A Checklist of 100 Things to Declutter Now

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Clutter can show up in a lot of different ways.

Whether it’s random items taking over your countertops…

Closets full of clothes you haven’t worn in years…

Or a cabinet overflowing with glasses and mugs you rarely (if ever) use.

If you’ve been wanting to declutter your home but aren’t sure where to start, this list will help you gain the momentum you need to take that first step.

Kitchen and pantry

• Sponges, brushes, and dish scrubbers that are worn (or gross)
• Food storage containers that no longer have a purpose (especially the ones with missing pieces)
• Expired food in your fridge, freezer, and pantry
• Tinned food you don’t plan on using (you can donate this)
• Expired spices and seasonings
• Packaged sauces and dressings you only use occasionally or are out of date
• Unused small appliances you don’t use or have broken/missing pieces (Do you really need 3 coffee makers?)
• Expired vitamins or supplements
• Unused cookbooks
• Mugs and glasses you “just don’t like” to drink out of
• Any extra plates or silverware you no longer need or use
• Cooking utensils you don’t use
• Scratched nonstick pans
• Unused pots or pans
• Worn oven mitts with holes
• Extra magnets you never use on the fridge
• Items under the sink that are no longer needed
• Printed or saved recipes you don’t use

Bedroom/closet

• Clothes that no longer fit or are uncomfortable to wear
• Clothing with holes, rips, stains, or faded colors (unless they still serve a purpose)
• Clothes you haven’t worn in a year
• Pajamas you don’t sleep in
• Underwear that is uncomfortable or has rips or holes
• Shoes you never wear or find uncomfortable
• Old shoe boxes
• Discarded gift wrap and bags
• Unused purses/handbags/wallets
• Old backpacks that are no longer used
• Bridesmaid/old prom dresses
• Jewelry you no longer wear/like
• Earrings without matches
• Old belts and ties that are broken or bent beyond repair (or missing a buckle)
• Ripped or frayed bedsheets/pillowcases/blankets
• Nightstand clutter
• Kids’ toys that are no longer played with or are broken
• Games and puzzles with missing pieces
• Sheets that no longer fit (maybe you upgraded to a larger bed recently?)

Laundry room

• Empty detergent bottles or other containers
• Old or broken laundry baskets that you no longer use
• Unused dryer sheets or fabric softener
• Socks that do not have matches

Living room

• Old remote controls
• Old entertainment center items (DVD players, video game consoles)
• DVDs, CDs, or video games you no longer use
• Outdated decor and furniture with no sentimental value and doesn’t match your style anymore
• Coffee table books or magazines that are not read
• Extra coasters

Bathroom

• Expired makeup you’ve had forever
• Empty product bottles
• Hair styling tools you never use
• Old contact lens cases
• Dried-up nail polish
• Old nail files
• Plastic shower caddies with missing pieces
• Expired medicine or vitamins
• Any old prescriptions that are out of date (contact your doctor if needed to see how you can safely dispose of them)
• Old towels and washcloths that have tears, stains, faded colors, or do not match the rest
• Old toothbrushes (replace every 3-4 months!)
• Cleaning supplies you never use
• Perfumes or body sprays you don’t like or use
• Old bath mats that are not being used

Garage/basement/outdoor

• Exercise equipment you no longer use
• Holiday decorations you never put up
• Boxes you are storing random items in that do not have a home or use anymore
• Toys and sporting equipment not being used
• Garden tools that are dull or rusty
• Ladders no longer in use, with missing pieces/broken parts
• Paint supplies left over from a past painting project that have dried up or are out of date
• Umbrellas that are damaged or broken
• Tools you never use (or can’t remember where they came from)
• Tools in need of repair and have been sitting around for a while collecting dust (and cobwebs)
• Storage containers with missing pieces

Office/paper items to declutter

• Expired coupons
• Old utility bills (or duplicate copies)
• Unopened mail
• Junk mail and flyers
• Old notebooks
• Out-of-date calendars, planners, and organizers
• Expired warranties
• Old greeting cards (unless they are special to you)
• Empty folders that serve no purpose
• Misc. piles of paperwork cluttering your desk
• Pens and markers that no longer work
• Old restaurant menus

Misc. items to declutter

• Books you will never read again
• Old textbooks from college
• Old phone cases
• Old phones and/or other unused or broken electronics
• Useless power cords
• Broken crayons and other art supplies
• Old product manuals
• Old business cards
• Old or unused lightbulbs
• Lamps that do not work
• Unused mattresses, desks, or other large items
• Any throw rugs you don’t use and/or like
• Unused candles and candle holders
• Dusty knickknacks taking up space
• Product samples or useless items from events
• Whiteboards that are not used

More cleaning printables

• Deep Cleaning Checklist
• Chore Chart Printables
• House Cleaning Checklists