Nobody likes clutter, but something deeply ingrained in human nature just makes us keep stuff that we have no use for. Just like with everyone else, this means that your home probably needs a clearout. And for inspiration, here are a few things you probably don’t throw away that you should today.
Old makeup and skincare products
There is a risk of bacterial growth in makeup that is past its use-by date, and this can lead to skin irritations or infections! You should always check the shelf life of products like this, and throw it away when it goes bad, yet not Brits people do!
Expired medication
Expired medications can lose their effectiveness, potentially causing harm if used past their expiration date. As America’s FDA notes, expired medication is at risk of bacterial growth, and out-of-date antibiotics may not be strong enough to treat infection. So, keep an eye on this, and throw out any old medication!
Worn-out running shoes
It’s important to replace running shoes after a certain amount of use, with most sources claiming that between 300-500 miles of use is the sweet spot. If your running shoes have lost their cushioning, you may even become susceptible to shin splints and joint pains, as well as blisters and friction burns.
Electronic equipment
A lot of outdated electronics are obsolete, like old MP3 players, laptops, CD players, and televisions, yet we bet you have a pile of it cluttering your home. Outdated electronics won’t run newer software efficiently, so throw them out, recycling them to prevent any harmful substances from damaging the environment.
Old paint
We all keep old paint in case we need to do any touch-ups, but then we forget all about it and it sits in the shed forever. Old paint can degrade and become unusable, as well as potentially hazardous, and it gets really smelly. So, remind us why you’re not throwing it out?
Spices
Spices lose their potency and flavor over time; you can still use them, of course, and just add more, but what if you use too much? That’s your favorite dish ruined! Keep an eye on the expiry date of your spices, and if they’re getting old, just throw them away.
Odd Socks
We all know that there is a secret sock dimension where every lost sock has been sucked into. However, they’re not coming back, so there’s no need to keep single socks in anticipation of their mate’s return. If you’re particularly attached, you can repurpose socks as cleaning rags!
Old pillows
Pillows over time will accumulate allergens such as dust mites and skin cells, which can aggravate allergies–it’s pretty disgusting! Most sources say pillows should be replaced every couple of years, but Martha Stewart recommends replacing them once per year for comfort and cleanliness.
Sunscreen
Much like medication, it’s important to throw away expired sunscreen and replace it, as if sunscreen is past its prime, it will not provide adequate protection from UV rays. If you don’t realize this, you could increase your risk of sunburn and skin damage, which can lead to skin cancers over time.
Old bras
Proper breast support is extremely important for comfort and health, and stretched-out old bras cannot provide this, so why are you keeping your old bras? Most lingerie specialists suggest replacing your regularly worn bras every nine months to a year, to maintain good body support and posture.
T-shirts you never wear
Everyone has a section of their wardrobe dedicated to t-shirts they never wear… why!? They could be really useful to other people, so take some time to go through your t-shirt collection, identify the ones you never wear, and donate them to a charity, giving them a real life.
Old glasses
There is no need to keep old prescription glasses; we get new ones for a reason. Old prescription lenses can be ineffective or harmful, and we won’t use them again. The same goes for sunglasses–we buy new sunglasses but keep the old ones that are scratched or broken, which is just strange.
Worn-out towels
Old towels lose their absorbency over time and get frayed and worn, so Southern Living advises replacing them every 2-5 years, and kitchen towels every 1-2 years. Of course, you don’t need to throw the old ones away, as they can be used as pet bedding, car washcloths, and other things.
Broken holiday decorations
There are many potential safety hazards in keeping broken decorations, including sharp edges and malfunctioning lights. A lot of us keep these for nostalgic reasons or because we think we may fix them eventually, but we can use the disposal of broken items as an opportunity to refresh and upgrade holiday decorations sustainably.
Old magazines
Some people keep magazine collections, as they may have interesting information that we want to refer back to. However, let’s be honest: we never do. Meanwhile, these stacks of paper can become a serious fire hazard, so spend a day reminiscing over them, cutting out anything important, and recycling the rest.
Unused Craft Supplies
Crafts can be wonderful hobbies, but unused craft supplies like paints, wool, ribbons, and beads take up valuable space and contribute to household clutter. If these items are not going to be used, consider donating them to schools or community centers, where they’ll definitely get lots of use.
Toothbrushes
Finally, you should be throwing away your toothbrushes more often than you do; at least every 3-4 months, as noted by the CDC. They lose efficiency, the bristles lose stiffness, and they likely feature some gross bacteria. So, just grab a new one, and if you insist on keeping your old toothbrushes, repurpose them as household cleaners.
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