Often-Forgotten Things You Should Be Decluttering

Decluttering is something that many of us complete throughout the year. Sometimes multiple times throughout the year. There are many challenges and checklists available that help guide you through this room by room – though, there are many things that don’t make these lists. Beyond closets and kitchen drawers, there are some hidden spaces in your life that really could use a reset. Here is a list of often-forgotten things that you should be decluttering!

Often-Forgotten Things you Should Be Decluttering

Here are eleven often-forgotten things that many people forget that they should be decluttering on a regular basis.

Phone

When was the last time you actually cleaned your phone? Not just the outside of the phone, but actually cleaned out the storage on your phone.

Start at the photo gallery. Go through and delete old screenshots, blurry photos and random photos that were taken when you accidentally knocked your phone, or ones that your kids took of the floor or their feet. There might be photos of items you were looking at purchasing or trying to sell there too! Make sure to backup any photos that you want to keep as well.

The next thing on the phone to declutter is your apps. If they are not organised into folders, you can do this as well. Chances are you will find apps that you haven’t used in a long time, so delete if you aren’t going to use them anytime soon.

Some other things to tidy up are your files, contacts and notes. Remove outdated contacts, clear out old grocery lists or notes that you will not use again. All of this will help free up space and mental clutter on your phone.

Also, if you have any old phones laying around, maybe it is time to let them go. Make sure to clear them first and return to factory settings.

Emails

Be honest, how many emails do you have in your inbox? How many do you have that are unread? Do you keep every email ‘just in case?’

If you have hundreds or thousands of emails sitting in your inbox, it it time to declutter it.

Delete what you don’t need and organise the rest into folders. Aim to keep your inbox as clear as possible. A clean inbox can make you feel lighter and more focused – a small change that has a big impact.

Books

Take a look at all the books and magazines you have collected over time. Will you read any of them again? Be realistic!

If you aren’t going to read it again and it is just sitting there collecting dust, think about donating it. Free up some space at your place and let someone else enjoy the story.

This also includes magazines and newspapers that you aren’t going to read again as well.

Paperwork and Bills

Yes, it is necessary to keep important documents, but usually they are only needed for a set amount of time – not forever.

Go through all your paperwork and bills and remove all the ones that are outdated and no longer needed. If you want, you can scan copies of them and store them digitally before shredding them.

Do you have outdated coupons laying around? The expired ones can be tossed out.

Sheets and Towels

Linen closest tend to fill up. When you purchase new ones, do you remove the old ones?

Ones that are still usable can be donated, some older ones can even be donated to animal shelters.

Remove the ones that you aren’t using and repurpose or give away the rest.

Crafts

Are you a crafty person? Do you have kids that are craft?

How often do you go through all the craft supplies? Old glue that doesn’t stick anymore; pens that don’t work or small scraps of paper or material that are too small to use – throw out what is not working or needed anymore.

If you or your children have completed painting or similar crafts, do you really need to keep them all? Keep some and digitalise the rest by taking photos or scanning them.

Souvenirs

Though souvenirs are meaningful, they can add up rather quickly.

Go through these keepsakes and ask yourself – Do I remember this trip? Does this item still mean something to me? If not, it may be time to let it go.

Think about taking photos of sentimental items then donate them. You’ll preserve the memory without keeping the clutter.

Chargers and Cords

Do you have a random drawer or cupboard full of excess chargers and cords?

Chances are you don’t actually own some of the appliances or equipment that uses some of these cords or chargers anymore.

Go through them, test them and label the ones that you are keeping. Responsibly get rid of the excess or ones you don’t need anymore.

Pet Supplies

Do you pets have toys laying around the place?

Check all the toys and purge any that may be starting to break, or fall apart or don’t get used that much anymore.

Remember to check any sweaters, blankets, bedding, and extra leashes or bowls as well as the toys.

More Resources to Help you Declutter

Let’s Declutter!

There are so many more things that you probably have laying around that are often forgotten when purging.

So are you ready for this list of often-forgotten things you should be decluttering?

Expired food from both the pantry and fridges
Extra sauce packets you keep
Old / torn linen – tea towels, bath towels, face washers, hand towels, sheets
Appliances that are no longer used
Storage containers that have lost their lids
Stationary – Dried out pens, markers, pencils that are too short
Manuals for appliances or electronics
Board Games and puzzles with missing pieces
Toys that don’t get played with or are broken
Any decor that is not used or you don’t like anymore
Outdated technology and electronics that aren’t being used
Remote controls that you don’t know what they belong to
Pillows / throw pillows that are flat, stained or not being used
Plants that you don’t want anymore
Candles / jars that are almost finished
Jewellery, belts and other accessories that you never wear
Brushes / combs that are broken or unused
Nail polish that is dried up, or that you are not going to wear again
Skin care products that aren’t being used or out of don’t – chapsticks, free makeup and bags, sample-sized toiletries
Toiletries that are almost empty or that you don’t like
Stretched out or broken hair ties
Expired medications, sunscreen and skincare products
Loofahs or shower poufs that have been replaced
Cleaning supplies that are not going to be used
Clothes that don’t fit or you don’t wear
Mismatched socks or ones with holes
Underwear that have holes or you don’t wear
Broken clothes hangers or ones that you don’t use anymore
Shoes that you don’t wear or that hurt your feet
Old, worn out, ones that don’t fit or broken belts
Piles of gift bags or shopping bags that you will never use
Old journals, notebooks or planners that haven’t been used
Old wallet and purses that don’t get used anymore
Magnets you don’t use or love
Old kitchen gloves
One-job tools that you don’t use such as a garlic press, avocado slicer etc.
Pots and pans that aren’t being used
Chipped or cracked mugs, plates and bowls that aren’t being used
Take out menus – if you still have them
Old cookbooks that you don’t use
Duplicate kitchen gadgets such as bottle openers, whisks etc.
Excess grocery bags or reusable shopping bags that aren’t being used
Old placemats or tablecloths that aren’t being used or you don’t love anymore
Freezer-burned food that won’t get eaten
Hats that don’t fit, broken or aren’t worn anymore
Luggage, travel cases and backpacks that have broken zips, are damaged or aren’t going to be used anymore

What to do with what you’ve Decluttered

Now that you have decluttered, you are probably left with a pile of things that you need to purge. But, what do you do with these things?

Things that are clean and in good condition, set aside and donate them.

Food items that your family won’t eat and are still in good condition and in date can be donated to the local food pantry.

Anything that can’t be donated probably needs to go into the trash or recycling.

Decluttering isn’t just about maintaining a tidy home—it’s about lightening your mental load. When you clear out these overlooked areas, you create space not only in your house but in your life.

Why not start with one of these today?

To grab a printable copy of the list, click on the link below:

Often-Forgotten Things You Should Be Decluttering