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The end of the year is fast approaching which means now’s the time to let go of things that no longer serve you. Let’s be real, you don’t need that kind of energy heading into a new year. Plus, if you’re planning to host loved ones this year, decluttering will help you put your best foot forward and create space for the things you truly treasure — like thoughtful new gifts.
Here’s a list of things to get rid of before December 31.
To get you started, here are 26 things you can say goodbye to right now:
Kitchen
- Sell or donate any small kitchen appliances you haven’t used in months
- Scratched non-stick pans, misshapen plastic containers, containers without lids and vice-versa, warped pans etc.
- Chipped plates and mugs
- Cut up faded and worn out tea towels and turn them into dusting rags
- Heavily scored plastic cutting boards
- Donate kitchen items you have duplicates of
- Check all spices and condiments and say goodbye to any that have expired
- Donate cookbooks you no longer reference
- Old bills, paperwork and calendars from years passed
Living room
- Worn out cushion covers
- Relocate thin and sad throw blankets to the pet bedding pile
- Donate home decor items you no longer love
- Check your council’s website for e-waste recycling and get rid of old cords, chargers, phones and any other electronic devices taking up space in your cupboards
- Donate or sell any books you’ve already read that you won’t revisit
- Recycle old magazines or newspapers piling up
- Donate any puzzles or board games you no longer use
Bathroom
- Bin any expired makeup or beauty products
- Brushes or combs with missing bristles
- Donate hair accessories you never wear
- Replace loofas and sponges
- Rusting shower caddies
- Take any expired medication to your local chemist for disposal
Kids’ rooms
- Recycle broken toys or donate any items that your kids have outgrown
- Donate clothes and shoes that your child has grown out of
Wardrobes
- Donate or sell clothes and shoes you haven’t worn for 12 months
- For clothing that is too worn out to sell or donate, see our guide to getting rid of clothes that can’t be donated
- Old or stained linen
Laundry
- Check expiration on cleaning products and dispose of expired items thoughtfully
- Old ironing board cover
Garage
- Broken or duplicate hand tools
- Sell any power tools you never use
- Damaged sports gear
- Check your council’s collection calendar for household chemical cleanout events and say goodbye to paint tins, solvents or chemicals that are past their prime
- Random clutter like boxes and broken furniture
- Broken Christmas decorations
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