12 Things In Your House A Professional Organizer Would Remove

Clutter has a way of stealing calm from even the nicest homes. I’ve talked with professional organizers who pinpoint exactly what tends to cause the biggest mess – and what’s safe to let go of without regret. These are the items that pile up, crowd your surfaces, and quietly eat away at your peace of mind.

Knowing what to toss first can make clearing your space feel less overwhelming and more freeing. If you’re ready to breathe easier at home, this list is a great place to start.

1. Expired Pantry Items

Those ancient spices and mystery canned goods lurking in the back of your pantry? They’re taking up prime real estate! I regularly find food items that expired years ago when helping clients organize their kitchens. Not only do these items waste space, but they can attract pests and potentially make you sick.

Pull everything out twice yearly and check expiration dates. You’ll be amazed how much usable space you’ll reclaim once the old stuff is gone.

2. Mismatched Food Containers

Ever spent precious minutes searching for the right lid to a plastic container? That chaotic drawer of mismatched food storage items drives professional organizers crazy! Take an hour to match everything up and discard orphaned pieces.

Keep only complete sets that stack neatly. Your future self will thank you when packing leftovers becomes effortless rather than a frustrating treasure hunt. Quality always beats quantity here.

3. Paper Piles

Paper accumulates faster than almost anything else in homes. Mail, school papers, receipts, and magazines create visual chaos and harbor dust. Most can be digitized or simply tossed. Create a simple system: one basket for incoming items and 15 minutes weekly to process it.

Scan important documents using your smartphone. For sentimental items like children’s artwork, photograph them before discarding. You’ll dramatically reduce those intimidating piles while preserving what truly matters.

4. Duplicate Kitchen Gadgets

How many measuring cups do you actually need? Kitchen drawers often hide multiple versions of the same tools. Gadgets promised to make cooking easier but actually create crowded, frustrating storage spaces.

Keep the highest quality version of each item and donate the rest. Someone else might love that avocado slicer you never use! Focus on versatile tools that serve multiple purposes rather than single-use gadgets. Your cooking experience will improve with streamlined options.

5. Unworn Clothing

Most people wear just 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. Those “someday” items hanging unworn for years are stealing valuable closet space and making daily outfit selection harder. Try the hanger trick: turn all hangers backward, then only return them to normal after wearing each item.

After six months, you’ll clearly see what never gets used. Be honest about what fits and what you truly love. Your mornings will become less stressful with a curated wardrobe.

6. Unread Books

Books create a warm atmosphere, but unread volumes you’ll realistically never open are just collecting dust. Those aspirational philosophy texts or gift books that don’t match your interests are prime candidates for removal.

Keep only books you’ll reference again or that bring genuine joy. Consider donating others to schools, little free libraries, or shelters. If you’re hesitant, try boxing up questionable titles for six months – if you don’t miss them, you have your answer.

7. Bathroom Product Excess

Half-empty shampoo bottles, free hotel toiletries, and unused makeup samples create bathroom chaos. These items multiply quickly and expire faster than you think. Consolidate partially used products where possible. Toss anything expired – yes, cosmetics do expire!

Commit to using up products before buying replacements. For hotel items, either use them for travel or donate to homeless shelters. Your morning routine will feel luxurious with a simplified collection of products you actually love.

8. Old Electronics

Outdated phones, broken headphones, mystery cables for devices you no longer own – we all have that drawer! These technological relics take up space and contain materials that shouldn’t end up in landfills. Many retailers offer electronics recycling programs. For working items, consider donating to schools or community centers. Only keep chargers that match devices you currently use. Label the ones you keep to avoid future confusion. You’ll free up drawer space while responsibly handling these hard-to-dispose items.

9. Excessive Gift Wrap Supplies

The gift wrap stash that’s grown into an unmanageable collection needs addressing! Half-used rolls, crumpled tissue paper, and ribbon scraps often take up entire closets despite being used just a few times yearly.

Select a few versatile papers and ribbons that work for multiple occasions. Store them vertically in a container that limits growth. Consider fabric gift bags that recipients can reuse. For occasional gift-givers, gift bags from stores often suffice without keeping extensive supplies on hand.

10. Neglected Exercise Equipment

That treadmill-turned-clothing-rack represents both wasted space and unfulfilled intentions. Bulky fitness equipment often becomes household monuments to goals abandoned. Be realistic about your exercise preferences.

If you haven’t used something in six months, it’s probably time to sell or donate it. Consider space-efficient alternatives like resistance bands or online fitness classes. Removing these large items creates physical and mental space for activities you genuinely enjoy.

11. Excessive Mugs and Glasses

Cabinet space is precious, yet many kitchens overflow with drinking vessels! Promotional mugs, souvenir cups, and glasses from different sets create unnecessary crowding. Keep only what fits comfortably in your cabinets – ideally enough for your household plus a few extras for guests.

Choose favorites that bring joy or serve specific purposes. Novelty items used once yearly should be reconsidered. Your morning coffee ritual will feel more peaceful with an intentional collection rather than a jumbled assortment.

12. Sentimental Clutter

Children’s crafts, inherited items you don’t actually like, and souvenirs from every trip create emotional clutter that’s hard to address. These items often remain solely due to guilt rather than genuine attachment. Select representative pieces that truly spark joy.

Photograph the rest before letting go. Remember that memories reside in your heart, not objects. Create a designated “memory box” with strict space limits for truly special items. You’ll honor those memories while preventing them from overwhelming your present living space.