It’s amazing how “stuff” takes over our homes. Like every other pesky annoyance, things sneak in quietly and before you know it, you’re overrun and desperate to get rid of the mess. But unlike bugs or rodents, you can get rid of clutter and mess by getting rid of item at a time – our stuff fortunately doesn’t literally reproduce (thank goodness!). That means that you can tackle one trouble spot, get rid of the clutter and excess stuff, and as long as you get it out of the house (and don’t just move it to another area) then you’ve made true progress.
Stuff you can get rid of and won’t miss
There are some items on the list that you may think, “Who in the world actually still has those things?” You’d be surprised. And if you’re helping an older relative downsize…or if you’re cleaning out their house after they’ve passed, you’re definitely going to come across these things. We certainly did when we cleaned out my mother-in-law’s house.
1 – Old magazines and newspapers – donate old magazines to doctor’s offices or hospital waiting rooms. Check to be sure they’ll still take them post-pandemic.
2 – Outdated electronics (be sure to destroy any drives or cards that hold information).
3 – Obsolete technology – those 8-track tapes and VHS tapes aren’t likely to make a comeback (yes, I know people who still have them!).
4 – Cords that go to items you no longer own.
5 – Candles with scents you don’t love – see if a friend likes the scent or knows someone to pass them on to.
6 – Paper records not needed for taxes or finances – be sure to shred anything that has sensitive financial or personal data! Abby Lawson has a great course on going paperless in your home – check it out.
7 – Mismatched cups – unless you absolutely LOVE a cup that is a mismatch, donate it. Your cupboards will thank you.
8 – Plastic storage containers without lids – you can keep one or two if you have family or friends who come to visit and bring their pets, but that’s it.
9 – Books you’ve already read that aren’t part of your reference library – donate them to a Friends of the Library group for their annual sale. That way your books will be raising money for a good cause and going to people who will be thrilled to purchase them.
10 – Cookbooks (you can write off or scan the recipes you actually use and love).
11 – Old makeup and toiletries – I did learn from a former drama teacher that they are happy to take old makeup. I thought the “icky” factor would prevent anyone from wanting used makeup but this awesome teacher assured me that drama folks know some tricks.
12 – Old cameras – the only people who were interested in these at a previous garage sale were little kids who enjoyed playing make-believe.
13 – Craft projects that you’ll never finish (get real with yourself!).
14 – CD and DVD plastic cases. You might even get rid of the actual CDs and DVDs if you’ve got them backed up somewhere else – after all, you can store a lot of these on your computer or a cloud service.
15 – Clothing and purses that are out of style – again, your school drama department will most likely be happy to take these off your hands.
16 – Kid’s artwork – you can photograph it to preserve the memories or designate a set number of containers to hold it – just don’t exceed that predetermined limit.
17 – Puzzles with missing pieces or that you’ve already completed.
18 – Toys your kids have outgrown – check if your local day care, church nursery, or pediatric office might want them if you don’t want to have a garage sale.
19 – Toys that are broken – don’t even donate them. Just get rid of them. No other child wants to play with broken toys either.
20 – Suitcases without wheels – you know you aren’t going to struggle with them on your next trip!
21 – Non-mechanical pencils – but your local school will take them.
22 – Out of date or old canned and boxed food. If you find foods that are still good but that your family doesn’t like, donate them to a church or food bank. Or find a friend whose family will enjoy them and bless her a little.
23 – Worn and non-absorbent bath bath towels – check with your local animal shelter because they may be thrilled to take these off your hands.
24 – Bed sheets with the elastic stretched out to the point they won’t stay on the bed.
25 – Anything you’re saving “just in case.”
26 – Anything you’ve already got three or more of.
27 – Packets of condiments you saved from your last take-out dinner.
28 – Old eyeglasses – I know that lots of charitable organizations (like The Lion’s Club) take these to repurpose.
29 – Out of date reference materials (that’s what the internet is for). You may find crafters who will use these in some projects but that’s probably the only people who will be interested in them…however, a senior citizen’s center might take them if they have a reading room.
30 – Wire clothes hangers (invest in some decent ones that are better for your clothes) – a dry cleaner may take these off your hands.
31 – Miscellaneous coffee mugs – pare these down to your absolute favorites.
32 – Sample toiletries – donate to a homeless or women’s shelter.
33 – Chipped pottery – artisans who make mosaics might want these.
34 – Old buttons – your local kindergarten or special education teacher might want these to help teach fine motor skills OR your local high school Home Ec. teacher may be able to use these in her class.
35 – Blankets you’re not using – homeless shelters can use these.
36 – Bath towels with holes in them – give them to the animal pound.
37 – China, crystal, or serving dishes and platters that you never, ever use.
38 – Kitchen appliances you never use – do you really need 4 slow cookers?
39 – Throw pillows that don’t compliment your decor – or get pillow covers and use these old pillows as the inserts instead of buying new ones.
40 – Excess plastic bags – recycle them.
41 – Textbooks and papers from your college days.
42 – Promotional items such as pens, magnets, mugs – use the stuff you really enjoy instead.
43 – Wine you were given but don’t like – surely you know someone else who would appreciate and enjoy the bottle – or go ahead and open it and use it in sauces where the brand isn’t super important.
44 – Clothing that’s been passed down from relatives. Unless it’s your size, style, and you actually wear it it’s just taking up precious space and someone else can use it.
45 – Holiday decorations you no longer display.
46 – Pet supplies once you no longer own a pet.
47 – Cheap photo frames.
48 – Gift wrapping paper and bows that aren’t in pristine shape.
49 – College yearbooks when yours is the only photo you recognize – the school these are from may want these to put in their libraries.
50 – Souvenir items.
51 – Cheap jewelry that turns your skin green or that is not a current trend.
52 – Duplicate kitchen items – how many whisks does one kitchen really need?
53 – Photos of ancestors you don’t even recognize – make a digital copy if you like but unless there is some value in the actual photograph get rid of it.
54 – Old calendars and datebooks (do you ever refer to them?).
55 – Ratty, stretched out underwear (treat yourself nice and get some new ones).
56 – Old bed pillows. Don’t save them for guests either – no one likes that!
Places that will (most likely) take donations
1 – Homeless shelters
2 – Women’s shelters
3 – Animal shelters – bed linens, rags
4 – Schools – think art teachers, drama teachers, home economics department, shop classes, and general supplies
5 – Day care facilities – toys, outgrown clothes (after all, sometimes kids need a change of clothing and don’t have one), yard type play equipment
6 – Doctor’s offices and hospital waiting rooms – magazines
7 – Friends of the Library groups – books, magazines, movies, music, (sometimes even sheet music!)
8 – Senior citizen’s facilities – books, magazines, old movies
9 – Church nurseries – toys
10 – Food pantries – non-perishable food items, cleaning and paper goods, paper and plastic bags for easy loading
11 – Crafting groups – think quilters, mosaics, knitters, etc.
12 – Church kitchens – think extra dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans, appliances, linens, etc.
Getting rid of clutter makes a house feel lighter and cleaner. And it makes us feel better in our surroundings. It’s nice when you can achieve those things while also maybe helping out someone else at the same time.
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I’m a retired educator, mom of three adult children, cancer warrior, sandwich generation member, and lover of life!
I help older women create & live a life they love through radical self acceptance, unapologetic goal pursuit, and relishing the joys of home.
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