Written by Tara McKenna
If you love this blog post, you'll love The Declutter Workbook!
Minimalism is inextricably linked with low waste living. It’s pretty simple: the less you consume, the less waste you create! But what if you weren’t so minimal before you started going zero waste? What if you’re a bit overwhelmed by clutter and stuff that no longer suits your tastes or resonates with you?
If you find yourself in that situation, then yes, it’s time to reduce, minimize and declutter! Before you get started, check out 5 Ways to Declutter Responsibly, so that you can find lovely new homes for your unwanted belongings. One person's trash is another’s treasure, right?
And while I don’t advocate for keeping things that you don’t need, it’s still worth noting that if you can reuse, repurpose, or upcycle things you already have in your home, then do it!
The last thing we want to do is send things to the landfill. That said, if you truly know you won’t use or love something anymore, then it’s just superfluous stuff collecting dust in your home and it’s really time to let go.
Get your sorting piles ready: Sell, Donate, Swap, Trade, Upcycle, Recycle, Trash, Keep -- whatever piles work for you!
Here are 100+ things to declutter from your home today:
Entertainment
1. Unused CDs
2. Untouched DVDs
3. Video games no longer loved
4. Gaming consoles no longer played
5. TVs no longer watched
6. Unused Electronics, Chargers and Cords
7. Books you don’t read anymore
8. Magazines that are collecting dust
9. Games you don’t play
10. Puzzles you don’t put together anymore
Linens
11. Ratty blankets
12. No longer enjoyed throw pillows
13. Excess or worn out towels
14. Worn out tea towels
15. Barely hanging on bed sheets
16. Cleaning cloths that are totally tattered
17. Unused or worn out quilts and comforters
Kitchen
18. Unused or underutilized appliances
19. Excess cutlery
20. Worn out cutting boards
21. Extra or chipped plates, bowls, platters,
22. Mugs, cups, glasses, and other drinkware that are broken or unused
23. Takeout containers and plastic cutlery you won’t reuse
24. Containers you can’t find the lids to, and vice versa
25. Excess or unused pots and pans, or specialty cookware
26. Duplicates of anything
27. Excess jars and containers
28. Fridge magnets
29. Plastic bags that won’t get used
30. Expired food (while you’re at it, you could do a pantry audit)
31. Old spices
32. Condiment packets you won’t use
Bathroom
33. Old or expired makeup
34. No longer used toiletries
35. Unused cleaning supplies
36. Empty or nearly empty bottles and tubes
37. Expired medicine, vitamins and supplements
38. Beauty appliances you don’t use
39. Hair accessories that are worn out or unloved
40. Unused hair products, skin products and other lotions and potions
41. Old toothbrushes
Closets and Drawers
42. Clothes that don’t fit
43. Worn out clothing, or clothes that no longer suit your style
44. Worn out shoes or shoes you no longer wear
45. Accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves that you no longer wear
46. Jewelry you no longer love
47. Old handbags, bags, and purses that are worn out or unused
48. Unworn prescription glasses, sunglasses, etc.
49. Socks with no partners, or holy socks you won’t darn
50. Worn out bras and underwear
51. Seasonal clothes and gear you no longer need
Art and Decor
52. Artwork you no longer enjoy
53. Vases you don’t put flowers in
54. Knick-knacks you don’t care for anymore
55. Souvenirs that have lost their luster
56. Mirrors you don’t love
57. Picture frames you don’t like
58. Seasonal and holiday decor you no longer display
59. Plants you can’t bring back to life
60. Broken blinds or ripped and stained curtains
61. Unused wrapping and gift supplies
62. Art and hobby supplies you don’t use
63. Worn out rugs and mats
Office
64. Unfiled and unimportant paperwork
65. Junk mail that needs tossed
66. Newspapers that you’ve read
67. Coupons you don’t use
68. Other miscellaneous paper clutter
69. Clear out the junk drawer
70. Broken hangers
71. Old planners, calendars and journals
72. Unnecessary receipts
73. Unused user manuals
74. Business cards and phone books
75. No longer used textbooks and school notebooks
76. Extra or no longer functional pens, pencils and other stationery
Kids Stuff
77. Outgrown clothing and shoes
78. Unloved toys and unread books
79. Old, ratty and/or stained stuffed animals
80. Artwork you don’t want to keep
81. Unused art supplies, pens, pencils, markers, papers, colouring books, etc.
82. Outgrown furniture, decor and accessories
83. No longer needed baby clothes and supplies
84. Outdated and unused school supplies and books
Garage & Shed
85. Tools and machinery that are broken or unused
86. Scrap materials that won’t be repurposed
87. Random bins and boxes (if they are full of stuff, sort and declutter the stuff)
88. Untouched or broken gardening accessories
89. Bicycles, Scooters, Outdoor Toys, and Sports Equipment that have been outgrown
90. Pet gadgets that are worn out or unloved
91. Pool accessories you don’t use
92. Miscellaneous junk and broken items you don’t plan to fix
93. Vehicle supplies and accessories you don’t use
Miscellaneous
94. Indoor or outdoor furniture that’s worn out, unused, or simply extra
95. Exercise equipment you no longer need
96. Party supplies that go untouched
97. Sentimental items and photographs that no longer bring joy
98. Suitcases and other travel gear you don’t use
99. Collections you don’t enjoy anymore, like coins or figurines
100. Unused gifts
Once you’ve gone and done a big tidy up and declutter, the most important thing to do is avoid re-cluttering!
Here are a few tactics to avoid collecting excess again after decluttering:
As you declutter, keep stock of things you tend to collect and don’t need more of
Stick to a shopping list for all future purchases
Give yourself at least 2 weeks to consider a new purchase, if possible
Kindly decline unwanted items
Check out The Declutter Workbook!
For more tips on going zero waste, read the book and head to zero waste 101!
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