Almost every time you step inside your home, you bring in a few objects from the outside world. Maybe it’s a branded bottle opener from the new wine shop down the street, a paper leaflet from your local pizza place or a painting your friend gifted you when you visited her. Some of these items you know you’ll keep and cherish, so they go straight to their new home. But others you deliberate over – and weeks later, they’re still sitting on your hallway table or kitchen counter as you decide their fate.
Over time, this delay often leads to keeping things you don’t truly need. While it can feel uncomfortable to let something go right away, waiting usually makes the decision even more difficult. Professional organisers do their best to avoid this cycle altogether, either assigning an item a home immediately or choosing not to bring it in at all. Keep reading to discover the things they simply don’t allow into their homes.
Kids’ school work
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 organiser and founder of The House Half Full Professional Organising. ‘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 organiser and founder of Organized by Meg. Tossing it at the door halves the amount of paper you’re keeping.
Free samples
It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll use all those mini face washes, perfumes and hand creams, 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 organiser at Life Sorted. ‘Just because they’re free doesn’t mean they should take up valuable space in my home.’
Party favours
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 sweets that taste like wax,’ says Megan Barnhart, professional organiser 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 bin.
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Dry cleaner hangers
If you don’t get rid of these immediately, they’ll stack up fast. ‘They rarely match my style or add value to my wardrobe system, so I discard them,’ says Christina Lee, professional organiser and co-founder of Graceful Spaces Organising. 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 organising 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 food shop, so you can safely toss the receipt immediately. ‘That goes for all products you 100% know you’ll 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.
