Has the mild weather got you thinking about spring cleaning? You can get a head start by getting rid of items in your home that are not being used. “Just in case” often becomes, just wasted space.
1. OLD CONDIMENT PACKETS
Your favorite takeout place gives you enough packets for four people when you're ordering for two, but you really don't want the unfortunate surprise of opening up a drawer and finding one has sprung a leak.
2. KNIVES THAT NO LONGER CUT
Especially steak knives that were cheap to begin with and can't easily be sharpened. They're actually more harmful and dangerous than your sharpest knife. However, you could still donate it - old knives could be helpful for crafting and other purposes. Just wrap the blade with cardboard beforehand (and label it!) for safety.
3. EXCESS HAIR TIES
Your hair deserves something better than something that's been on your floor for who knows how long.
4. YOUR KID'S BABY STUFF
We'll acknowledge that it's seriously sad to get rid of those old onesies. But if the clothes are in good condition, they can help a family in need.
5. OLD REFERENCE BOOKS
Outdated information won't expand your horizons, so unless you use these for historical reference for some reason, pass them on. Though many thrift stores say no to outdated reference books, you might find that some community groups can use them for crafting and collages.
6. FORMER BEST-SELLING PAPERBACKS
Pass on your former favorite beach reads to friends by holding a book swap. Or, find a Little Free Library - these are mini-bookshelves that pop up anywhere filled with free books to take. (P.S.: Your actual library doesn't need these.)
7. OLD MEDICATION
We tend to hold onto these for fear of making a mistake throwing out old pills, rather than a temptation to hold onto these for future maladies. For peace of mind, follow the FDA's advice by first checking to see if your old medication is on the list of those that should be flushed. If not, they recommend tossing medications by mixing it into old kitty litter (really), and blacking out any info on your prescription bottles.
8. OLD SPICES
Because at some point, it's no longer cinnamon - it's flavorless dust.
9. CRAFT SUPPLIES FROM YOUR "HOBBY FLINGS"
You heard that knitting can be great for de-stressing, so you threw yourself into … buying supplies for knitting. Either knit, or don't. If you're leaning toward not, donate these excess supplies to a local senior center.
10. OLD SHEETS & TOWELS
They've been washed so many times they're practically translucent. Like old towels, many animal shelters need these for keeping pups and kitties warm.
11. CDS
There are arguments to be made for hanging onto these, but anything that you don't love can go straight to a thrift store. Anything you do love? Take a day to upload it to your computer.
12. PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS
You know not to throw them out, so you hold onto them in an ever-increasing mass. Round 'em up, then take them to a place that'll recycle them for you.
13. PROMOTIONAL T-SHIRTS
You probably won't wear that random t-shirt you got free with a charity donation, so either donate it or DIY with it.
14. CANVAS AND REUSABLE TOTES
If you frequent eco-friendly marketplaces yet always manage to forget a tote, you've likely developed quite a collection. But these aren't eco-friendly if you're not using them more than once. Donate the excess to a charity, or give them to friends the next time you head to a flea market
15. VHS TAPES
Don't fall for that eBay urban legend that certain tapes command a ton of money. Though many thrift stores will refuse these donations, VHS tapes can often be recycled with e-waste.
16. CLEAR FLORIST VASES
These freebies pile up underneath sinks across the country, taking up real estate that's needed for cleaning supplies.
17. EXTRA BUTTONS FROM CARDIGANS/JACKETS/PANTS
With the way clothes are made these days, by the time you need to replace the button on your cardigan, it'll be worn out. Collect these into one container with other buttons, then give to a kid for crafting (buttons are like jewels to kids for some reason), or donate to your favorite sewing friend. Better yet, try one of these new ways to use buttons around the house.
18. ANY PLASTIC CONTAINER WITHOUT A LID
Where do they go? Maybe one day Neil deGrasse Tyson can teach us about the black hole these manage to find. Until then, recycle any without a partner.
19. FANCY MOISTURIZERS FROM FOREVER AGO
This is a special shout-out for those types who invest in skincare, then become too afraid to use it up too quickly, then just flat-out don't use it. It's safe to assume these little jars are now filled with bacteria.
20. OLD MAKEUP
Again, you might hang onto that ancient mascara because it was expensive, but using old eye makeup can lead to a nasty infection. That's why experts recommend tossing it after three months.
21. WIRE HANGERS
We keep a few on hand since they're handy for random household use, but they do stretch out clothes. And yes, you can recycle them!
22. PLASTIC HANGERS
They're better than wire, sure, but can also stretch out clothing. Donate these as you switch to velvet hangers for slippery items and inexpensive wood hangers for jackets and other hangables.
23. YOUR LOOFAH
Apparently, these are only supposed to have a lifespan of only 3 weeks before they actually get you dirtier than cleaner.
24. DEAD BATTERIES
It's such a tease when you need new batteries for the remote, and none from the junk drawer actually work.
25. DAMAGED DISHES
A chip may not seem like a problem, but over time, water can soak into the plate with every wash, leading to nasty bacteria growth. Even if you take a casual attitude towards bacteria threats, the moisture can create bigger cracks if the plate or bowl is microwaved.
26. FORGOTTEN CONDIMENTS IN YOUR FRIDGE
Are you hosting a hot dog eating contest? If not, there's no great reason to have 10 different bottles of mustard. It's likely that the bottles are all kind of dried out anyway.
27. COSTUME JEWELRY YOU CAN'T STAND
We're not talking about the valuable gems and jewelry made from precious metals, but the cheaper pieces that are usually made of plastic. Maybe it was a gift. Maybe it was a bargain too good to pass up. Whatever it is, it gave you a weird rash or just never looked quite right went on. You guessed it: Off to the donation pile it goes.
28. PILES OF GREETING CARDS
This one is an emotional minefield, but you'll feel better once it's done. Give yourself to keep a few cards (especially if from a now-departed loved one) that are especially meaningful, but recycle the rest. Or, use them as the basis for a craft.
29. UNIDENTIFIABLE LEFTOVERS
If you can't identify that foil packet or filled freezer bag with a glance, toss it.
30. OLD NAIL POLISH
One of each color will suffice. You'll never, ever use all of it, and you could never tell the difference between "ballet pink" and "whisper pink" anyway.
31. PILES OF OFFICE SUPPLIES
Even if you work from home, you'll never go through 20 Post-it note pads. Donate them, especially to a non-profit or charitable organization.
32. CLOTHES THAT DON'T FIT
Follow this rule of thumb: If it's more than two sizes in any direction, chances are it'll be out of style by the time it fits. Don't let college-era clothes take up precious closet space (or brain space).
33. STACKS OF MAGAZINES
We give you permission to save a couple of prime vintage copies, otherwise, recycle the entire stack. If your collection goes back to include issues from the early '00s and above, it might be worth putting issues up individually on eBay. Especially if you browse them for some hilariously outdated advice.
34. THAT PEN COLLECTION
Step 1: Grab the handful. Step 2: While watching TV, test each one out. If it doesn't work, it goes into the garbage
35. LEFTOVER PAINT
You've dutifully kept it in your garage after painting the living room. But even if it hasn't dried out completely, it's likely to no longer match the room - wall paint can lighten or darken over time depending on the formula or environment.
36. PAINFUL SHOES
They may be cute, but isn't life too short to spend it in uncomfortable shoes? Organize a clothes swap with friends to see if there's a Cinderella who doesn't find peep-toe platforms torturous. And no, you're not imagining things if you find many styles of flats to be just as bad.
37. NOVELTY APPLIANCES
Whether it was a Star Wars toaster or an ordinary waffle maker (and it's always a waffle maker), you used it once and decided it was more trouble than it's worth. Liberate it from your cabinet and make someone else's day by donating it.
38. OLD BRAS
Not only are most of us not washing these correctly, we're also hanging onto them for much longer than we should. Here are just some of the signs that it's time to say goodbye to a not-so-supportive bra.
39. SPECIALTY BAKING PANS
Sure, everyone loves that super-cute flower-shaped cake you make once a year, but the rest of the year, it just takes up space. Better to stick to the basics.
40. CANDLES YOU DON'T USE
Whether you were gifted a candle in a scent you can't stand, or are hanging on to a half-burned pillar, these are a drag to hold onto. Donate or pass it on to a friend if the scented candle it's still new, or toss it if it looks like it was found in the Haunted Mansion.
41. EXCESS MUGS
These are always given as gifts, so it's likely that you have more than there are people in your home. Keep your favorites; donate the rest.
42. YOUR EMPTY JOURNAL COLLECTION
Either take up the habit, or pass along the empty journals to someone who could get use out of them.
43. YOUR MATTRESS
Don't clutch your imaginary pearls just yet - this is only recommended if yours is old. How old? Experts say that a mattress should be replaced every 8 years, by which time it would have amassed 10 pounds of dead skin cells.
44. YOUR OLD PHONES
You've upgraded, yet the old phone has languished in the junk drawer. Are you creating a museum of outdated tech? We didn't think so.
45. TRAVEL TOILETRIES
There are better ways to remember a vacation than the tiny bottles of toiletries that are currently cluttering up your under-sink cabinet. If they're many, many years old, it's time to toss 'em. If they're on the newer side, either use them or donate them to a shelter.
Source : www.msn.com