31 Essential Items to Declutter During Your New Year Clean Out

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The New Year is the perfect time to lighten your living space and refresh your mindset. Tackling clutter might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Here’s a handy list of 31 items you can let go of to make room for new beginnings and keep your home feeling organized and stress-free.

Expired Food in the Pantry

A cluttered pantry filled with various canned goods and boxes.
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Check your pantry for expired food items. It’s easy to forget what’s hiding in the back of the shelves. Tossing out old cans and boxes will make space for fresh ingredients and help keep your meals tasty!

Old Clothing and Accessories

A pile of old clothing and shoes on a bed with a donation box in the background.
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It’s time to tackle that overflowing closet! Start by sorting through your old clothing and accessories. If you haven’t worn it in a year, it might be time to let it go and make space for what you truly love.

Unused Sports Equipment

A cluttered garage with unused sports equipment including bikes and tennis rackets.
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Take a look around your garage or storage area. You might find old bikes, tennis rackets, or other gear collecting dust. Letting go of unused sports equipment can free up space and help you focus on activities you actually enjoy.

Books You Won’t Read Again

A cozy reading nook with a stack of books beside a comfortable chair and a window.
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Take a good look at your bookshelf. If there are books you know you won’t pick up again, it’s time to let them go. Clearing out these titles can free up space for new reads you’ll actually enjoy!

Unused Kitchen Appliances

A countertop filled with various kitchen appliances including a toaster, blender, and coffee maker.
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Take a good look at your kitchen gadgets. If you haven’t used that bread maker or fancy juicer in ages, it might be time to let them go. Clearing out these unused appliances can free up space and make your kitchen feel more organized.

Old Electronics and Gadgets

A collection of old telephones and gadgets on a table.
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Old electronics can take up a lot of space and often go unused. Check your drawers for those ancient phones and gadgets that you haven’t touched in years. Letting go of these items can free up room for things you actually use and enjoy!

Broken or Unused Furniture

A broken chair and damaged table in an empty room.
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It’s time to say goodbye to that old chair with a broken leg or the table that no longer fits your style. Holding onto furniture that you don’t use just takes up space and adds clutter to your home. Clear it out and make room for pieces that truly bring you joy!

Toys No Longer Played With

A cluttered room filled with various toys and stuffed animals scattered on the floor.
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It’s time to take a good look at those toys that have been collecting dust. If your kids haven’t touched them in ages, it might be time to let them go. Decluttering these forgotten items can free up space and make room for new memories!

Duplicate Kitchen Utensils

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Kitchen drawers often overflow with duplicate utensils that you rarely use. Take a moment to sort through your collection and keep only the essentials. This simple step can free up space and make cooking more enjoyable.

Excessive Decorative Items

A cluttered living room filled with decorative items and knick-knacks.
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Decorative items can easily pile up and take over your space. Take a moment to assess what truly brings you joy and what just collects dust. Letting go of the excess can create a more open and inviting atmosphere in your home.

Seasonal Decor That’s Outdated

A cluttered storage area filled with seasonal decorations, including Halloween items and ornaments.
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It’s time to take a good look at your seasonal decor and let go of what’s outdated. Those old Halloween decorations and faded holiday ornaments might have seen better days. Keep what you love and use, and make space for fresh, fun pieces that truly bring joy!

Unwanted Gifts

A shelf filled with various items including candles, books, and household goods.
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Unwanted gifts can take up space and create clutter. It’s time to let go of those items that don’t spark joy or fit your style. Consider donating or regifting them to someone who might appreciate them more!

Expired Beauty Products

A cluttered bathroom sink with various beauty products, some of which appear to be expired.
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It’s time to check your beauty stash for expired products. Old makeup and skincare can cause skin issues and just take up space. Toss anything that’s past its prime and make room for fresh favorites!

Old Magazines and Newspapers

A stack of old magazines and newspapers on a coffee table, with a lamp and a flower vase in the background.
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Old magazines and newspapers can pile up quickly, taking up valuable space in your home. Instead of holding onto them, take a moment to sort through and decide what to keep. You might be surprised at how freeing it feels to let go of the clutter!

Unused Craft Supplies

A cluttered craft room filled with various yarns and supplies.
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It’s time to tackle those unused craft supplies taking up space in your home. If you haven’t touched them in ages, consider letting them go. You’ll feel lighter and might even find new inspiration in a tidy space!

Old Bedding and Linens

A stack of neatly folded old bedding and linens on a wooden floor next to a bed.
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Old bedding and linens can take up a lot of space in your home. It’s a great time to sort through what you really need and what can go. Donating or recycling these items can make a big difference in your clutter levels and help someone in need.

Old Travel Souvenirs

A collection of old travel souvenirs displayed on a shelf, including a wooden figure, a skull, and various decorative items.
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Old travel souvenirs can take up space and collect dust. If they no longer spark joy or remind you of good times, it might be time to let them go. Consider taking a photo of them before decluttering, so you can keep the memories without the clutter.

Worn Out Towels

A stack of worn out towels in a closet.
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Worn out towels can take up valuable space in your closet. If they’re frayed or no longer absorbent, it’s time to let them go. Treat yourself to fresh, fluffy towels that make drying off feel great!

Old Shoes

A cluttered closet filled with various old shoes stacked on top of each other.
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Old shoes can take up a lot of space in your closet. Take a moment to go through them and decide which pairs you really wear. Letting go of those you no longer need can make room for new favorites!

Old Paint and Craft Supplies

A collection of old paint cans and craft supplies stacked in a corner.
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It’s time to tackle those old paint cans and craft supplies you’ve been holding onto. If you haven’t used them in a while, it might be best to let them go. Clearing out this clutter can free up space and make room for new projects!

Old Phone Chargers

A cluttered drawer filled with tangled old phone chargers and cables.
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Old phone chargers can really pile up and take over your space. If you haven’t used a charger in the last year, it’s time to let it go. Keep only the ones that match your current devices and enjoy the extra room!

Expired Coupons

A cluttered drawer filled with expired coupons and papers.
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Expired coupons can clutter your space and serve no purpose. Take a moment to sort through them and toss out anything that’s no longer valid. This simple step can free up space and make room for fresh deals!

Unused Gardening Tools

A cluttered gardening shed filled with unused tools and cobwebs.
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Your gardening shed might be hiding tools you haven’t touched in years. Take a moment to sort through those old shovels, rakes, and trowels. If they’re covered in dust and cobwebs, it’s time to let them go and make space for new gardening adventures!

Unused Membership Cards

A wallet overflowing with various membership cards.
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Membership cards can pile up quickly, taking up space in your wallet or drawer. Take a moment to sort through them and keep only the ones you actually use. Toss the rest and enjoy the extra room!

Old Pet Supplies

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When it’s time to declutter, don’t forget about those old pet supplies. You might have worn-out beds, toys, or bowls that your furry friend no longer uses. Clearing these out can free up space and make room for new items that your pet will love.

Outdated Technology Manuals

A stack of outdated technology manuals on a desk.
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Take a look at those old technology manuals piling up in your space. If you haven’t used them in ages, it’s time to let them go. Clear some room and make way for the new by recycling or donating these outdated books!

Old Calendars and Planners

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Old calendars and planners can take up valuable space in your home. They often hold memories, but they also clutter your life. Take some time to go through them and keep only the ones that truly matter.

Unused Gift Wrap and Supplies

A cluttered storage space filled with various rolls of gift wrap and supplies.
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As you tackle your New Year clean out, don’t forget to check your stash of gift wrap and supplies. You might find rolls of wrapping paper you forgot about or ribbons that have seen better days. Letting go of what you won’t use can free up space for fresh supplies you’ll actually enjoy using.

Unused Fitness Equipment

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If you have fitness gear collecting dust, it’s time to let it go. From treadmills to dumbbells, these items can take up valuable space and serve as a reminder of unfulfilled goals. Decluttering your workout area can create a fresh start for your fitness journey this year.

Miscellaneous Items Without a Home

A cluttered workspace with various miscellaneous items including tools, pens, and batteries.
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When decluttering, miscellaneous items can be tricky. You might find old batteries, random pens, or tools that don’t have a designated spot. Take a moment to sort through these items and decide what to keep, toss, or donate, making your space feel more organized and inviting.

Expired Medicine

A cluttered medicine cabinet filled with various bottles and containers of expired medicine.
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Cleaning out expired medicine is a great way to start fresh. Check your cabinet for old prescriptions and over-the-counter meds that you no longer need. Tossing these out not only clears space but also keeps your home safe and organized.