As Good Housekeeping’s household advice editor, I’ve done my fair share of decluttering. In fact, rarely a month goes by where there’s not a bag or box filled with things to donate stationed by the front door.
I’d like to say I’ve never regretted the things I’ve removed, but that would be a lie. Every so often, something slips the net and gets decluttered that I later regret. No one likes kicking themselves down the line, so I’ve pulled together a list of 7 things you should never declutter – that can actually help you around the home. Here’s what you shouldn’t chuck.
Empty jam jars
Jam jars are immensely useful as makeshift containers. As a child, I remember my grandad using them to store his loose screws and bolts in the garage – all neatly labelled, of course. They really do come in use everywhere – it could be a makeshift pencil pot, a foundation brush holder or just a generic piggy bank for spare change.
Just add the empty jar to the upper level of the dishwasher to clean and dry it thoroughly, then use rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining sticky residue. A label maker will give it a designated purpose, while tying a ribbon around the rim can give it a decorative finish.
Leftover bubble wrap
As bubble wrap comes into our homes, the bins usually need to be taken out. We know it seems a waste, but it’s just far too bulky to store! Plus, we have no specific purpose for it – until now.
Bubble wrap can be used to protect any delicate items you’ve stored away, such as Christmas decorations, crystalware or antiques. It also comes in handy in the garden over winter – it can be wrapped around pots for added insulation or applied around the greenhouse to lock in the heat, while letting the sunlight still reach the plants. Both are handy for handbag storage in the wardrobe, too. You can also stuff your bags with packing material to maintain its shape and stop it from getting crushed.
Laddered tights
Before you toss your laddered tights, these can make your weekly chores a whole lot easier. Being made from nylon, they will quickly build up a static charge that will attract dust and lint from any surface they touch. They’re particularly great for lampshades and blinds as well as dusty shelves.
Just stretch the foot of the tights over your hand and you’re good to go. You could also just wear them around the house as you clean to pick up lingering dust from the hard floors (your house won’t judge the ladders!).
Old toothbrushes
This one means the most to my mum. She uses toothbrushes for all kinds of cleaning tasks around the home. Everything from scrubbing grout in the bathroom, to reaching into the tiny compartments of the detergent drawer. She even uses them to shift dog poo from shoes. Old toothbrushes are handy cleaning tools because they can reach into tight, awkward spaces, plus the bristles are soft enough that they won’t scratch everyday surfaces. So don’t throw them away!
This is still the case if you use an electric toothbrush, too. In fact, it’s even more helpful because you can attach the old head to your holder and give it some power – a bit like a more precise electric cleaning brush.
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Used cotton ear buds
While cotton ear buds don’t take up a lot of space in the bin, it’s still something we’re very wasteful with – especially if you only use one end before throwing it away! To save on waste, rather than tossing the whole thing after one use, keep a handy pair of nail scissors nearby to cut the ear bud in half across the stem. Then you can keep and reuse the fresh half for another time or set it aside for cleaning around the house.
Ear buds are the perfect tool for reaching into tiny nooks and crannies. I find them ideal for cornering mould in the shower sealant as well as clearing debris from window tracks.
Discarded corks
The next time you pop open a bottle of wine, don’t let the cork go straight into the bin! These can be surprisingly useful around the home. First, you could cut them to size and apply a double-sided adhesive to create your own furniture floor protectors. These small pads can be fitted under table and chair legs to prevent scratches and to give you better grip.
Alternatively, they could act as a makeshift pin cushion – whether for pins in your sewing kit or earrings in your jewellery box. Finally, corks make for great plant labels, too. Just write out your names on the side, then stick them directly on top of your plant stakes, and you’re done.
Old greeting cards
Usually, greeting cards are one of those things we say you should constantly declutter. If you don’t, they soon build up. I’ve previously found myself sorting through a drawer full of them – it took over an hour.
But decluttering doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of them. Greeting cards can be given a second life by cutting the pictures into small tags to use for personalised gifting (just check there's no writing on the back). Alternatively, you could transform blank card covers into postcards or even bookmarks. For any sentimental messages you want to keep, these could be framed alongside family photos.
