of a 9 volt.
Do not throw old towels out. Please bring to your local animal shelter. The workers and animals will greatly appreciate your donations.
???
I take a picture of especially good art projects or scan them in. I scan in those little slips of paper from the doctor saying how tall and how much my kids weigh, and every year I make a family book on shutterfly with these things in it.
Throw out/donate books? Never. By the time I build a new house, I’ll be ready for my beautiful office/library. I buy the hardback of books I love.
Get rid of CDs and boom boxes? Only when digital music and players can duplicate the quality of sound. Lossless music is still expensive and would require multiple iPods to hold because of the file size.
I always need at least two measuring tapes when building or constructing something. And I keep two cloth tapes, one in my sewing box and one in my closet.
Tools have a tendency to get rust on them….clean and maintain them. Throwing out expensive tools because they have rust on them is like throwing out expensive cookware because something was cooked in it that will require a little extra cleaning.
batteries and nail polish should never go in trash as this article states! They need to be disposed of at a haz waste facility!
Unused books can happily be donated to your nearest VA hospital, clinic, nursing home, or veterans’ organization.
So far, 2 sets of bedding per bed, yes! Unless you have any children or babies. In which, have 4 or 5 or 6 sheet sets. ESPECIALLY if potty training!
Batteries: come on now! Once bought (in bulk anyways..) put straight into the refrigerator. This makes “shelf life” nearly unexpirable.
“Little shampoo bottles” + any and all “travel size” toiletries are GREATLY appreciated at all homeless shelters.
Don’t have time to donate? Make little “care packages” from leftover hotel toiletries to give to the homeless/jobless standing at the highway intersection.
I do not give money to these individuals, but do always have a couple of zip lock bags w hotel toiletries, dentist samples, maybe a few cough drops, pack of crackers and an orange on hand.
—–
YOUR family Christmas cards- save one each year to frame, and reserve one per child’s scrapbook!
Expiration dates on food and even medications are the biggest corporate money-making scam going – and an absolutely massive source of waste. Your nose and eyeballs will know when food has gone bad, and most of it is good for *ages* past the expiration date.
If a can is bulging, or has too much rust around the opening, toss it. Otherwise, open it up and check the contents for yourself first. Canning was *invented* to keep food for ages and ages, and the technology has only gotten better with time, not worse.
Medications? I used to work for a major pharmaceutical company, and they told us straight out that expiration dates are really only part of a tracking system that includes the lot numbers, and the drugs are good until they disintegrate and/or start smelling bad. They may lose some potency, but they will still work. Neither your pharmacist nor your doctor can tell you this, or dispense expired meds, but you do certainly not have to toss them when they are still just fine.
You won’t want to do this with medication upon which your life depends, but you won’t be having any of that left over to worry about anyways. Certainly with things like aspirin and antihistamines that you don’t use all the time, you can keep them without any worry at all.
As good as this advice seems to be, you have to take into account two things…budget & space. If you have the space & can keep it organized, why buy new on a number of these things? Even if infrequently used?
Budget wise…a lot of those things come in say (example) 4 to a pack & I need 2 now & won’t need the other 2 for 6 mo…I WILL hang onto the other two! Or find a friend to go in half with me to save space.
On that note, we clean out old clothes, shoes, toys, cards, papers, etc on at least a quarterly basis. My kids are growing & I don’t have room to save their old stuff. Except jeans. My oldest is easy on jeans, so my middle one gets a lot of those…which he then destroys beyond all use for another person. Sometimes we’ve been lucky & he’s grown fast enough to hand down a few pair!
Please do not donate any old games to schools “in need”. I work in a low income school and we don’t want anyones old, junky games. Please donate only new items or money for items or buy something off the teacher’s wish list. These kids struggle enough without having people’s old stuff tossed at them. They know what new games look like. Plus the teachers get handed a bunch of stuff they can’t use and don’t want. These lists are a nice idea but schools are not a dumping zone.
MM – well said. This is the point I am trying to make for charity shops too. By all means freecycle or use old items in your own craft projects or as your own cleaning rags or donate specific items to selected organisations (like old towels to animal shelters). But don’t burden charity shops (or schools in need, as you say) with crappy old things “because someone might want it” just so you feel better for not throwing it out.
I own a small business, and my calendar goes with my tax records. I record not only my appointments with clients, but any business mileage I have on a particular day. It is on-the-spot documentation in case of audit.
PLEASE don’t just get rid of your kids’ old video games (or collectibles) without letting them know first. Collecting old games is quite the hobby for some people, and if you’re still holding onto some old retro games, they could be worth something.
Carabiners can be used to put bags of groceries on, rather than have the handles cut into your hands.
If you receive gift cards from places you’ll never visit, regift them.
I use old luggage to store other items such as fabric, craft supplies, etc.
CDs that come from businesses, etc, can be hung from shepherd hooks near your garden, or fruit trees, to keep birds and critters away. They swing and spin and reflect light .
I keep my old calendars for several years, in the boxes with tax receipts and paperwork. Usually I’ve written doctor’s appointments on them, and the mileage to and from appointments can be deducted on your medical expenses, if you have a particularly unhealthy year.
There is an organization that wants your old Christmas cards–https://stjudesranch.org/about-us/recycled-card-program/.
Old newspapers can be dampened and placed in flower beds, garden paths, etc. Covered with mulch, or used as the bottom layer in “lasagna gardening”, they help block weeds, and break down into great compost material.
Our library has a table for magazines, and they go like hotcakes. I took a year’s worth of Prevention and Real Simple and they were being grabbed up almost as soon as I pulled them out of the bag. I always see seniors there. Hey, recipes are recipes, right?
She has many good ideas, and some of these I have already done (and need to repeat), but keep in mind that someone may need something you no longer want!
NEVER throw out tax papers! The IRS can at any time go back and request them or audit you! Advice from a tax professional!
Best Buy will accept a LOT of electronics for recycling, including old TVs (size limit), remotes, cell phones, and more, and they will also accept used toner cartridges for recycling (if the manufacturer doesn’t already offer that option). Apple Stores will accept cell phones and iPods/iPads for recycling, and if you are purchasing a new iPod, iPad or iPhone, you might be able to get credit for the recycled object (apple.com/recycling).
I started my own “trend” (admittedly, no one has copied it) for wearing odd earrings a few years ago. I particularly favour one dangly and one stud.
Very surprised that she would suggest donating games with missing pieces — if you can’t play the game without all the pieces, why would anyone else be able to? Donating chipped dishes? I don’t think so. While the article had some good ideas, there was an obvious lack of “reduce, re-use, recycle”
If you put two of the wire hangers together, you cover them with a simple to do yarn weave.. you have great hangers! its a nice craft for the kids to do. Also, what with the price of metal today- you never should throw metal away.. I can’t believe the money I get for metal these days. Recycle it don’t toss it please.
Excellent list. Already do quite a lot but good to have a reminder.
I love all the replies. My Son loves to throw things out, expired. I keep telling them do not throw my things out it is still good. His Daughter my lovely Granddaughter has taken after him. I try to stock up on things for the holidays. I started gettings ready for my Shrimp Cocktail at Christmas, I couldn’t find the 2 large packages of jumbo shrimp, I was frantic I needed it that night, finally I asked my Granddaughter if she knew where it was. You have already guessed by now, she threw it out because it had ice inside the package, and it looked gross. After I explained to the process of freezing and the different ways for various reasons and not to throw things out if it didn’t smell bad, look bad or have green growing on it I don’t care what Her, Dad said “Do Not Throw ANYTHING Out At My House Without asking me first. She hasn’t thrown anything out since. She was maybe 10-12 years old at the time, now 26. Now she is taking care of me, I came into a nursing home, she was packing things in my apartment she told me she didn’t throw anything out, she took it home and nothing was growing that shouldn’t be. My Son, that’s a different story.
Wow, are many of these suggestions wasteful. Stop buying so much stuff that you feel the need to toss out when it’s worn, Geesh, save some money and consider Earth’s limited resources.
I thought we had clutter till I read this. We literally keep none of this.. Kind of clears up why we have so much garbage all the time!
Except tape measures (my husband has hands on job/construction) plus they always go missing during DIY projects I’m glad he has 15!
Consider brining extra flower vases to your local mom and pop flower shop!
You had me right up to the tossing of rusty tools. Very few tools cant be revived, and there is no excuse for not knowing how to maintain tools. As you kept saying, this age of technology allows you to exercise your Google-fu and learn hard skills
Some I agree with…others, not so much. I would never “get rid of” and old IPOD. Some of them are in very high demand as they have much greater capacity than newer ones. They actually have a good amount of value.
Funny, I just read a pin that was called “What things to NEVER throw away”, and about half of the items listed here were listed there too! I think these lists should just make us think and should be taken with a grain of salt and a load of common sense. If your community doesn’t offer recycling and you’re 30 miles each way from somewhere that does and you’re struggling to keep your life in order, then throw it away and find another way to be good to the environment. If you are an inconsiderate consumer that doesn’t even consider your impact on the planet, you probably wouldn’t read this anyway and finally, maybe it’s time in your life to make some changes and declutter, repurpose, recycle, sell, regift or donate. Take what works for you and move on. Life’s reality is not the same for everyone and not the same for each of us in different chapters of our lives. Be kind to each other; it’s better to learn from each other than to rush to judgment. Just sayin’.
These are all REALLY great suggestions for the clutter-hoic or a boarder-line hoarder who need to make a life style change. That kind of person needs to realize that this kind of change will take a lot of time, practice and work to integrate the “I don’t have to keep this forever” mentality, and they will have to take it in steps, work on a few things every month or so until it becomes a habit. But more importantly, the other mentality you MUST adopt if you want to change your cluttered life is that you have to actually CARE. Organized people CARE about clutter … and we don’t want to see it, so we WORK hard at keeping it down EVERYDAY. As we work at it, the habit of constantly de-cluttering becomes automatic to us. You, however, will never see a change or difference if you don’t CARE to change, if you don’t have a desire to change. This works with every aspect of life, adopting new habits or eradicating old ones. So, if you are serious about it, get ready to amp up your determination and desire, these suggestions WILL get you started! Good Luck and break free! “Use it up, wear it out or throw it out!” I like to donate anything that is still useful, but if it’s garbage, broken, too dirty to clean, or you don’t want to clean it, toss it! Also, if it’s stored in a box in your garage for more than 5 years … (1 year) it’s time to clean out!
keep single socks for dusting
Regarding expired coupons, military families overseas can use manufacturer coupons up to 6 months after they expire. This explains more about the rules and how to send them: https://supportourtroops.org/troopons?gclid=CPP0k5LKlswCFVA8gQodjYgJag
I prefer to donate old bedding, towels, newspaper, plastic bowls etc… to animal shelters. Additionally, I keep Christmas cards from year to year. If a family member passes away I will always have a memorable greeting from them.
Donate your led towels to a pet rescue group. They can always use them!
The most useful piece of advice I have received when it comes to donating clothes and other items to charities is to think if it would be something that you would personally want or use. If it’s not, then you shouldn’t donate it. I would think that this would still apply to thrift stores as well. No one wants stained or holey clothes. When people are already down on their luck, they don’t need to feel worse.
The same applies for donating food. A lot of food banks won’t even take food that has expired or is past the best by date. Some woman near where I live was going through a hard time and she was so excited to get a box of cake mix to make her daughter a birthday cake. When she went to bake the cake, she opened the mix and found it was full of bugs. How terrible.
Another thing to note, most old sneakers and jeans (in any condition) can be taken to be reused. There is a group where I live that takes old sneakers and decides whether they can be used for those in need. if they can’t, they get taken somewhere to be recycled/re-purposed. Ripped jeans are also recycled to make a certain kind of insulation.
If you look around hard enough, you can usually find a specific group or organization that can point you in the right direction to eliminate waste going into landfills without overloading the volunteers at a charity or the workers at a thrift store.
Are some of you not reading the article and just commenting? It doesn’t say put everything in a landfill. It says get rid of it whether it’s recycling, donating and yes *gasp* sometimes throwing it in the garbage can. If you have a firm attachment to every mismatched holey sock floating around your home, you might be a hoarder…just saying.
The intention of this list is wonderful although I think a lot of items suggested be thrown in the trash can be recycled – but perhaps that also depends on where you live. In my area, counties hold an annual recycling day where they collect electronics, electrical items, paints, & so on that should not be thrown in the trash. The police departments collect expired medicines. Goodwill accepts unusable clothes & shoes to recycle the fabric. I personally prefer donating to Goodwill because they help the community. St. Jude’s accepts some brands of greeting cards.
Not everything can be recycled, and depending on what you are getting rid of, it may take some work to find a place that will take it. But I would rather take the time to donate or recycle items we no longer need than throwing it away.
Don’t throw away old towels. Take them to your local animal control. They are always in need of towels.
Speaking from experience on pay stubs. Keep 5 years minimum! When my husband passed away I needed 5 years to PROVE that he helped provide over half the care money wise for my kids, his step children. If I didn’t have them it would have been a nightmare to get them.
I’m kinda surprised so many people agree that “no one wants stained clothes” when Pinterest is full of refashion projects that would work perfectly with stained clothes…
That is very true! I do it myself all the time
OLD TOWELS and PILLOWS: Donate your local animal shelter and/or pet groomers shop. My vet has an attached grooming area and boarding area. They very happy when they see me walk in with bags of (clean) old pillows, cushions, and towels. Call around. You’d be amazed at shops that need those mismatched and/or worn towels for grooming stations and (clean) pillows for kennels.
I don’t think we have or use many of the things on that list to begin with. Hubby is self-employed and has a home office. He has extra office supplies just like any office. Nope, that’s not going to change. And everyone has an alarm clock or calculator on their phone? Think again. Some of us don’t, so we do have alarm clocks and adding machines/calculators and it’s going to stay that way. I use my kitchen and bath towels and even sheets until they have to be replaced because there is practically nothing left and even then, we use them for rags or drop cloths. We’re just too cheap to buy new all the time. I wear my shoes until the fall apart. I didn’t find the article especially helpful and I did find it kind of condescending. Then again, I’m a frugal Yankee and I’m careful about what and how much I buy and I get all I can out of everything I buy.
Not sure what an unloved dog toy is. My dogs play with all their toys until there is nothing left
Great, useful ideas.
These are good ideas but a couple of things occurred to me – 1) most dry cleaners are happy to take your wire hangers and reuse them. 2) if nail polish isn’t completely dry (and it’s one you love that’s discontinued) shake it up, put a few drops of polish remover in and shake again. This will thin it enough to use up. 3) I set old jar candles that have a bit left and smell good on a high shelf to make my closets smell good! 4) Don’t pitch old posters if they are in good shape and can be dated to a specific concert! Your grandkids might make a bundle – I wish we had saved one that advertised Jefferson Airplane Live at the Fillmore East!! 5) you can keep post earrings together by putting the back on one and inserting the post of the other through one of the loops. Put the back on that one and you’re set.
One tape measure?! You obviously don’t live with a “fix it” man in your house. LOL.
A very good article, thoughtful, and a lot of time put into it. The purpose of the article isn’t to tell you exactly what to throw out or to ‘throw it all in the trash’. The writer takes time to tell you on each item to either trash this (used or torn clothing), donate it (nicer clothing). Remember it’s just a well thought out list, one for people to get ideas from. You of course as the reader have the choice of what you choose off the list to get rid of and how to dispose of it. Even though it’s from 2015, I just found it and I’m saving it as a reference list. This will help me a great deal while de-cluttering my own home. Thank you for all your effort put into this article! ~Ravey