Minimalist List Of 68 Things To Get Rid Of

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Decluttering isn’t about tossing everything you own or living with nothing. It’s about removing the excess so what remains feels lighter, more intentional, and useful.

This list of 68 items is meant to gently guide you through your home, room by room, and help you question what still serves you. If something adds value, keep it. If not, release it responsibly, whether through donation, resale, recycling, or repurposing.

Sustainable minimalism it’s about creating space, reducing waste, and building a life with more clarity and less chaos.

Use this list as inspiration, not a checklist. Start where it feels easiest, go at your own pace, and remember: letting go is a skill that gets easier with practice. 🙂

In the end, you can find additional ideas on how (and where) to get rid of things sustainably and a couple of crucial tips.

Ok, now, let’s begin!

Kitchen stuff to get rid of

minimalist list of things to get rid of,items that can be reduced,unused things

Expired food – Go through your pantry and fridge for expired dry goods, sauces, or perishables. Compost what you can, rinse packaging for recycling, and dispose of food waste responsibly.
Food you’ll never eat – Have ingredients you bought on impulse but never used? If unopened and still good, donate to a local food bank or give to neighbors. For open items, consider creative recipes or composting.
Kitchen gadgets/appliances you never use – That bread maker or juicer you haven’t touched in two years? Time to pass it on. Donate or resell working appliances, and take broken ones to an electronics recycling center.
Excess mugs, plates, and glasses – Most of us only need a few. Keep what you use daily, and donate duplicates or chipped items you never reach for.
Unused cookbooks – If they’re collecting dust, gift them to a friend who enjoys cooking, or donate them to libraries or secondhand shops. You can digitize favorite recipes and clear the physical clutter.
Old or duplicate pots and pans – If something is scratched, rusted, or never used, it’s time to let it go. Recycle metal items at a scrap center or donate those in good shape.
Extra cutlery – How many forks do you really need? Keep enough for your household and occasional guests. Donate the rest to shelters or thrift stores.
Glass jars beyond your needs – They’re handy, but you probably don’t need 30. Keep a reasonable number for storage or crafts, and recycle the rest.
Old plastic containers – Warped lids, stained plastic, or mismatched sets should go. Upcycle for organizing drawers, or recycle them if your local facility accepts them.
Paper towels – A small but impactful switch – replace disposables with reusable cloths. Old T-shirts or towels can be cut into rags for zero-waste cleaning.

Things to get rid of in your living room

Extra throw pillows – If they no longer match your space or crowd your couch, keep a few cozy favorites and donate or repurpose the rest.
Appliance manuals – Most are available online now. Scan or bookmark digital versions and recycle the paper copies.
Unused furniture – A coffee table or side chair gathering dust could be a treasure for someone else. Sell locally or donate to a reuse center.
Souvenirs & decorative clutter – Keep only the ones that spark joy or carry deep meaning. Let go of the rest – they take up space and create visual noise.

Bathroom unused things to get rid of

Expired skincare – Old lotions and serums may irritate your skin. Use what’s still safe for non-sensitive purposes (like hand cream), then clean and recycle the containers.
Half-used products you’ll never finish – Transfer leftovers into travel-size containers for short trips, or donate gently used beauty items to shelters that accept them.
Makeup you never use – That lipstick shade you never liked? Let it go. Unopened products can be donated; used ones should be disposed of carefully.
Dried-out nail polish – If it can’t be revived with thinner, it’s time to toss it. Check your local guidelines for hazardous waste and recycle the glass bottle separately.
Stretched-out hair ties – They lose elasticity and pull your hair. Repurpose them as cord ties or toss them if unusable.
Commercial cleaning products – Switch to DIY cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. Finish up or safely dispose of toxic chemical products through hazardous waste programs.

Bedroom stuff to get rid of

Unused linens or towels – Extra sheets or threadbare towels can be donated to shelters or animal rescues. Keep a couple of spares – not a whole closet.
Flat or uncomfortable pillows – Worn-out pillows can lead to neck pain. Replace as needed, and recycle old ones via textile recycling or use for pet bedding.
Unused small furniture – If that bedside table has become a junk magnet, consider removing it. Freeing up space can make your room feel calmer and more functional.

Things to get rid of in your wardrobe

Single socks – Missing their match for months? Let it go. You can cut them into rags or use them as dusters.
Worn or torn underwear/bras – Comfort matters. Recycle textiles where available or check if any brands offer take-back programs.
Jeans or pants that don’t fit – Holding onto clothing that doesn’t fit can add unnecessary stress. Donate or sell items that no longer serve you.
Itchy or uncomfortable clothes – No matter how pretty it is – if you hate wearing it, it’s clutter. Pass it on to someone who will enjoy it.
Clothing not your style – We all evolve. Keep what reflects who you are now and let go of the rest.
Clothes unworn for 6+ months – If it hasn’t seen daylight in half a year (excluding seasonal pieces), it’s likely not serving you.
Never-worn purchases – Return if possible, or gift/donate. Avoid repeating the cycle by shopping more intentionally.
Worn-out shoes – Soles falling apart? No longer comfy? Donate wearable pairs and recycle damaged ones through programs like Nike Reuse-a-Shoe.
Hole-y tights – Some brands (like Swedish Stockings) accept these for recycling. Otherwise, repurpose or recycle as textiles.
Old hangers – Mismatched, broken, or unused hangers just crowd your closet. Donate usable ones or recycle plastic/metal types where possible.
Accessories you don’t wear – Keep a few go-to pieces and let the rest go. Unworn jewelry can be gifted, donated, or sold online.

Check out:

Things To Get Rid Of: Digital

Junk email – Clutter isn’t only physical. Unsubscribe from promotional emails you never read and delete regularly.
Email lists you no longer follow – Make your inbox a calmer space. Use apps like Unroll.Me to clean things up quickly.
Clean up your PC – Organize folders, delete duplicates, and back up important files. Digital clutter can be just as overwhelming as physical.
Unused apps – Free up space and mental bandwidth by removing apps you don’t use or that steal time and focus.

Personal stuff to get rid of

Expired credit or membership cards – They can pose identity risks. Shred them and dispose of the pieces securely.
Excess receipts – Unless they’re for warranty or tax purposes, shred and recycle. Opt for digital receipts when you can.
Old bills or statements – Go paperless and reduce clutter. Keep only the most important documents in a safe place.
Old keys – No idea what they open? Time to recycle. Some places collect them for scrap metal.
Old planners or calendars – Preserve meaningful notes or dates, then recycle the rest. A fresh planner often brings more clarity.
Art or craft supplies you don’t use – Be honest – if that knitting kit’s been sitting for three years, donate it to a local art program or school.
Items from old school/jobs – Old ID badges, uniforms, or textbooks? Recycle or donate what’s still useful, and clear the rest.
Unwanted gifts – You’re not obligated to keep gifts out of guilt. Regift, swap, or donate to someone who will truly enjoy them.
Jewelry you don’t wear – Some pieces can be sold or repurposed. Don’t let tangled necklaces take up space if they’re never worn.
Extra perfume bottles – Gift to friends, use them as air fresheners, or recycle once empty.

Other unused things to get rid of

Dead houseplants – Clear the pots and compost the soil. A healthy space includes only living greenery.
Non-working pens/markers – Recycle through specialty programs like Terracycle or check local stores with collection points.
Old electronics – Phones, remotes, headphones – if they’re broken or unused, recycle at an e-waste center or sell usable parts.
CDs & DVDs – Unless they hold something irreplaceable, digitize and donate or recycle.
Old books – Free up space by donating books you won’t re-read to libraries, Little Free Libraries, or schools.
Magazines – Clip articles you love, recycle the rest. Most are never touched again after reading once.
Expired medication – Never flush medicine. Take it to a pharmacy or hazardous waste drop-off.
Old glasses – Donate prescription glasses through programs like Lions Club to give sight to others.
Old takeout menus – Nearly all restaurants have updated menus online. Recycle paper copies.
Dead batteries – Store in a container until you can drop off at a battery recycling point – don’t toss in regular trash.
Candles you never use – If they’re scented and unopened, donate or regift. Otherwise, melt leftovers to make a new one.
Extra wires, cables, chargers – Test what works and keep just what you need. Recycle the rest at electronics drop-offs.
Old boxes – Unless you’re moving soon, flatten and recycle cardboard packaging.
Expired coupons – Recycle old ones, and consider using digital apps or extensions that keep clutter at bay.
Unused games/puzzles – Don’t let them collect dust. Donate to a school, senior center, or shelter.
Duplicate items – If you own multiple versions of the same thing, keep the best and release the rest.
Broken items beyond repair – If you’ve been “planning to fix it” for years, let it go. Recycle what you can and move on.
Old video games – Sell, swap, or donate. Libraries and youth centers often welcome them.
Free samples you won’t use -They add up quickly. Donate sealed items and decline future freebies.
Single-use items – Replace with reusables – water bottles, shopping bags, razors, etc. It’s a small shift with a big impact.

How to get rid of things sustainably

Decluttering doesn’t mean sending everything to the landfill. With a little effort, most items can find a new home, be recycled, or repurposed. Here are some ideas to help you part with things consciously and responsibly:

Donate thoughtfully

Give gently used items to local charities, shelters, churches, or nonprofit organizations.

Women’s shelters often accept unused makeup and personal care products.
Animal shelters can use old towels, blankets, and toys.
Charity shops accept clothing, books, home goods, and sometimes even furniture.

Check platforms like DonationTown.org for local donation pick-up services, or use Go Green Drop, Goodwill, Planet Aid, or Creative Reuse centers (all US-based).

Find more donation places in my article.

Sell or give away locally

Facebook Marketplace and local buy-nothing or swap groups are great for selling or gifting unwanted items.
Try Freecycle to list items for free — they often get picked up the same day.
For clothing, you can explore my curated list of 23 places to sell second-hand clothes or simply donate what you no longer wear.

Specialty programs & companies

Some items need more targeted solutions:

Terracycle: Buy a “Zero Waste” box or join free brand-sponsored recycling programs (beauty waste, snack wrappers, etc.).
Green Disk: Great for recycling electronics and tech waste.
Nordstrom: Accepts empty beauty product packaging at stores.
GlamBot and Beauty Bus: Purchase unused, non-expired beauty items.
Family to Family & Project Beauty Share: Donate unopened or lightly used beauty/personal care items to those in need.
Furniture Banks: Donate furniture to families in crisis – check their site for locations.
Junk Removal Services: Try eco-friendly options like EarthWise Hauling if you need larger items removed responsibly.

Medications & E-Waste

Expired medications: Many pharmacies offer drop-off bins for safe disposal, just ask.
Electronics: Look for local e-waste recycling days or check with your city’s waste department.

Return to the source

Many sustainable companies now offer take-back programs for used or worn items. Search the brand’s website to see if they’ll accept returns for recycling or reuse.

Final tips for letting go

Use a “maybe” box

Not sure about certain items? Place them in a box out of sight for 1–2 months. If you don’t reach for them, it’s safe to let them go.

Ask yourself:

Do I actually use this?
Do I truly like it?
Could someone else benefit from it more?
If the answer is “no,” it might be time to release it.

Focus on what you’re keeping

Instead of stressing about what to discard, focus on what deserves space in your life. Keep what’s useful, meaningful, or joyful.

Start small, stay consistent

Begin with one room, shelf, or category. Give yourself realistic deadlines, a few days per area, so it feels manageable, not overwhelming.

Final reminder

Minimalism isn’t about deprivation. If something brings you joy or holds deep meaning, there’s no shame in keeping it. Your journey is personal, and progress, no matter how slow, is still progress. Decluttering mindfully not only clears your space but also your mind. 🌿