Clutter has a sneaky way of piling up—one day, your home feels organized, and the next, you’re swimming in things you don’t even use. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by old clothes, expired products, or just too much stuff, it might be time for a decluttering session.
Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up 15 things you can get rid of today to reclaim your space and make your home feel fresh and organized again.
1. Expired Pantry Items
Check those spice jars, canned goods, and baking ingredients—expired food isn’t doing you any favours. Toss anything past its best-before date and organize what’s left.
Bonus tip: If you find non-expired but unwanted food, donate it to a local food bank.
2. Single Socks Without a Match
Let’s face it—you’re not going to find the other half of that missing sock. Instead of keeping a collection of mismatched socks, turn them into cleaning rags or just let them go.
3. Old Paperwork & Receipts
Unless it’s tax-related or legally important, you don’t need years’ worth of receipts and documents taking up space. Shred anything unnecessary and switch to digital copies where possible.
Pro tip: Check with your accountant or financial advisor to see how long you need to keep certain records.
4. Worn-Out Towels and Bedding
If your towels are frayed and your bedsheets have holes, it’s time for an upgrade. Many animal shelters accept old linens for pet bedding, so consider donating instead of tossing.
5. Mystery Cords & Chargers
That tangled mess of old phone chargers, random USB cables, and mystery electronics? Chances are, you haven’t used half of them in years. Keep what you need and recycle the rest responsibly.
6. Unused Kitchen Gadgets
Bread maker you used once? That avocado slicer collecting dust? If you haven’t used it in over a year, it’s time to donate or sell it. Stick to kitchen tools that actually make your life easier.
7. Clothes You Haven’t Worn in a Year
If it doesn’t fit, you don’t love it, or you haven’t worn it in the last 12 months—it’s time to say goodbye. Donate good-condition items and stop holding onto “just in case” clothes.
8. Expired Makeup & Skincare Products
Makeup and skincare expire faster than you think—using old products can lead to breakouts and skin irritation. Check expiration dates and toss anything that smells off, has changed texture, or is past its prime.
9. Old Magazines & Newspapers
Unless it’s sentimental or a collector’s item, there’s no reason to keep stacks of old magazines and newspapers. Recycle them and reclaim your coffee table space.
10. DVDs, CDs & VHS Tapes You Never Watch
Unless you still actively use a DVD or CD player, these are probably just collecting dust. Consider digitizing your favourites and donating or recycling the rest.
11. Extra Coffee Mugs
How many mugs do you actually use? If your kitchen cabinets are overflowing with novelty mugs, keep your favourites and donate the extras.
12. Broken or Unused Toys
If you have kids, you likely have broken toys, incomplete puzzles, or games missing pieces. Declutter their play space by donating gently used toys and tossing the rest.
13. Old Cleaning Products
Check under the sink—you probably have half-empty bottles of expired cleaners. Properly dispose of harsh chemicals and stick to a few multi-purpose cleaning essentials.
14. Forgotten Gift Cards & Store Credit
How many times have you found an unused gift card in a drawer? Instead of letting them expire, use them now or donate them to someone who will.
15. Unread Books You’ll Never Get To
We all have books we meant to read but never did. If it’s been sitting on your shelf for years, consider donating it to a library, school, or charity. Keep the ones that truly bring you joy.
Decluttering Your Space = Decluttering Your Finances
Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up your home—it’s also a great time to take a closer look at your financial clutter. If you’re overdue for a mortgage check-up, now is the perfect time to see if you could be saving money through refinancing or adjusting your mortgage terms.
Use our Mortgage Payment Calculator to see if you could free up extra cash by securing a better rate.
For expert mortgage advice, Contact The Local Broker today!
