Need to free up space for effective spring cleaning or to make room for future Christmas presents? So, it’s time to put an end to the reign of unused and gathering dust. We know that it’s difficult to declutter and empty with a big sort… We say to ourselves: but what if I need it? Where to start? What if I threw something away by mistake and later regretted it? But believe Grandma, if those old just-in-case dishes, those tasteless decorations left in the packaging or the piling up paperwork seem to create a mess, it’s because you no longer need them. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to donate these items, sell them, recycle them and make new items or throw them away. Here are 17 unnecessary things you can get rid of!
1) Electronic equipment
If it’s dead, it’s dead! Let’s be honest, that old camera or your old remote controls also have rather limited emotional value. Ask in store or around you for recycling. Sometimes you can return them in store if you buy an equivalent.
Do not multiply phone chargers. If you use a new model that charges with a different wire, don’t keep the old one. In short, only keep the essentials!
If you don’t use it, but it still works, make Emmaüs happy. Dust off and donate! I assure you that you do not need three raclette grills and two blenders…
2) Instructions for use, outdated warranties, restaurant menus… the paperwork!
Most instructions can be found online. And when you know how to use the device, keeping the instructions becomes superfluous. If you have had a device for several years and the warranty has expired, there is a chance that it is no longer useful (planned obsolescence does not raise eyebrows in appliance stores… it suits them!).
Finally, we find online menus for many restaurants as well as the services offered by a company on their website. As for business cards, same fight!
3) Incomplete board games
If you have games with missing pieces, don’t keep them. What would Cluedo be without its Colonel Mustard? Or Monopoly without Avenue de la Paix? Make a clear space!
4) Pens or markers that no longer work, unused supplies and crumpled wrapping paper
5) Clothes that are too small or too big, things that are out of fashion or that no longer match your current style
If you don’t feel good in an item of clothing or can’t see yourself ever wearing it again, there’s no question! Again, if you don’t use them, make yourself happy. And if the clothes are threadbare or too worn with stains that no longer come out, use them differently. Make tea towels to use less paper towels for example.
6) Old cosmetics and other old care products
Better to throw away products that you have had for too long. Especially those that are used on the face and which could give you pimples. Facial powders keep very well, but the same cannot be said for creams or foundations that have been used for years…
7) Dictionaries and old magazines
If you’re like Grandma, the charm of books and old dictionaries makes them difficult to throw away and replace with electronics. On the other hand, if you only use online dictionaries, there is no point in keeping your Larousse collection.
8) Laundry that is too old, has holes and worn out as well as your collection of threadbare towels
9) Old lighters lying around. Doesn’t it work? Hop, trash!
10) Excess utensils and other tools, household products by the thousand
No, you don’t need two can openers or the utensils you bought on impulse that ultimately seem like great gadgets and are left in the packaging at the bottom of the drawer. Same fight for tools or household products purchased because of advertising and which ultimately turn out to be worthless or useless: we give!
11) Les VHS
If they don’t contain family films, rare or valuable films that you want to transfer to a DVD: OUST!
12) Medications
No need to keep a stock in case of war, an expired medicine will certainly not be of much help!!! Check the date of commonly used medications. As for those for which you are no longer sure of the use or for an unusual illness, we are not going to draw you a drawing…Of course we do not throw them in the trash and even less in the toilet! The pharmacist is obliged to take back your unused medications and syringes free of charge.
13) Single socks
When a sock has been single for too long and you consider it a basket case or if they have holes, use them to clean or put baking soda in them and slip them into your smelly shoes.
14). Sports equipment and toys of a child who has grown up, school objects
We give or we sell!
Throw away anything that doesn’t make you laugh, smile or cry. I doubt that an old math notebook or old vacation notebooks for a fourth grader will move you and serve you…Same thing for the collection of Barbie dolls with torn hair who are naked or with only one shoe.
15) Shopping bags
We buy more each time and end up with a huge collection. For next time, keep some in the car and/or handbag, a few at home. Point.
16) Vases or unused decoration
If you always use the same vase, the other 15 are unlikely to be used. Be honest, admit your favoritism and say goodbye to unused decor without remorse.
17) Anything saved for a “special occasion” that never happened
“Special occasion” = not very convincing excuse to keep unnecessary things. Here are signs not to ignore:
- As soon as you like an object, but you don’t adore it
- If you think it might be useful, but it’s never been used
- When you see something and realize you forgot it
- When you find something that won’t be of immediate use to you
- If an item of clothing has not been worn for a year
- Etc.
Is your closet overflowing with clothes? Read our questions to ask yourself to clear out your wardrobe!