How often do you pass by an item or a pile in your home and say, "I need to deal with that"? We all have one or more areas in our homes that become our catchall areas. And since we don't have time to spend on it, it grows until it becomes so large that just looking at it seems overwhelming. This post was created to provide you with direction on how to clear clutter quickly. I recommend working your way through these unique items and removing the mess now. When you are finished, you will have more space, and you will also feel lighter and clearer about your goals and what you want next. Getting rid of the things you don't use will allow someone else to value the items and make them their own.
Jump to:
Have you gotten so used to the stuff piling up around your home that you don't even recognize it anymore? Well, if you need a wake-up call. Visit this awaken to the clutter posts first before tackling anything on this list.
24 Unique Items to Get Rid of NOW to Clear Clutter Fast
Turn on one of our Spotify playlists, and let's begin!
Old sheets that are worn or not used.
These bed sheets can be repurposed as drop cloths (affiliate) when painting. Visit our post about why your sheets should not be kept in the bathroom linen closet.
Ripped or faded towels.
How many towels do you use right now that are a little shabby? I bet you have at least two. Don't forget to get rid of the hand towels and washcloths.
Unused wedding gifts.
I worked with clients that had A LOT of unused wedding gifts. These are great to sell to consignments since they are usually in their original boxes (affiliate).
Unused holiday decorations.
We change our decorations, so going through the boxes (affiliate) at the end of the season is a great time to get rid of unused or broken things.
Tablecloths that are worn or never used.
Plastic or fabric tablecloths get worn over time, so when replacing them, get rid of the older ones.
Tools that don't work.
Another clear clutter-fast item is a household tool you don't use any longer. Donate it to household resale places like Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Unused small appliances.
These unused small appliances may have been given to you as a gift (affiliate) from your wedding. They are usually items that were never used or used once or twice. Donate them right away.
Worn or unused plastic water bottles.
Reusable water bottles take up a lot of space. They could be too heavy, or they don't fit in the cup holders. Remove any bottles with scratches on the inside. Recycle them if you can. You can also repurpose by cutting off the top part of the bottle and adding soil and herb seeds like basil or parsley for a quick kitchen garden on the windowsill.
Unused Musical Instruments.
I recently got rid of small instruments I received as a gift (affiliate). These clear clutter items include sheet music and other accessories. They were never used and were taking up space. Pitch it. Ah, more room now.
Bins you haven't used from the last organizing project you did.
Are there bins you didn't use after organizing a room and didn't want to return to the store? These items also need attention. It's a good idea to see if family members could use them or donate them to first-year college students for their dorm rooms.
Leftover craft pieces from your kids' last art project.
I had a bin of just these pieces, and when I was reorganizing, I realized I was keeping too many. The container was gone, and so was the stuff inside.
Bridesmaid dresses or prom dresses
Another clear-the-clutter fast item is formal attire, such as bridesmaid dresses and prom dresses. Any formalwear that looks dated can be given away. I only have my wedding dress left. Everything else was donated. Yay!
Items with missing parts: earrings, socks, shoes, games
If they are gold jewelry pieces, go to the Cash for Gold place. Even if you only get a little bit for them, you can at least use it for something you want and can use. If you clear enough of these items, you can also dispose of the storage item.
Sneakers and Work Boots that Smell or that were replaced
I recommend donating only slightly used sneakers and work boots. Otherwise, it's best to trash them. Please don't donate old shoes (affiliate). I had a client years ago who felt that he could donate a pair of shoes (affiliate) that were very well-loved just because he spent a lot of money on them. I had to convince him that it was not acceptable.
Unused comforters or blankets
When clearing out my mom's home, I found every blanket she ever had. Even the ones that I knew growing up. They were still in shape, and we quickly and joyfully donated them to a charity.
Plastic trophies, participation badges, or plaques
Take pictures of them and then pitch them. Contact Trophy Awards to donate your unwanted trophies.
Broken vacuum cleaners or floor cleaners.
The following items to clear the clutter quickly are broken vacuum (affiliate) cleaners and other cleaning tools (affiliate). Recently, we were clearing out my mother-in-law's home, where we found several broken vacuum (affiliate) cleaners and brooms in the basement that we had to dispose of. Rule of thumb: If you replace a tool, dispose of the old one. This will save you a significant amount of space.
Old chairs that are not being used in a home.
If you don't want to fix a chair (affiliate) or upcycle it, as we did here, it's time to get rid of it. I recently got rid of two bistro chairs that were so far gone I couldn't repair them. Now I have so much more room.
Formal Dinnerware.
Formal dinnerware is one that people do not use very often. If you inherited a set and never used it, it's time to donate it. You get rid of it. Never donate to someone who will honor it. If you are in the Silver Spring, Maryland, area, you can check out Pickup Please to donate plates.
Files older than ten years.
You don't need to save them. Just pull out the tax return and shred the rest. If you are a small business owner, be sure to keep backup paperwork on hand, just in case. And don't forget to shred the sensitive items.
Old magazines.
These magazines can be industry-specific or serve as a source of inspiration. All of them can go. After a few months, most of them are accessible online, especially if you have a current subscription. If you can find the magazine online, you don't need to save any of these magazines.
Makeup, hair products, nail polish, and bathroom toiletries are not used.
Check everyone in the cabinet, under the sink, and in the vanity mirror. There are many items that we keep and never use, and the bathroom is a great place to find them. Visit our bathroom items to declutter for a stress-free room post for more tips and things.
Old vases and figurines that you don't love.
And the last clear, clutter-free items are old vases and figurines. I love collecting vases, but they take up a lot of room. The first items you can get rid of are the vases from the florist, unless they are sentimental to you. They weren't worth selling or donating.
As for the figurines, if you received them as an inheritance or gift (affiliate) and do not love them, you can consider donating or trying to sell them.
Now that you have weeded through your piles, where should you get rid of them?
There are many ways to eliminate unwanted clutter. I added some links above for each item. Remember, the quicker you dispose of it after storing it, the better it will be for you, your family, and your home. Below is a list of options. Feel free to choose the one that works best for your situation and is the easiest for you.
7 Ways to Get Rid of Unused Stuff Seamlessly
1st Option: Recycle the item.
Visit our Recycling locations and shredder event page, where you can find local and national recycling centers and shredder (affiliate) events.
2nd Option: Sell at a yard sale.
Make your yard sale unique to what you are selling. Get other people involved in your neighborhood to make it an event. Then, be sure to advertise on social media, in the local paper, on Craigslist, and through any community neighborhood groups like NextDoor. Here are more tips to help you. 21 Proven Garage Sale Tips for a Smashing Success
3rd Option: Donate to your favorite animal shelter.
Visit your local animal shelter or call them to find out what they are looking for at their particular location. Sometimes, the website also has a donation location. Here's the Pennsylvania SPCA donation list or boarding place.
4th Option: Sell at a community yard sale.
Check your local papers at the end of the summer to see what community events are happening. Sometimes, your neighborhood may have a community yard sale where everyone sells their things in one day to get more visitors.
5th Option: Consign the item to a nearby resale store.
Contact locations near you and determine what they need the most. Visit this post for more tips to help you. How to Make Money Selling on Consignment - Tips, Pros & Cons
6th Option: Repurpose the item to reincorporate it into your life.
Visit our DIY projects section, where I repurpose many items to inspire you.
7th Option: Donate the item to your favorite charity or a reputable charitable organization.
Visit our Charitable Locations page for ideas of locations nationally and locally. Or, visit our 15 Charitable locations with a cause post for more ideas.
I hope this clear clutter fast post helps you sort through your stuff and get rid of it quickly.
Now it's your turn. Please leave a message below about your frustrations when clearing the clutter. Feel free to ask questions, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please note that the links above are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate), and at no additional cost to you, I will receive affiliate fees if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Below are some additional downsizing posts to help you declutter your belongings.
Katherine Macey says
A nice thorough writeup. When someone follows this advice, it will move them super far along in their organizing journey!
I love your suggestions for donating and recycling items as well, especially donating items to animal charities. Old towels are particularly good to donate to animal shelters, but you're right, always call first to make sure you're donating items they really need!
Janet Schiesl says
I'll add to your list.
Books you'll never read and empty cardboard boxes. I often see empty boxes filling up so much valuable storage space. For what?
I think books are more challenging for people (me included). I might possibly read it one day, even though I've had it for years and haven't felt the need to crack the cover yet.
Julie Bestry says
What a fabulous list, and I agree about almost everything. My family home has a gorgeous baby grand piano. It had lived in my father's parents' home; it's a bit of a mystery to me, as neither they nor he ever played the piano as far as I know, and they'd had it since at least the Depression (and one wonders why they'd have spent on such a luxury). It's a focal point of the formal living room of my childhood home; my mother doesn't play it, and I live almost a thousand miles away in a smallish, upstairs apartment with a narrow entryway. And yet, this is one musical instrument that I think of more as furniture, even part of family history, and hate the idea of letting it go. It is the exception that proves the rule, I guess.
I'm delighted that you offered so many solutions to sending such items (that you can't use, don't use, and won't use) on their way. To those, I add gifting to individuals who would benefit from and appreciate the gifts; we had an old, very 1970s black-and-white speckled, overstuffed swivel semi-recliner in our basement for years, which became the center-point of our next-door-neighbor's daughter's post-college apartment. Everything old is new again!
Diane N Quintana says
Very good list! As I was reading it, I realized I have some sheets and towels that have seen better days and that I can now release - maybe to an animal shelter. Thanks for the nudge!
Laura says
So funny, I just got rid of old towels and sheets this weekend - they were taking up too much space in the linen closet and had to go! Definitely going to go through your list and tackle some more. It really does feel good to declutter - and makes keeping things tidy so much easier!
Linda Samuels says
What amazing lists- the ones listing easy things to let go of and reduce clutter AND places to give/sell/donate them to! It makes me want to do some quick editing. And being that it's springtime, this is a wonderful season to clear, declutter, and let go. Inspiring lists! Thank you.
Hilda Rodgers says
Great list Sabrina! I need to look through my organizing bins... they seem to multiply before I use them all up.
Hazel Thornton says
Great list! 8th option for getting rid of something: Give it to a specific friend or relative who would really appreciate it (ask first). 9th option: Some things just aren't sellable or recyclable. Toss them in the trash.
Laura @ The Mindful Mom Blographer says
A very comprehensive list! My family and I have done some major decluttering the past year, and have gotten rid of a lot of 'stuff'. Two things I haven't parted with yet are my bridesmaid dresses and my own wedding dress. I have heard of charities taking bridesmaid dresses and giving them to girls who can't afford a prom dress. If I can find one locally, it will likely help me get rid of them easier! Thank you for a great list!
Seana Turner says
Wonderful list! It is amazing how stuff piles up, especially over time. I know I have some table cloths that don't fit any tables I own anymore. I think I've been holding onto them with some vague idea that I'll pass them down to a daughter, but realistically, I should just give them away now. Maybe that is my project for today!