11 Things Professional Organizers Say You May Regret Tossing
Think twice before donating or throwing away these items.
Professional organizers often tell people which items should be tossed or donated. But there are some household things that organizers actually recommend people hang onto, even if they seem like they could go. Organizers say you should think twice before decluttering these items, including certain documents, electronics accessories, and sentimental items.
Why would organizing pros encourage you to hang onto clutter? In some cases, you may find you do regularly need the item, even if it’s not part of your day-to-day life. In other cases, you may need more time to determine whether it’s meaningful or valuable to you—and in these cases, you don’t want to hurriedly toss something like a family heirloom only to regret it in a few months.
"Decluttering is most effective when it’s aligned with emotional readiness, function, and the season of life you’re in, not done reactively," says professional organizer Ashley Hines of Thee Tailored Life.
Below, organizers share the items that they say you should think twice about when it comes to decluttering. But if you’re looking for items you can definitely declutter, read up on the items organizers say you don’t need “just in case” and the things that make homes look cluttered.
Important Documents You Don't Understand Yet
Don't be so quick to shred essential tax records, legal files, medical paperwork, and school documents. Their purpose should be clear before you start decluttering them, says Hines.
"Organizing these documents first allows people to declutter responsibly rather than out of fear or confusion," says Hines. "In many cases, digitizing can be a helpful way to preserve important records without taking up physical space."
Old Cables and Cords
Have a ton of old cables and cords lying around? It's a good time to evaluate them before heading to the recycling bin, says Jeffrey Phillip, a professional organizer and interior designer.
"Old cables and cords can seem like easy items to toss. However, since ports and cables change over the years, it is important to confirm you have no more need for them before they hit the recycling pile. Without the cord, you may no longer be able to access your information or charge your device!" says Phillip.
Extra Storage Solutions
We're all guilty of feeling like we have way too many storage solutions, whether it's woven bins, glass jars, or plastic containers. However, Jackie Pittman of Chez Nous Organizing says you should consider what you might need as your lifestyle evolves over time. It can't hurt to keep some organizers on-hand if you have enough storage space in your home.
"These items are expensive and useful when needs change. Of course, I get rid of any that are not in good shape or don't fit the style of your home anymore," says Pittman.
Sentimental Items Before the Meaning Is Clarified
Be clear about the sentimental items that should have a place in your home. You only have so much space to store them all.
"Family photos, heirlooms, and keepsakes are often decluttered because they feel like clutter, when the real challenge is deciding how to honor the memory," says Hines. "Once people identify what the item represents, it becomes much easier to keep, repurpose, or release intentionally."
Aspirational Items
There's some aspirational clutter that's worth a spot in your home as well. Think about hobbies and activities you'd like to try to boost your creativity.
"Not all aspirational clutter is fantasy clutter. If someone is genuinely working toward a goal—learning to cook, increasing their strength training, returning to a hobby, rehabbing after illness—those items may represent intention and hope, not excess. I usually like to set a realistic time frame (3-6 months) and set a reminder on my phone to check in about these items to see if they have been used," says Pittman.
Passwords
A digital decluttering session is great now and again, but don't make the mistake of wiping out key passwords. "People tend to want to declutter passwords, but really, they shouldn’t because there might be an important code word or something you need when trying to log back into an account that you accidentally decluttered," says professional organizer Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out.
Tools
Of course, you should keep your tool collection under control, but be careful not to part ways with too many. "While you can have too many tools (depending on your needs and hobbies), they never go out of style or expire. If you have too many in one place and have a multi-floor or large home, consider having small toolboxes in different areas. It's very handy to have tools close by and it speeds up completing certain tasks," says Phillip.
Meaningful Decor
It's always fun to change your decor seasonally. That's why professional organizer Laura Cattano recommends only keeping pieces "you truly love and enjoy looking at."
"Not everything needs to be displayed at once, especially if you have a smaller space," says Cattano. "It's nice to have a cupboard or closet with pieces to switch out every now and then to refresh your space."
Items Tied to Unprocessed Life Transitions
"Belongings connected to loss, divorce, illness, fertility journeys, or major career shifts are often decluttered during periods of emotional overwhelm," says Hines.
Carefully consider whether or not you really want to get rid of things like photos and special documents connected to these significant life moments. "Pausing allows decisions to be made with clarity rather than grief or urgency, which helps prevent regret later," she says.
Some Special-Occasion Items
"Things like formal dinnerware, seasonal decorations you actually use annually, or specialized kitchen tools you reach for regularly (even if infrequently) earn their keep," Pittman says.
For instance, that one turkey roaster you use every Thanksgiving without fail? It's not clutter, Pittman says.
Emergency Supplies
Whether it's a fire or power outage, you want to be as prepared as possible should a disaster strike. Keeping the right emergency supplies in a safe place can make the situation less stressful.
"A lot of clients I work with want to declutter emergency supplies, but I always tell them not to because of the 'just in case' situations like a tornado or flood," Tomlin says. "They think they should declutter them because something hasn't happened, but the moment something happens, they wished they had those items."
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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