7 Things You Can Declutter Right Now Without a Second Thought

When we think about decluttering, our minds too often jump to the hardest things we’d ever have to part with. What will I do with all the sentimental items tucked away in boxes? What about the old photos collecting dust in the basement? Should I really get rid of my books?

There’s no doubt that some items in our home will require thought and effort to sort through, and the decisions won’t always be easy.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to start decluttering by getting rid of the hardest things in your home.

In fact, you can make significant progress by beginning with the things that are much easier to let go of. These items may not hold sentimental value or deep meaning, but removing them will still clear up space and bring more order to your home.

Here are 7 things you can declutter without even thinking about it:

1. Clothes You Don’t Wear

We all have clothes hanging in the closet or folded in drawers that we haven’t worn in months—or even years. Whether they don’t fit, aren’t your style anymore, or you simply don’t love them, these clothes are taking up valuable space. If you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s time to let it go.

2. Old Towels and Linens

Old, fraying towels, extra bedsheets that never see the light of day, or those pillowcases that no longer match anything—these are easy items to declutter. You only need a set number of towels and linens in your home, so anything extra or worn out can be donated or recycled.

3. Unidentifiable Items in Your Junk Drawer

We all have that drawer—filled with random screws, old batteries, or small items we can’t even identify. If you can’t remember what an item is for or why it’s there, chances are you don’t need it. Clear out the clutter in your junk drawer and enjoy the fresh space.

4. Mismatched Food Storage Containers

Take a look in your kitchen cabinets and you’ll probably find mismatched food storage containers that have lost their lids or lids without matching containers. If you’ve been holding on to pieces that no longer serve their purpose, now’s the time to get rid of them and simplify your kitchen.

5. Unused or Duplicate Kitchen Utensils

How many spatulas, ladles, or whisks do you really need? If you’ve accumulated more kitchen utensils than you can use, or you have duplicates that sit unused, it’s an easy area to declutter. Keep the tools you use regularly and let go of the rest.

6. Random Cords and Chargers

If you’re holding onto cords, chargers, or cables that you no longer use or can’t even remember what they belong to, it’s time to clear them out. With technology changing so fast, many of those old cables are likely obsolete. If you haven’t used them in months (or years), you can safely declutter them. And, if you do discover 2 years from now, that you actually do need one of them, you can typically order replacements for less than a few bucks.

7. Expired Food

Take a few minutes to go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Expired food items are an obvious choice for decluttering, yet we often overlook them. Toss anything that’s past its expiration date and make room for fresh, usable items.

Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and you don’t have to start with the most difficult items in your home. By tackling these seven easy-to-let-go-of categories, you’ll begin to create more space and experience the relief that comes with simplifying. The hardest items can wait—start with these simple wins and watch your progress grow.