Seven Redundant Items You Can Clear Out Right Now

It’s safe to say that we all accumulate too many things. The problem becomes worse when our closets, kitchens, and other areas get overcrowded, making it difficult to keep track of what we already own. As a result, we often end up with unnecessary duplicates or forget to dispose of older items when replacing them with newer ones. Either way, it leads to a cluttered environment. Here are seven duplicates you can easily declutter now, without a second thought.

Apparel

Jamie Andrieu and Hillary Forst from Sorted And Styled share that many of their clients' closets are so overcrowded they can't even recall what they own. "Sometimes we'll spot four white button-down shirts or three identical pairs of jeans," Andrieu says. "We even had a client who subscribed to a monthly clothing service and kept receiving duplicate items, but she had no idea because her closet was overflowing, and she couldn't see the problem.”

Occasionally, having duplicates is reasonable. For example, if you find the perfect T-shirt, owning it in a couple of colors might be practical. However, if you keep buying new ones because you’ve forgotten about the ones you already have, it’s time for a closet overhaul.

Towels

We all require towels, but many of us end up with an excess. "A lot of homeowners refresh their bath towels annually, particularly if they’re white," Forst explains. "The issue arises when the old towels aren't discarded. This results in having double or even triple the number of towels needed, creating chaos in the linen closet.”

Andrieu and Forst usually advise having two towels for each family member and two additional sets for guests. Instead of tossing out old towels, consider donating them to an animal shelter. Old hand towels can also serve as great cleaning rags.

Bedding

Sheets and duvets don’t last forever. While most people need at least two sets, owning more than that per bed is excessive and can overwhelm your linen closet. Consider recycling your extras or donating them to a local animal shelter.

Small Appliances

Unless you’re a professional chef, there’s no need for multiple hand mixers or other small gadgets. “Some of our clients end up with two or three coffee makers because they upgraded to newer models and forgot to get rid of the old ones,” Andrieu explains. “Others keep the old ones just in case the new one breaks. We encourage them to let go of the extra appliances, which leads to a simpler life with less clutter.”

Baking Supplies

There are times when having multiple kitchen tools is practical. For instance, Andrieu and Forst mention a client who had two sets of measuring spoons and cups. She was a baker and often prepared two recipes simultaneously, so having extras made sense for her. However, if you only bake once or twice a year, there's no need to have multiples of measuring tools, rolling pins, or similarly shaped cake pans or cookie cutters.

Mugs

Most people don’t need more than a handful of coffee mugs. So why do you have 20? Many of us collect them as gifts or get lured by a cute new set while shopping. The reality is that you probably only use a small number of mugs regularly. It's time to declutter and either toss or donate those extra mugs.

Beauty Products

Is your bathroom overflowing with both full and nearly empty bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion? Try turning the bottles upside down or cutting them open to use up what's left before buying more. Also, take a look through your makeup collection and honestly assess what you use and what's just taking up space—especially if some of it is way past its expiration date.