12 Things Pro Organizers ALWAYS Throw Out in the New Year
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The month of January is all about starting fresh. Whether you make resolutions or not, we can all take the opportunity while it's still early in the year to cut back on our clutter. We at House Beautiful are always trying to find ways to make our homes more, well, beautiful, and a big part of that comes from how we organize and store all our things. Everyone from Boomers to Gen Zers has items in their homes that are just taking up precious space—now is the time to figure out what to do with them.
When life gets busy, the junk tends to pile up—it happens to all of us! But consider this your wake-up call: Begin the New Year by decluttering your home and eliminating the 12 biggest clutter culprits, as recommended by professional organizers. Then, you can move on to greener—and cleaner—pastures.
Pantry Items
Eating healthier is a common New Year's resolution, so clearing out your pantry, cupboards, and refrigerator is a good place to start, according to professional organizer Jenna Haefelin of SPIFF. It's so easy to forget what you have in your kitchen when everything is stored behind closed doors, so tossing out expired food first will likely open up much more space for fresh, usable items.
On the health front, if your food items are technically still good but don't fit into your lifestyle anymore, then professional organizer Laura Cattano suggests bringing them to your local food pantry or doing a food swap with friends and family. This way, nothing has to go to waste.
Tupperware
"If your collection of food storage containers has grown out of control with missing lids, warped pieces, or stained items, it’s time to say goodbye," professional organizer Cori McDougald says. She brings up a good point: While those mismatched food containers may be handy, there's a good chance you have too many of them. You can stay more organized in the future by downsizing your Tupperware collection to only include containers you regularly use. Plus, your kitchen will look better with everything matching.
Junk Drawer
Yes, you should still clean out your junk drawer even though "junk" is in the name. Cattano explains that it should be functional, containing only those random items you still have use for: working pens, rubber bands, tape, note paper, tape measures, non-rusted scissors, etc. Don't waste time sifting through dusty papers and garbage "just to grab a pen that doesn't work," she adds.
Miscellaneous Cords
It's time to sort through that random pile of cords you keep "just in case." Because let's be honest: That "just in case" moment will rarely arise! Store the useful ones somewhere that makes sense (like the HDMI cord with the TV) and use a cord holder to keep them all wrapped up. For the charging cables you always forget about when you're traveling, Cattano suggests pre-packing a travel pouch with extra chargers so you can simply grab the pack and go.
First Aid Kit
It's cold and flu season, so make sure your first aid kit is actually filled with medications and supplies that aren't expired. Cattano says, "Keep in mind that pills can last a year or two past their expiration dates if stored in a dry, cool place. Liquids and creams, however, should be replaced when expired." Rubbing alcohol can last a very long time of course, but you don't want to be caught with a cut and a basically-empty bottle in your time of need. There's nothing worse than needing an Advil, a tissue, an ice pack, or some other remedy and not having it nearby. Clean out the old, and put in the new.
First Layers
First layers are your socks, underwear, and basically any other first layer of clothing you put on your body. Cattano, quite frankly, is tired of seeing "old, tired, stretched out, stained, sad looking first layers," and thinks you deserve better and nicer things. Don't hang onto that sock with a hole in the heel simply because you like the print—just do yourself a favor and throw it out.
Cattano suggests finding two or three styles of first layers you really like and then buying multiple pairs in colors you'll wear. This makes them easier to store and easier to see what you have, which is especially handy when decision fatigue gets in the way. "Have fewer pairs, wear them more often, replace them more often," Cattano adds. "Start a tradition of going through [your first layers] on the new year or your birthday and replacing what you need."
Clothing
We get it: You really love the look of that dress that's been hanging in your closet for three years with the tags still on. We all have those pieces! But it's time to say goodbye to those types of clothing items, as well as any other unworn, old pieces in your closet. Haefelin points out that this only adds unwanted clutter to your closet and dresser, taking up room for pieces you will actually wear. A good rule of thumb to follow, suggests McDougald, is donating any piece that you haven't worn in the past year.
If some of your holiday presents include a few clothing items, professional organizer Kenzie Harkey of Simply Dare suggests "the one in, one out rule, so even if you don't have the time to do a full closet edit, simply donate the same number of items that you are adding in."
Unused Holiday Decor
Before you store your holiday decorations away for the year, Harkey says that now is the perfect opportunity to sort through and toss what you don't use or like. These could be broken ornaments, tangled string lights that are missing a few bulbs, or maybe even that funky, faded handmade ornament your child made in kindergarten. Yes, it's sentimental, but you must ask yourself if you actually like it. McDougald says to only keep decorations that bring you joy.
Paper Clutter
Mail, magazines, receipts, notes—all of this adds up very quickly, and it's time to throw it in the recycling bin. Having a clean desk will make you feel more productive and less stressed, McDougald points out. However, sorting through all your paper clutter is also a great way to "remind yourself of to-do's that you might have forgotten about throughout the year," Harkey adds. You can either add these tasks to your New Year plans or cross them off your list for good. Harkey also suggests finding a way to make this mindless task more interesting, so put on a podcast, grab your favorite beverage, and make a day of it.
Toys
If you have young children, your floors are likely covered in toys at this time of year. Do your future self a favor and cull the clutter in the playroom—but make sure your kids are part of this process too. Harkey recommends starting this habit once your kids hit the age of five so that they can understand the importance of maintaining a clean, organized space, as well as giving back to others.
Remember to be kind to both your children and yourself during this process—one or both of you might feel some hesitation, which Harkey emphasizes is normal. "As the parent, you might be projecting your own anxieties around decluttering or getting rid of items that seemed important at one time, even if it's just a toy, so be mindful of your mindset around toy decluttering too," she says.
Beauty Products
Beauty products are common gifts for the holidays, and if you still have the moisturizer your parent or partner got you last year, it's time to throw it out. Unfortunately, beauty products expire, and they often do so faster than you'd think. If you haven't used a skincare or makeup product in a year, then it's a good idea to toss it. "Pro tip: Keep a Sharpie in your bathroom drawer and add the month/year you bought the item before organizing it into your drawers or bins so you remember when you started using them," Harkey says.
Empty Packaging
From shoes to tech, a lot of people keep the empty packages their items come in. Ashley Murphy, the co-founder and CEO of NEAT Method, says it's time to let those empty boxes go. "Cardboard packaging can attract bugs and take up a lot of unnecessary space," she says. "If you’re struggling to say goodbye, remember that an item is not useful if it is not being used."
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