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That souvenir coffee mug collecting dust. The pile of mismatched food storage lids. A drawer packed with takeout chopsticks, sauce packets, and disposable cutlery. While these items may not seem like a big deal, they can slowly fill your kitchen with unnecessary clutter, making the space feel disorganized and harder to use. The good news is that a more functional kitchen is within reach. Whether you love cooking from scratch or mostly reheat leftovers, an organized space makes daily routines easier and more enjoyable.
According to professional organizers and kitchen experts, clearing out the items you no longer need is one of the simplest ways to refresh your kitchen. To help you get started, we asked the pros to identify eight common items that are worth tossing or donating right away. They also share smart ways to give unwanted items a second life, so your decluttering efforts can benefit someone else.
And to ensure your kitchen clean-out lasts, it may be a good idea to shift your purchasing outlook. “Buy expensive and seldom, but make it something good,” says Helen Parker, creative director of DeVol Kitchens. “Just be selective; there is nothing more unappealing than a busy kitchen full of stuff, with no space to cook or enjoy the simplicity of something beautiful.”
Creating a clutter-free kitchen isn't just about having a cleaner space—it's about making everyday life simpler and more enjoyable. Here are the eight things you should toss ASAP.
Any Item That Makes You Say—What Is That?
If you don’t know what it does, you probably don’t need it. “Confidently chuck any random loose pieces or parts that you can’t identify and don’t remember using,” urges Tova Weinstock, a professional organizer and the founder of Tidy Tova. “These have a magical way of appearing in kitchen drawers and bogging people down.”
Any Tools You Don’t Reach for Often
Kitchen designer Sarah Robertson, founder of Studio Dearborn, says that it’s best to examine all your belongings by category when embarking on a decluttering spree: Place glassware you use daily in one area, entertaining supplies in another, and items you reach for even less often elsewhere.
“What’s left are the things you don’t need,” Robertson says. These items tend to include “the perfect starter set of dishes, utensils, pots and pans, etc., for someone moving into a new home for the first time,” she explains.
”Novelty” Coffee Cups
Kitchen and bath designer Jerel Lake is a proponent of saying goodbye to any and all coffee mugs bearing what likely aren’t such witty one-liners. Instead, he recommends swapping in a matching kitchen set of cohesive glassware, dishes, and mugs.
Random Spice Jars
Taking a little time upfront to streamline your spices and their relatives will serve you well in the long run, Lake says. “Spices and oils can tend to get out of control,” he says, noting that he recently decanted all of his staples into matching glass jars with preprinted labels. “It was tedious work, but the result gives a really pretty look when opening the cabinet.”
Utensil Extras
Unless you’re running a full-service restaurant out of your kitchen, you probably don’t need duplicates of everything.
“I recommend the minimalist approach with utensils,” Lake says. “Having four spatulas or six whisks may be excessive,” he adds, noting that one to two will be just fine. “This makes searching for items less complicated and frees up space for more items in the kitchen.”
Bid farewell to the utensils you don’t need by dropping them off at a donation center or passing them along to college-aged relatives, Lake suggests.
Past-Its-Prime Tupperware
If plasticware isn’t in good condition, toss it. “Throw out any Tupperware that is old, heat-damaged, cracked, or missing its lid,” instructs Jayna Lattimore, the founder of Ordered, LLC. “Then, invest in some quality sets that are durable.” She’s partial to glass food storage containers with lids that snap on top. “They’re long-lasting, and you don’t have to think twice about popping them in the microwave,” the professional organizer says.
Any Pills Past Their Sell-By Date
If you store your go-to vitamins, meds, and more in the kitchen, make sure you’re not holding on to any expired bottles. “It’s so easy for them to pile up over months and years, with many of them having expired without your knowledge,” Lattimore says.
Dented, Rusty, or Otherwise Damaged Cookware
You deserve pots and pans that are in top condition—anything that isn’t so great should go. “They’re not only wasting space, but they’re a pain to cook with and clean,” Lattimore says. “Toss out those with rusted, chipped bottoms or with nonstick surfaces that are no longer nonstick.”
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