Clutter can sneak up on you, filling your space with stuff you don’t really need. It’s easy to hold onto things out of habit, but often those items just take up room and add unnecessary stress.

Knowing what you can toss without regret helps you clear your space and your mind. When you get rid of what’s truly unnecessary, you create a more comfortable, organized environment that feels better to live in.

Expired receipts

You probably don’t need to hang on to every receipt you’ve ever gotten. Once the return or warranty period is past, those papers just take up space.

Old receipts can fade and become unreadable anyway. Tossing expired receipts clears out clutter without losing anything important.

If you want to keep records, consider snapping photos or scanning receipts before tossing them. This way, you still have proof without the paper pile. For more ideas, check out this list of things to toss today.

Old junk mail

You probably have stacks of old junk mail lying around. Most of it is outdated offers and ads you won’t use.

Toss it quickly to clear up space. It doesn’t serve any purpose once it’s past its date.

Getting rid of junk mail frees your surfaces and helps reduce clutter fast. For tips on handling mail clutter, check out this guide on decluttering junk mail.

Half-used candles

You probably have half-used candles sitting around, especially seasonal ones. They often lose their scent or just don’t fit your current vibe.

Tossing them frees up space and clears out clutter without missing much. If you want, you can recycle the jars by melting the leftover wax. For tips on this, check out ideas for repurposing old candle jars.

Empty spice jars

You probably have empty spice jars cluttering your kitchen. If they’re not labeled or reused, they just take up space.

Tossing those clear glass or plastic jars frees up shelf room. If you want containers, buy new ones with lids that seal well, like these 4 oz small empty spice containers.

No need to keep jars that aren’t doing anything for you.

Broken hairbrushes

If your hairbrush is cracked or missing bristles, it’s time to let it go. A worn-out brush can damage your hair more than help it.

Switching to a new one can make a noticeable difference in how your hair feels. Plus, you probably won’t even miss the old, broken brush once it’s gone.

Consider upgrading to a wooden handle brush for better durability and comfort.
More on hairbrush durability

Worn-out nail files

If your nail files have lost their grit, they’re not doing you any favors. You can try cleaning certain types like crystal files with a toothbrush and soap to extend their life.

But once they stop shaping nails smoothly, it’s time to toss them. Holding onto old, ineffective nail files just clutters your space. Consider swapping them for new ones for better results.

For more tips on nail files, check out this guide on restoring crystal nail files.

Chipped coffee mugs

If your favorite mug has a chip, it’s time to let it go. Chips can harbor bacteria that regular washing won’t remove, making it unsafe to use.

You won’t miss it once it’s gone. Instead, repurpose it as a pen holder or small planter to keep using it in a new way, avoiding waste and clutter. See more ideas on how to repurpose chipped mugs here.

Missing-piece puzzles

If you have puzzles missing a piece, you don’t have to keep them. Chances are, you won’t miss that one piece during future game nights.

You can toss the incomplete puzzle or try a DIY replacement for the missing piece if you’re attached to it. Check out a simple guide to making a puzzle piece replacement if you want to keep puzzling without frustration.

Faded magazines

You probably have a stack of old magazines that have lost their color and appeal. They rarely get opened once they’re out of date.

Holding onto them just takes up space, and you won’t miss flipping through old articles. If you want to keep a favorite piece, snap a quick photo before tossing.

Clearing out those faded magazines can instantly make your space feel less cluttered. For more ideas on things to drop, see 250 Things to Throw Away.

Old contact lens cases

You probably have a few old contact lens cases lying around. They’re not exactly useful once you stop using contacts regularly.

While some people repurpose them for tiny storage or crafts, most of us don’t need them. Tossing these cases frees up space without any real loss.

Just make sure they’re clean before you throw them away to avoid any residue. For creative ideas, check out unexpected uses for contact lens cases.

Torn or stained clothing

You probably won’t miss clothes that are torn or stained beyond repair. These items usually don’t look or feel good anymore.

Holding onto them can crowd your closet and make it harder to find things you actually like to wear.

If the stains won’t come out or holes are too big, it’s time to let those pieces go. Check ideas for handling old clothes that can’t be donated here.

Outdated makeup

You probably have some old makeup sitting around that you haven’t touched in months—or even years. Expired foundation, mascara, and lipstick can cause skin irritation or infections, so it’s best to toss them.

If you’re worried about waste, you can sanitize and repurpose some containers. Otherwise, clearing out old makeup will free up space and keep your routine fresh. Check out tips on how to safely let go of expired products here.

Rusty kitchen utensils

If you find rusty utensils in your drawer, it’s a good idea to toss them. Rust isn’t great for your food, and it can affect taste and safety.

Using rusty tools isn’t as risky as a rusty nail wound, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry. You’re unlikely to miss them since there are plenty of clean options to cook with. For more details, check this Quora discussion on rusty utensils.

Cracked phone chargers

If your phone charger’s cable is cracked or fraying, it’s time to toss it. Using damaged chargers can be unsafe and might harm your device.

You probably have backups, so getting rid of the old ones won’t leave you stuck. Plus, replacing them keeps your charging reliable and hassle-free.

Consider buying chargers that sit flat to avoid bending and breaking again. You’ll thank yourself later. For simple fix ideas, check out easy ways to fix broken chargers.

Tangled earphones

You know how your wired earphones always get tangled no matter what? It’s frustrating and wastes your time untangling them.

If you mostly use wireless earbuds now, those old wires are just clutter. Tossing your tangled earphones frees up space and cuts down on the annoyance.

Consider using a small case to avoid tangles if you keep them. Otherwise, ditching them is easy and you likely won’t miss them. Check out tips for keeping earphones untangled here.