It’s easy to hold onto things “just in case” you might need them someday. You probably have items around your home that take up space but rarely, if ever, get used.

Knowing which everyday items you keep but don’t actually need can help you free up space and reduce clutter. This article will help you spot those things and rethink whether it’s time to let them go.

Expired spices

You probably have a few spice jars that have been sitting around forever. They don’t spoil like food, but they lose their flavor and aroma.

Keeping expired spices “just in case” takes up shelf space without improving your cooking. It’s better to toss them and restock when needed.

Expired spices won’t harm you, but they won’t make your meals taste good either. Let go of those old bottles for fresher flavors source.

Old phone chargers

You probably have a drawer full of old phone chargers, right? Most likely, you haven’t used half of them in years.

Unless you keep one for a device you still own, those cables just take up space. It’s okay to toss the rest or recycle them responsibly.

Holding onto chargers “just in case” rarely pays off, since new devices often need different cables. You can check tips on dealing with old electronics here.

Extra coffee mugs

You probably have more coffee mugs than you actually use. Those extra mugs often sit in cabinets, waiting for guests who rarely come.

Keeping them “just in case” might seem practical, but most go untouched for months or years. It’s easier to declutter and keep only a few you love or use regularly.

If you want ideas on tackling items like this, check out tips for dealing with extra coffee mugs.

Worn-out bath towels

You probably hold onto old towels “just in case” they come in handy. But if they’re threadbare or rough, they aren’t doing much good.

Consider donating them to animal shelters instead. This clears space and gives your towels a second life where they’re truly useful.

Keeping too many towels, especially worn-out ones, just adds clutter to your bathroom or linen closet.

Unused birthday candles

You probably have a stash of birthday candles sitting around that you never touch. They seem handy “just in case” someone’s birthday pops up.

But chances are, you end up buying new ones or forgetting about the old ones. If they’ve been there for years, it might be time to let them go and free up some space.

Random screws and nails

You probably have a box full of random screws and nails sitting around “just in case.” Most of the time, you don’t end up using them because they don’t fit your current projects.

Holding onto them feels like a smart move, but these bits often just clutter your space. If you want to keep some, stick to common sizes you’ll actually use. For extra ideas on managing these, check out this discussion on random screws and bolts.

Partially used glue sticks

You probably keep glue sticks “just in case” a craft project pops up. But once they start drying out or get crumbly, they’re not going to work well.

Instead of holding onto those sad, half-used sticks, toss them and grab fresh ones when you really need them. It saves space and frustration.

Old paint cans

You probably have old paint cans stored away “just in case.” Most of the time, you won’t use that exact color again.

Old paint can dry out, making it useless. When it’s time to declutter, check with local services for safe disposal options to avoid tossing it in the trash.

Hanging on to these cans can just take up space without much benefit. You’d be better off freeing up that spot. For more information on disposing of paint properly, visit this safe paint disposal guide.

Broken or unused kitchen gadgets

You probably have a few kitchen gadgets that haven’t seen the light of day in months. If it’s broken or you haven’t used it in a long time, it’s just taking up space.

Holding onto things “just in case” rarely pays off. Toss or donate those unused gadgets to free up room and simplify your kitchen. For more ideas on what to ditch, check out this list of unused kitchen gadgets cluttering your home.

Plastic bags saved forever

You probably have a stash of plastic bags saved “just in case.” It feels like they might come in handy someday.

Most of the time, you don’t end up using them. Instead, they pile up and create clutter.

If you keep them, try using them as garbage liners or for packing small items. Otherwise, it’s okay to let go of the extras. For more ideas, see this discussion on decluttering plastic bags.

Extra takeout sauce packets

You probably grab a handful of sauce packets every time you order food “just in case.” But chances are, many of those packets just sit in your kitchen drawer, unused.

They can be awkward to store and often end up expired or dried out. It might be smarter to keep only a couple for emergencies instead of hoarding piles.

For more tips on this, check out this discussion on sauce packets.

Old promotional pens

You probably have a drawer full of those free pens companies handed out years ago. They’re easy to keep because they don’t seem to take up much space.

But chances are, you rarely use them. Most end up dried out or lost before you actually need one. Holding onto them “just in case” rarely pays off. Many fountain pen users suggest not keeping these low-value items long-term like on Reddit.