How to Declutter Your Life today: 100 things you don’t need
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your home and life? It’s easy for possessions to pile up over time, creating stress and distractions. But what if you could reclaim your space, simplify your daily routine, and make room for what truly matters? The first step to a more peaceful, focused life starts with decluttering.
In this post, we’re going to help you identify 100 things you don’t need—items that are holding you back. By the end of this journey, you’ll feel lighter, freer, and ready to take on whatever comes your way. Let’s dive in!
Kitchen
Expired condiments.
Old condiment packets, like ketchup and plum sauce.
Old spices. Most are good for 1-3 years.
Expired pantry items. You might be surprised how old some of the cans in your cupboard are.
Plastic containers missing lids.
Empty and unused jars and canisters. If you haven’t found a use for it yet, will you ever?
Least favourite mismatched mugs and glasses.
Old take-out menus. You can access these online instead.
Duplicates of cooking utensils. Do you need 2 or more spatulas, ladles, and wooden spoons?
Medications, vitamins, and supplements that have expired.
Old dull knives. Dull knives are unsafe to use, as they can slip instead of slicing.
Unused kitchen appliances. I’m looking at you, cake-pop maker and slushie machine.
Torn or worn out dish cloths and tea towels.
Cookbooks that aren't absolute favourites. Recipes are widely available online.
Reusable water bottles missing lids or other components.
Closet (click here for more on minimalist closets)
Clothes that don’t fit. If you lose a ton of weight you’ll want to buy new clothes anyways!
Clothes that no longer suit your style.
Socks with holes.
Socks without matches.
Underwear with holes or that have lost their elasticity.
Bras that don’t fit right or are uncomfortable. It’s better to have 3 great bras than 10 mediocre ones.
Extra hangers.
Shoes that hurt. Life is too short for painful feet.
Sneakers with worn support.
Bags that are worn out or that you don’t use.
Accessories that don’t suit your style.
Broken inexpensive Jewelry. Take the good stuff to be fixed.
Clothes with holes and tears, unless you are going to mend them this week.
Bedrooms
Old pillows.
Extra sheets. You only need 2 sets per bed.
Extra comforter or quilts. One per bed is plenty unless you have someone who frequently pees the bed.
Free Samples you don’t use.
Expired makeup. Most makeup is good for 1-2 years, mascara and liquid eye-liner last 3-6 months.
Nail polish colours you never use.
Sentimental
Old greeting cards. Take a photo of the sentiment and recycle the card.
Textbooks.
Unwanted gifts.
Extra wedding favours and leftover decorations. You presumably have plenty of photos to remember the day by.
Old uniforms from old jobs and t-shirts from charity events.
Digital Clutter
Old emails. Read this quick post on decluttering your inbox.
Screenshots from your phone.
Unused apps. Put rarely used apps you must keep in a folder called “rarely used” to declutter your home screen.
Unsubscribe from newsletters that aren’t helping you meet your goals.
Friend’s lists. Unfriend anyone toxic or bad for your mental health.
Bathroom
Empty shampoo or body wash containers cluttering the shower.
Toothbrushes older than 4 months.
Expired sunscreen.
Towels that are tattered.
Your Loofah. These things just harbour bacteria.
Beauty appliances you don’t use anymore.
Expired condoms and dental dams. You don’t want to risk it!
Kids rooms and play spaces
Broken toys.
Rarely played with toys.
Stained or torn clothing.
School papers that aren’t relevant anymore.
Dried out markers and short broken crayons.
Arts and crafts you don’t have space to store. Take a photo first so you can still look back on it.
Happy meal toys.
Office or desk
Pens that are dry.
Old notebooks and agendas that aren’t worth saving.
Empty journals. If you haven’t written in them yet, will you?
Bills over 1 year old. Unless you are saving them to claim for tax reasons. Switch to paperless building to keep this clutter from coming back
Tax papers over 7 years old. Be sure to shred before recycling.
Product manuals. All the info you need is available online.
Expired warranties.
Receipts you don’t need.
Old computers and laptops.
Junk drawer
Batteries that don’t work.
Old coupons that have expired.
Keys that you don’t know what they open.
Old glasses with outdated prescriptions.
Old phones and other outdated technology.
Livingroom
DVD’s and CD’s you never use. Keep a couple good ones in case the internet goes down for a few days!
Video Games you’ve beat. You can often trade these for store credit at a pawn shop.
Cables for items you don’t have anymore.
Magazines and Newspapers you’ve read, or won’t read.
Books you won’t reread.
Old reference books that have become outdated.
Board games you don’t play or are missing pieces.
Throw blankets with holes in them.
Throw pillows that spend more time on the floor than the couch.
Decor
Art that no longer speaks to you.
Extra vases. I never have more than 2 bouquets at a time so I own 2 vases.
Knick knacks.
Souvenirs that don’t make your heart swoon. Take a picture and pass it along.
Empty picture frames.
Plants you can’t bring back to life.
Organizing boxes and bins. Now that you have less to organize, you need less organizing supplies.
Miscellaneous
Holiday decorations you don’t love. Remember, less is more.
Unfinished projects that stress you out.
Craft supplies you won’t use.
Cardboard boxes, unless you are moving in the next 60 days.
Reusable grocery bags. You’ll probably never need more than 20 of them. Donate the rest.
Old paint. Over time the can corrodes and affects the quality of the paint.
Saved gift bags and tissue paper. Only keep them if they are in pristine condition and you see yourself using it in the next 6 months.
Broken tools.
Thin plastic plant pots, unless you use them annually to start seeds.
Sports equipment you no longer use.
Leftover construction or renovation materials.
Travel Maps and guides. All this is available, and more up-to-date, online.
Beginners Minimalism: Embrace the Freedom of Less
Decluttering your life isn’t just about getting rid of physical items—it’s about creating space for what truly brings you joy, peace, and purpose. By letting go of the 100 things you no longer need, you’re making room for clarity, focus, and the freedom to live more intentionally. Remember, decluttering is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Take it one step at a time, and celebrate the small wins along the way.
As you clear out the old, you'll find that you're not just organizing your space—you're also organizing your mind, your energy, and your life. So go ahead, take the first step today, and watch as the weight of unnecessary things melts away, leaving you with more of what truly matters. You’ve got this!
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