Springtime is just around the corner, and with it comes the need to clean, organize, and de-clutter! Time to purge your home of junk and make way for safer, happier home. To help you get started, here are my suggestions for 30 items that you can get rid of today.
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Note: Some items can be handed-down, some can be donated, and you might even be able to sell a few things! When you do have to throw something away, try to recycle it when possible. Here is a list of 25 items that you may not have know you could recycle!
1. Get rid of old cell phones, broke electronics, and outdated gadgets. They’re just taking up space, and you might be able to get some cash in exchange from an ecoATM!
2. All of your owner’s manuals and user guides can be found online – no need to hold on to them!
3. Check your board games and deck of cards for any missing pieces. Throw away anything you haven’t played in a while and anything that’s incomplete.
4. Go through your collection of office supplies and throw away dried out pens and markers. If you have extras of anything, keep them in a separate drawer or basket to make your desk area less cluttered.
5. Check your wrapping paper and get rid of anything that’s wrinkled or torn.
6. Do you have any old remote controls lying around? If you can’t figure out what they’re for, get rid of them!
7. Put away your winter clothes and donate anything that wasn’t used this year.
8. Travel guidebooks that are over a few years old aren’t very useful anymore, so search the internet instead and save some space on your shelf!
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9. Implement one charging station in your house, and get rid of extra cables and old chargers that you don’t use.
10. Check your makeup for expiration dates, and throw away anything old, unflattering, or impractical. Throw out any mini toiletries that you won’t be using, or turn your collection of bar soap into hand soap!
11. Dictionaries, thesauruses, maps and atlases can be accessed from your phone or computer – no use taking up all that space!
12. Take-out menus and information about local businesses can also be found online.
13. If your linen closet is over-flowing, get rid of blankets, sheets and towels that you don’t need.
14. Lighten-up your keychain by removing keys you can’t identify and keychains you don’t love.
15. Get rid of any latex paint if it’s over a year old.
16. The other day I realized that I have two can openers, measuring spoons I can’t read, and a few spoons that I never use! I’m always searching for something in my utensil drawer, so it’s nice to have a little more space. :-) Get rid of chopsticks and condiment packets, too.
17. Do you still have old VHS tapes lying around? Unless they’re keepsakes or you watch them regularly, just save yourself the space!
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18. Condense your cleaning tools and supplies into a caddy, and get rid of anything you don’t use.
19. After going through my medicine cabinet, I realized I had some expired vitamins, allergy medicine and Ibuprofen. Be sure to safely dispose of any medications!
20. I can’t remember the last time I used a phone book – time to throw them out!
21. Old prescription eyeglasses can be donated at lionsclubs.org.
22. Socks without a match can be used as a mop head for your Swiffer, or you can make “stinky pinkys” to absorb odor from your shoes.
23. Make a new gel air freshener, and throw away dried out potpourri, empty plug-ins, and old candles.
24. If your kids used to play an instrument or a sport that now resides in your garage, consult them before getting rid of the unused equipment.
25. When I gathered all of my reusable shopping bags, I realized that I had a huge collection! Take the biggest bag, and fill it with your favorites. Get rid of the rest!
26. Bridesmaid and prom dresses can be donated at operationprom.org.
27. I collect and reuse most jars and bottles, but I had to throw out a few items that I didn’t use or that were missing lids.
28. Keep all of your children’s schoolwork in a storage bin, and get rid of anything doesn’t make you proud, make you smile, or make you laugh. :-)
29. Save some space on the kitchen counter by getting rid of appliances you never use.
30. I have one vase that I use every time I have flowers, and finally got rid of the other five!
Carve out a few hours this month to evaluate the things in your house you can toss. You’ll be happy you did.
What things do you have a hard time getting rid of?
I take unused samples to our battered womens shelter,Circle of Hope.I no longer need ladies monthly personal items but if I get a good deal on them,I buy them.They always need those type of items.
I am a 78year old widower and I enjoy reading the ideas and other information you put out, so thank you for it. My wife was the kind of person who celebrated and decorated for every holiday. I have two disabled sons who live with me, they are 50 and 47. We have a house full of decorations, and books like Good Housekeeping, and others. I collect cook books and have likely 400 or better. I seldom cook anything from the books. So thanks to reading your post I Will get rid of some of that stuff. I will start… Read more »
Instead of throwing out old toiletry samples and re-usable bags donate them to homeless shelters.
As always your posts are informative and I enjoy your light heartedness honesty! As I read this post I have a small suggestion regarding disposing of OTC medicines……dump the pills (out dated prescriptions qualify as well) in used coffee grounds. We seem to miss the offering from our local pharmacy to dispose of prescriptions when we clean out the medicine basket.
or I just flush them
NEVER flush medicines, they can not be filtered out and are showing up in fish and wildlife. Terribly dangerous practice, please stop
NEVER – EVER-EVER FLUSH MEDS DOWN THE TOILET/SINK — YOU MUST BRING THEM BACK TO THE PHARMACY FOR SAFE DISPOSAL….OTHERWISE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CONTAMINATES THE SOIL.. – THOSE MEDS GO IN LANDFILLS AND BREAKDOWN INTO THE AIR/HEARTH/WATER AND MAKES US SICK/MESSES -UP OUR METABOLISM/HORMONES… WHERE THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOUR STUFF GOES?
I Love & enjoy reading all of Your amazing ideas !! *-*
Why throw out latex paint that is over a year old? We are on year 3 of a gallon and it is just fine. We make sure it is sealed and stored properly. I’m just curious because I usually find great information on this website:)
I enjoy your newsletter & site. Thank you for the list of recycling ideas & sites. You’ve listed several I hadn’t heard of & look forward to using in the future. Thanks for all you do!
DONATE THOSE OLD BLANKETS AND TOWELS TO YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER OR HUMANE SOCIETY SHELTER! THEY ARE ALWAYS IN NEED!
This is a truly wonderful idea, thank you for reminding us all!
We adopted a new adolescent Border Collie 6 months ago. He came with a sturdy blanket and one toy – Mike. He still sleeps best on that blanket and destroys all his toys except Mike! Thanks for reminding others that blankets are so needed at rescue shelters.
Really. It’s hard to find anyone else who will be sincerely happy to receive a set of bedsheets with holes in the bottom sheet and frayed pillowcases!!
I really love your site Jillee and have used many of the ideas and recipes over the time I have been following you. One thing I would love to see is more comments/answers from you on questions that are asked by people who follow you regularly. Some of the questions that get asked I realize are silly or things that can be figured out by simply re-reading that particular post but some of them are things that only you could answer because you are the one that posted the recipe or advice on something. I realize also that you could… Read more »
I took photos of my son’s artwork from elementary school and made it into a book. Then I was able to get rid of the originals without feeling guilty!
Our son just started Kindergarten this year. I love this idea! He brings home so many papers each and every day, it is astounding how much paper. I have kept a handful of things that were unique and made me so proud of his little self. I keep them in a keepsake box by school year, but eventually he will take them with him when he is old enough if he wants. I love the idea of the photo book so Mom & Dad always have the memories too!!
This is an excellent idea. Recently while cleaning I found art work and school projects . She is now 32. This is a great idea for a gift. I will pass this on for her to use with my two year old granddaughter. We all have too much “stuff.” Thank you so much for the idea.