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Old cell phones - Many people keep old cell phones they no longer use at home. It’s like we get emotionally attached to them and don’t accept that it’s time to move on.

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Mismatched socks - How many have you got in your drawer? You just keep them there, hoping for the day the other sock will magically appear. Except it never does.

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Power cords and cables - We’ve all been there. We find a cable and we don't know what it goes to, but instead of getting rid of it, we just leave it there, you know, just in case.

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Old makeup - That dry mascara and old lipstick should make their way to the trash ASAP.

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Creams - The same goes for lotions and creams, including last year’s sunscreen.

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Alarm clocks - The dreaded alarm clock no longer has a place in most of our bedrooms. Most of us just use our phones anyway.

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Condiment packets - We know how tempting it is to bring those cute little condiment packets home. But when was the last time you actually used them? Stick to a regular-sized ketchup bottle.

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Medication - We tend to keep medications at home that have already expired. So, check for dates and declutter.

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Calculators - Even the old '90s Nokias had calculators, so why on Earth do we still keep these around?

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Buttons - For some odd reason, the hoarder in us likes to keep assorted buttons in a box somewhere in the house. What are the odds you could actually find the right one if you needed it anyway? 

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Clothes that no longer fit - We all have that piece of clothing (or several) we really like, but it no longer fits. It’s just taking up space in your closet and making you depressed because your body has changed. Get rid of it.

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Landline phones - Unless you want to avoid cell phone radiation, these are somewhat obsolete nowadays.

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Food storage containers - How many do you have in your kitchen cupboard that you don’t really use? And worse, how many of them don’t even have a lid?

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Old textbooks - You know, the ones you kept from college, with outdated information that you can find online in two minutes. Time to say goodbye.

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Remote controls - Just like old cables and cell phones, remote controls for appliances that we don’t even own anymore can be found in the depths of our storage boxes.

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Incandescent light bulb - Do you still have these at home? It’s time to swap them for more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternatives.

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Plastic cutlery - We know, you keep it “just in case.” You’re waiting to go to that picnic that never really happens, or the time when all your silverware is dirty and you will finally use the plastic ones.

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Hotel freebies - Soaps, shampoo, shower caps, you name it. They're free, so we take these home if we don’t use them during our stay. And we often never use them at home either.

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Obsolete media - VHS, cassette tapes, etc. We get it, you can’t just throw your memories away, but you surely can convert them into a digital format.

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Expired food -

When was the last time you checked for expired food in your pantry and freezer? Do it. You’ll likely get rid of lots of stuff. 

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Expired coupons - We keep stacks of these at home, but then forget about them. Many expire and we don’t even realize it. It’s time to get rid of them.

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Magazines and newspapers - We know, there’s that article you really like and it feels good to actually hold a hard copy in your hands. But you can just scan or take a picture of what you need and recycle the paper.

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Chopsticks - You know those extra chopsticks you get from your Chinese food takeouts? What are you going to use them for, exactly?

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Takeout menus - Really? Do you still keep these at home? Just use your phone like everyone else in 2024.

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Receipts - Unless you have a legitimate reason to keep these at home, just recycle them.

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Calendars - How many of us actually use a physical calendar nowadays? And for those who do, how many times have you rolled into the new year with an old calendar hanging on the wall?

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Towels and bedding - Some of us just keep a few extra sets at home. But then they get old, and we still keep them, even though we never really use them. You can donate these.

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Desktop computers - Unless you need it for something specific, there is no need to be confined to a desk.

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Printers - When was the last time you printed something? Plus, you’ll be helping the environment by not wasting more paper.

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Product manuals -

Remember these? Actually, remember not reading these, but still keeping them? Yes, we’re all guilty. Time to recycle!

See also: Get rid of these habits to be happier

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