Organizing Experts Always Get Rid of These Things Before They Pile Up
Get rid of these common items before they can contribute to clutter.
It's easy for clutter piles to build up in the home. One often-overlooked source: Those things you bring home but aren't sure what to do with. Organizers say the solution is to get rid of these items first, before they have a chance to pile up. Examples might include a promotional tote bag you got at a community event, small party favors from a friend's baby shower, or a flyer from that new restaurant down the street. Rather than let these items linger on the entryway table for weeks while you decide what to do with them, experts say it's best to either find a home for them or toss them as soon as you get home. Making the choice ASAP can reduce decision fatigue and keep your surfaces clutter-free. It also ensures you don't go "clutter blind" and forget about the items altogether.
Below, organizing experts share the things they always get rid of as soon as they get home, from unneeded receipts to unwanted hand-me-downs. If you're looking for more inspiration on what to declutter from your space, read up on the things professional organizers say most people keep way too long.
Kids’ schoolwork
By sorting through schoolwork immediately, you’ll make things easier for yourself and your kids in the future. “Too many times I have helped people who have been burdened with their childhood life's work instead of being blessed with a concise box of extra special pieces,” says Cate Adams, professional organizer and founder of The House Half Full Professional Organizing. “I quickly sort through to see if there are any gems worth saving, and then the rest goes into the recycling.”
Open envelopes
Keeping sentimental cards is sweet, but the envelopes are unnecessary. “We normally toss the envelope in with the card out of laziness, not for practical purposes,” says Meghan Cocchiaro, a certified professional organizer and founder of Organized by Meg. Tossing it at the door halves the amount of paper you’re keeping.
RELATED: 10 Paper Items Pro Organizers Want You to Toss
Free samples
It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll use all those mini face washes, perfumes, and hot sauces, but in reality, they’ll sit in a drawer for years. “Unless I know I'll use them within a week, I put free promotional samples straight into the recycling,” says Judith Clarkson, master KonMari consultant and professional organizer at Life Sorted. “Just because they're free doesn't mean they should take up valuable space in my home.”
Party favors
Similar to free samples, consider how likely you or your kids are to actually use these items. “Oftentimes, goodie bags are filled with cheap plastic trinkets and off-brand candies that taste like wax,” says Megan Barnhart, professional organizer and founder of Barnhart Home. “After attending an event, I always do a quick sort and purge of the goodies.” Many can go right in the trash.
Dry cleaner hangers
If you don’t get rid of these immediately, they’ll stack up fast. “They rarely match my closets or add value to my wardrobe system, so I discard them,” says Christina Lee, professional organizer and co-founder of Graceful Spaces Organizing. Fun fact: You can often return them to the dry cleaner if they’re in good condition.
Unwanted hand-me-downs
“You can quickly get rid of items that were ‘forced’ upon you by others, such as hand-me-downs or other clutter that they were decluttering from their own lives and now represents clutter in yours,” says Meghan Cocchiaro. Donate the items if they’re in good condition, but don’t feel guilty about tossing them.
Empty shipping boxes
Don’t let a haphazard mountain of shipping boxes stack up by the door. “It would amaze you how many empty shipping boxes I come across when organizing homes,” says Megan Barnhart. “I hear, ‘I may need to send the item back,’ often.” She suggests setting a certain number of boxes to keep and store, but to break them down first so they take up less space. You’ll always have a box for returns, but things won’t get out of hand.
Receipts
You’re probably not returning your groceries, so you can safely toss the receipt immediately. “That goes for all products you 100 percent know you will not return, including food, snacks, and clothing or shoes you are sure of or that you know you have an electronic copy of if you end up needing it,” says Meghan Cocchiaro.
Juliana (she/her) is the deputy digital editor at Good Housekeeping, where she leads the lifestyle team and oversees coverage across entertainment, health, home, holidays, food, and travel. She brings more than a decade of experience to the role, including time as deputy features editor at HGTV Magazine and Food Network Magazine. Her bylines have appeared in Reader's Digest, Elle Decor, Editorialist, Best Life, Bloomberg News, and more.
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