A list of items you hold on to, but are actually junk.
Our modern world produces more stuff than we know what to do with. We’re constantly hit with ads, promotions, and trends that push us to own more than we actually need. There was a time when acquiring something took real effort, as mass production wasn’t as widespread as it is now. But today, new products flood the market every day, and without even trying, we end up bringing more into our homes. Unfortunately, that means decluttering has turned into something we have to do regularly just to keep up.
When we hold on to excessive stuff, our homes start working against us. Instead of being a place to rest and recharge, they become messy and overwhelming, filled with things that drain our time, energy, and space. This is even more obvious in a smaller home, where every inch matters. The more we accumulate, the harder it is to stay organised, find what we need, or simply feel at ease in our own space.
This is why letting go of the excess is so important. Removing the things that no longer serve us—whether it’s outdated gadgets, random freebies, or piles of old paperwork—makes daily life easier. It frees up both physical and mental space, letting us direct our energy toward what matters most.
Begin your decluttering journey!
Overconsumption never stops, so neither does the stuff we have to declutter each day. If you don’t start taking action, you’ll find yourself overwhelmed by a constant buildup of stuff that leaves you feeling drained and mentally cluttered. The longer you put it off, the harder it becomes to reclaim your space and peace of mind.
The endless cycle of overproduction means there’s always clutter to declutter everyday.
It doesn’t have to be a massive overhaul, small steps can lead to big changes. Even decluttering just one item at a time will gradually clear up space.
Not sure where to start (or what to declutter next)? Here’s a list of 100 things you can ditch right today without even thinking!
From the entryway and living room
- Unused CDs and DVDs
- Unused or broken electronics
- Old phone cases
- Old chargers
- Old tech cables you don’t use
- Old magazines and newspapers
- Dead indoor plants
- Faded and dirty artificial plant
- Discoloured photos you have in digital form
- Unwanted souvenirs from others (keychains, magnets, trinkets, etc.)
- Extra furniture pieces you never sit on
- Outdated brochures or catalogues
- Unclean-able, dirty storage boxes
- Purely decorative knick-knacks collecting dust
- Extra umbrellas
- Worn-out shoes
- Spare keys you don’t remember the locks for
- Expired fire extinguisher
From the kitchen and dining area
- Expired food (produce, snacks, seasonings, etc.)
- Beverages that aren’t to your taste (coffee, tea, powdered mixes, etc.)
- Expired medicine and supplements
- Expired medical items in your first aid kit
- Duplicated kitchen gadgets
- Old receipts
- Expired coupons
- Non-functional kitchen utensils
- Broken appliances
- Old, non-functional cookware
- Chipped ceramic plates and cups
- Food containers without lids
- Plastic bottles showing wear and tear
- Old, stained lunch boxes
- Old cleaning supplies
- Ineffective cleaning products
- Oddly-shaped plastic and paper bags
- Extra shopping bags
- Stained bibs that won’t come clean
- Old, yellowish disposable tableware (plates, cups, utensils, etc.)
- Thinned-out cleaning rags that don’t do the job
From the bedroom and wardrobe
- Worn-out sheets and blankets
- Old pillows that have gone flat
- Clothing that doesn’t fit
- Faded or damaged clothes
- Stockings with holes
- Worn out underwear
- Single socks without a match
- Loose or ill-fitting gym clothes
- Tarnished or funky-smelling fake jewellery
- Accessories that no longer match your style
- Damaged bags with holes you’re not going to repair
From the bathroom
- Worn-out towels
- Old, dirty bathmats
- Expired skincare products
- Expired makeup products
- Products that irritate your skin
- Nail polish shades that don’t suit your style
- Redundant styling tools
- Outdated beauty tools you don’t use anymore
From the kid’s space
- Kids’ broken or outgrown toys
- Toys with missing or loose parts
- Tiny, unusable crayon pieces
- Crumbly, dried-up playdough that’s no longer mouldable
- Outgrown educational posters
- Completed school projects
From the home office/study
- Old notebooks you no longer need
- Old, unimportant papers and documents
- Old calendars and planners
- Broken stationery
- Rusty tools
- Broken or dried out pens and markers
- Redundant office supplies (scissors, staples, rulers, etc.)
- Unused craft supplies that no longer interest you
- Unfinished, neglected projects
- Failed craft projects
- Dried up craft supplies (glue, paint, ink, etc.)
- Unread books you’ll never get to
- Books you’ve outgrown or no longer interested in
- Corrupted memory cards that no longer store data
- Expired warranty slips
- Expired loyalty or game membership cards
- Instruction manuals you can find online
- Outdated business cards from past jobs
- Credit cards you’ve cancelled or replaced
- Old, unused copy paper that has turned yellow
- Discoloured envelopes
- Red packets (angpaos) that have been stored for too long
From the laundry and pets
- Unused or broken clothes hangers
- Out-of-shape laundry clips
- Pet toys that are chewed-up and falling apart
- Leash with broken clasp or clip
- Broken grooming tools
- Expired pet grooming products (shampoos, conditioners, sprays, etc)
- Pet bowls with scratches or chips
From storeroom
- Stack of cardboard boxes
- Worn-out festive decor
- Unidentified spare screws
- Old and used batteries
- Unused exercise equipment
- Empty gift boxes
- Old promotional items or freebies
The funny thing is, most of the things listed above can be considered as “rubbish,” yet we often hold onto them unconsciously because we attach sentimental value, think we might need them someday, or simply don’t notice how much space they’re actually taking up. We get so used to having them around that we forget they’re doing nothing but cluttering up our homes and minds.
If you’ve made it this far, think of this as your permission slip to donate, recycle, or simply away toss those things you hardly touch or have grown out of. If you think it’s wasteful, just consider this: once something’s no longer serving a purpose, keeping it around doesn’t change that. It’s not going to magically become useful again by shoving it away somewhere. The truth is, if you get rid of it, chances are you won’t miss it. You’ve got the green light to declutter!
