Buzz
Unless you're a devoted Disney collector, that Mickey Mouse mug from your family's 1997 trip to Disney World probably doesn't need to take up space in your kitchen cabinet anymore. And what about that branded water bottle from your cousin's 5K race? Or those mismatched plastic food containers missing lids? It's common for kitchen cabinets to get cluttered with things you seldom use, but given that cabinet space is precious, it's time to declutter. Start the process with these 20 items that you can easily part with and never look back.
Getty Images1. Branded Water Bottles
You probably have a collection of water bottles tucked away from company retreats, theme parks, or sporting events. Go through your stash and keep only the ones you and your family actually use. Be aware that older plastic bottles may contain BPA, a chemical linked to several health issues.
2. Extra Mugs
Mugs can easily accumulate in your kitchen without you realizing it, and their bulky handles often take up more space than you'd like. Begin by removing all mugs and only keeping the ones you truly use. Donate the rest.
If you're not ready to downsize your mug collection, consider installing mug hooks beneath your cabinets. This solution frees up space in your cabinets while proudly displaying your favorite mugs.
3. Mismatched Plastic Containers
Clear out all the plastic food containers from your cabinet, matching the lids with their corresponding bases. If you find containers with missing lids or lids without bases, it's time to toss the mismatched pieces that are taking up valuable space.
4. Chipped Cups and Plates
Perhaps you have chipped plates you haven't been able to part with, or a teacup with a broken handle that you were planning to glue back together. Now's the time to let go of these potentially hazardous pieces of dishware—it will make your dish organization much easier.
5. Small Appliances You Rarely Use
If you're holding onto appliances you're certain you'll use someday, consider the two-year rule. If an appliance has sat unused for the past two years, it's time to donate it.
Perhaps you only bring out your KitchenAid mixer for holiday baking, but if it’s been gathering dust for two winters, it might be time to donate it or sell it online.
6. Expired (and Flavorless) Spices
Unfortunately, your spices are probably past their prime. While they won't make you ill, their flavor is likely gone. Go through your spice collection and note the ones that have been expired for too long and need replacing. If there are spices you never use, don't bother replacing them—you’ve just freed up some extra space in the cabinet.
7. Takeout Menus and Sauce Packets
Toss those paper takeout menus, as they are probably a thing of the past in 2023. Most restaurants now offer their menus online, either on their websites or through delivery apps like Seamless.
Next, consider the collection of condiment packets and plastic cutlery you’ve accumulated from takeout orders. Time to toss them—or repurpose the chopsticks.
8. Holiday-Themed Items
That Santa mug or pumpkin-shaped bowl shouldn't be cluttering your kitchen past the holiday season. Store them with your holiday decorations and pull them out again when the season rolls around.
9. Duplicate Kitchen Tools
Sure, you need more than one spatula or serving spoon, but when was the last time you needed two garlic presses or meat thermometers at once? Keep your favorite and donate the extras for a simple way to declutter your kitchen cabinets.
10. Pans with Peeling Coating
Old cookware and bakeware can often be cleaned up, but once the nonstick coating starts peeling, it's a safety concern as those flakes could end up in your food. It's time to replace them with new ones and take steps to avoid damaging your nonstick cookware in the future.
11. Cookbooks You Rarely Use
Cookbooks take up a lot of space. If you haven’t used some in over a year, it’s time to clear them out. For those you only reference a recipe or two from, take a photo or scan the pages, then create a recipe binder. You can pass the cookbooks along for someone else to enjoy.
12. Worn-Out Kitchen Towels
Kitchen towels with significant stains, tears, or fraying edges can be repurposed for the rag bin instead of taking up valuable space in your kitchen drawers.
13. Specialty Cookware
We all have dreams of making homemade crepes or Sunday night paella, but in reality, you likely have a more versatile pan that can do the job just as well when you're in the mood for fondue or tagine. (Your passport will likely expire before you actually use that specialty cookware.)
14. Outgrown Kids' Items
Pass along the sippy cups, plastic plates, and kiddie sandwich cutters you no longer use to a grateful new mom in your local Buy Nothing group and watch your kitchen cabinets clear out in no time.
15. Scratched Cutting Boards
Bacteria can thrive in the nicks and gouges of your cutting board, potentially making its way into your food. When your cutting board shows signs of heavy wear, it's time to replace it for your safety.
16. Expired Items
That can of lentils from 2015? It’s time to part with it, just like that bag of marshmallows that somehow fused into one giant marshmallow.
17. The Majority of Your Junk Drawer
Even after clearing out the condiment packets and takeout menus, your junk drawer still likely holds more to toss (or move to a different part of the house). Think outdated phone chargers, loose coins, old matchbooks, crumpled cupcake liners, stray birthday candles, and more.
18. Excess Vases
If you've received your fair share of flower arrangements, chances are you have accumulated a ton of basic glass vases. Repurpose them for something else (they work well for storing shower steamers or bath bombs in the bathroom, or pens and scissors on your desk), or pass them along.
19. Unwanted Snacks
If your kids never liked those protein bars, they won’t magically get better with age. If the package is unopened and unexpired, consider donating them to a food pantry. Otherwise, offer them to friends or share in a Buy Nothing group.
20. Anything That's Damaged
If you haven’t repaired it by now, it's probably not going to happen.
