Are you feeling overwhelmed by the clutter and chaos in your kitchen? Your kitchen is the heart of your home, but sometimes it can also be a hot mess with all kinds of items lurking in corners that you may have forgotten about or don’t really need.
Today, I’m here to help you declutter and organize your kitchen space by identifying 20 things in your kitchen that you should throw away right now. By getting rid of these items, you’ll not only free up valuable storage space but also create a more functional and efficient kitchen that will make meal prep or baking your favorite dessert a breeze.
So, grab a trash bag, set a timer for as much time as you can spare and let’s get started!
Key Takeaways:
- Set a timer for 15/30/60 minutes (this can be done over a couple of days)
- Grab a trash bag or a donate box
- Don’t pull everything out at one time!
1. Expired Food:
Check your pantry, fridge, and freezer for any expired or spoiled food items. Toss them out to make room for fresh ingredients.. If you have some food that is about to expire, pull it out and use it for dinner. On days like this, I make an omelet, or a quesadilla. Take everything out of the fridge and set it out on the counter and let everyone make their own plate, the kids actually love this, because they can pick and choose what they want to eat!
2. Chipped or Cracked Dishes:
Go through all your dishes and say goodbye to chipped or cracked dishes, no-one should be eating on cracked dishes!. These dishes need to go straight in the trash, you can have some fun now and replace them with new ones for a safer dining experience.
3. Mismatched Tupperware:
There is nothing worse than trying to find Tupperwares that match together when you need them for leftovers. Instead of this being a 2 second chore, you find yourself rummaging through your cabinets only to find more and more containers without lids, missing bottoms, badly stained containers, suddenly you’re 15 minutes into a giant mess! We’ve all been there! Today, I want you to get rid of mismatched Tupperware and invest in a set that stacks neatly and matches – this will make your life much easier!
4. Worn-Out Kitchen Towels:
These are things we use every day but sometimes we fail to notice just how grungy they are getting! Today, I want you to replace worn-out and stained kitchen towels with fresh ones to keep your kitchen looking clean and tidy.
5. Unused Cookbooks:
If you haven’t used a cookbook in ages or ever, chances are you won’t miss it when it’s gone. Donate or recycle cookbooks that are collecting dust on your shelves.
6. Expired Spices:
Spices lose their potency over time, so check the expiration dates on yours and toss out any that are past their prime.
7. Old Sponges:
Sponges can harbor harmful bacteria if not replaced regularly. Toss out old sponges and stock up on new ones for hygienic cleaning. Realistically, you should be switching out your sponges every two weeks!
8. Broken Utensils:
Say goodbye to broken spatulas, chipped knives, and warped spoons that are no longer serving their purpose in the kitchen. There is nothing worse than reaching for a kitchen utensil only to find out it’s broken! You can easily replace your kitchen utensils with brand new working ones and make your life easier!
9. Unused Gadgets:
If you have gadgets gathering dust in drawers or cabinets, it’s time to donate or sell them to someone who will actually use them!
10. Plastic Bags:
Get rid of any excess plastic bags you have and organize the ones you are left with by purchasing a wall mount holder like this one!
11. Takeout Menus:
In the age of online ordering, do you really need a drawer full of takeout menus? Keep only the ones you actually use or better yet, check if they have an online order menu and recycle all of them to free up some space.
12. Expired Medications:
Your kitchen might be home to expired medications that need proper disposal – check the dates and safely dispose of any old pills or liquids.
13. Unused Appliances & Tools:
That juicer gathering dust on the countertop? Time to let it go! Downsize unused appliances & tools for a clutter-free cooking space! If they are in good working order, you might be able to sell them and make some money.
14. Duplicate Utensils & Tools Taking Up Space
Do you really need three whisks or four vegetable peelers? Declutter by donating or selling duplicate utensils & tools taking up precious drawer space!
15. China Sets You Never Use
Fancy china sets collecting dust in cupboards? Let go of sets you never use & create room for everyday dishes that suit your lifestyle!
16. Coffee Mugs Overflowing from Cabinets :
Overflowing coffee mugs crowding cabinet shelves? Keep only those used daily & donate excess mugs for an organized coffee corner!
17. Done-zo Baking Sheets
If they’re more “char” than “sheet”, say farewell. Get rid of any baking sheets that are burned upon, scratched, or just plain done! It’s important that you’re using baking pans that are clean!
18. Takeout Condiments and Utensils
If you have piles of soy sauce packets and utensils that you never use, get rid of them today and make space for things you actually use!
19. Water Bottles With Lost Tops
Are you really going to use a water bottle that doesn’t have a lid? I’m guessing no is the answer, so let’s get rid of any water bottles or travel mugs that have lost their top!
20. Mystery Items In The Freezer
Today, it’s all about the freezer! Look for food items that are covered in ice, if you can’t tell if it’s a steak or an ice block for sculpting, toss it!
There you have it – 20 things in your kitchen that you should throw away right now! By decluttering your kitchen of items you are not suing, you’ll create a more functional and organized kitchen that will make cooking a joy rather than a chore. So grab those trash bags and get ready to say goodbye to clutter.
Happy decluttering!
Other Articles You May Like:
- How to declutter when you are completely overwhelmed
- How to declutter your bathroom
- 6 Declutter mistakes to avoid!
- 20 short actional decluttering tasks you can fit into your daily schedule
- 130+ Things to get rid of at home
- My best tips to declutter your home when your spouse doesn’t want to!
Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
Leave a Reply