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Toss These 28 Items to Kick-Start Your Decluttering Process

Out of Clutter, Find Simplicity.
From Discord, Find Harmony.
In the Middle of Difficulty Lies Opportunity.
—Albert Einstein (Three Rules of Work)

Everybody deals with clutter at some time or another. You don’t have to hold on to it forever. Free up space and simplify your life by decluttering your home.

Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start small with one room at a time and it will be a whole lot easier.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I love it?
  • Do I need it?
  • Is it essential?
  • Does it enhance my life?

Sort your things into 3 piles

  1. Keep
  2. Give
  3. Toss

Start with the easy stuff, things that are clearly garbage:

  1. Empty grocery bags
  2. Plastic, glass, or cardboard storage containers you might use someday
  3. Medication past its expiry date
  4. Coupons that have expired
  5. Clothing you haven’t worn in a year
  6. Toys your children have outgrown or no longer play with
  7. Cosmetics that have dried up and you no longer use
  8. Food that has spoiled
  9. Food past its expiry date
  10. Broken items that aren’t worth repairing
  11. Old take-out menus
  12. Old maps and travel guides
  13. Broken or rusty tools
  14. Bills that have been paid
  15. Old greeting cards
  16. Toiletries and soaps that have dried up
  17. Tax records that are past their retention date
  18. Old magazines
  19. Books you no longer read
  20. Shoes that are worn out
  21. Sports equipment you are no longer using
  22. Dried up paint and painting supplies
  23. Outdated household chemicals
  24. CD’s and DVD’s you no longer listen to, watch or are broken
  25. Worn kitchen, bath, and bed linens
  26. Plants that are dead or near dead
  27. Hobby supplies that you haven’t used in more than a year
  28. Partly used candles