5 Things You’re Keeping ‘Just in Case’—But Organizers Say You Should Toss Today

Kitchen Gadgets

You may have given up on zoodles, but the spiralizer’s still there—alongside the other ghosts of kitchen trends past. “Oh, the kitchen gadget graveyard,” Teeple says. “Most homes have one: that drawer or cabinet full of well-intentioned tools—popsicle molds, avocado slicers, or spiralizers—that seemed life-changing in the moment but never made it into the regular rotation.”

If you can’t recall the last time you broke out the panini maker or fancy ice mold, feel free to offload those via garage sale or your local Buy Nothing group.

Owner’s Manuals

Honestly, when’s the last time you sorted through that giant pile of owner’s manuals to help troubleshoot your issue? If your TV or air fryer is on the fritz, you’re more likely to search online for the solution. So go ahead and clear a lot of space by ditching all of those manuals you have sitting around—they’re all online. (We promise!)

Gifts You Don’t Use

When someone gives you something, it can be hard to let go of—but remember that it’s the thought that counts, not the item. “When it comes to gifts, we usually get the response that whoever gifted the item will come over and ask for that specific thing—which I think is more of just a fear than would actually happen,” Hord says.

Device Cords (Without Devices)

You know you have it—a bin or a drawer filled with all those weird cords—just in case you ever need to boot up your iPhone 5 again or finally figure out what that weird looking cord is for. “Cords represent potential—kind of like a ‘maybe someday’ mindset,” says Jennifer Johnson of the Orderly Space. “Maybe I’ll find out what this goes to. Maybe I’ll need it in an emergency.”

But Johnson says you should consider this your permission to let them go. “Worst case scenario? You end up needing to buy a new cord. Best case? You reclaim space and some sanity in the process!”

Clothes You Don’t Fit Into

There’s a reason this comes up on almost every decluttering list. Because no matter how often you hear “You shouldn’t hold on to clothes that don’t fit,” no one likes to give away those jeans that have gotten too snug. But Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly, says you’re better off sharing those beloved clothing items with others.