16 Things to Get Rid of in One Hour

Throwing out stuff is hard for most of us because we can't be sure we won't need whatever-it-is again. But, we’re confident you won't miss these 16 things once you toss, donate, or otherwise dispose of them. It will only take 60 minutes, and you can even do it 15 minutes at a time if you want to. Let the purging begin.

15 Minutes in the Bathroom

Bathrooms contain a lot of things we no longer need or have never used. Declutter your drawers, shelves, and medicine cabinet by tossing these things:

Expired Medication

Find a DEA-approved drop-off location where you can turn them in instead of tossing them, which is discouraged. You can throw out most medicines, including most prescription medications, in your trash if there is no option near you to turn them in, but follow these guidelines to do it safely.

Old Makeup and Skincare Products

Did you know your makeup and skincare only hold up for so long in storage? Toss out any products you’ve had for longer than the recommended time:

• Liquid foundation: 6 months to a year

• Lipstick: 1 year

• Mascara: 3 months

• Sunscreen: 1 year

• Facial Moisturizer: 1 year

Old Toothbrushes

According to the American Dental Association, you should change your toothbrush every three to four months. 

Ratty and Scratchy Towels

No one wants to use a towel that feels like a piece of sandpaper or looks like it's been around since the last century. You can repurpose old towels for cleaning pets or use them as household rags. Then, buy some new ones and enjoy the softness.

The Main Electrical Outlet Types at a Glance

Here are the outlet types you find in most U.S. homes:

• 15-amp, 120-volt (2-prong and 3-prong): The standard household outlet for lamps, TVs, and chargers.

• 20-amp, 125-volt: A higher-power outlet for kitchens, laundry rooms, and workshops.

• 240-volt (20-amp to 50-amp): A large-appliance outlet for dryers, ranges, and EV chargers.

• GFCI: A shock-protection outlet for kitchens, baths, and other wet areas.

• AFCI: A fire-protection outlet for bedrooms and living spaces.

• Tamper-resistant: A child-safe outlet with internal shutters, now standard in new homes.

• Weather-resistant: A corrosion-resistant outlet built for outdoor use.

• Convenience types: Switched, combination, USB, smart, and rotating outlets.

15 Minutes in Your Closet and Dresser

Chances are it's time to let go of a lot of what’s taking up space in your closet. The easiest way is to grab a big trash bag and just do it. You won't miss any of it when it's gone.

Clothes That No Longer Fit

You're waiting to lose the last few pounds to get back into your old jeans, but even if you can get back into them someday, they may be so out of style you'll never wear them. Donate them and make room for some new, updated items to spruce up your wardrobe.

Dry Cleaning Bags

Don’t leave dry cleaning bags on your clothes when you put them away. Your clothes need to breathe. The only reason there are bags on them is to protect them from getting dirty between the store and your closet.

Underwear and Socks

Time for some tough love: The old, stretched-out underwear you're keeping for when you haven't done your laundry needs to go. Also, let’s all finally agree that those single socks are never going to be reunited with their mates and need to be thrown away. 

15 Minutes in Your Kitchen

What needs to be tossed from your kitchen? A lot. By tossing out a few key items, you can free up storage space, get your kitchen neatened up, and enhance your cooking.

Takeout Condiment Packets

If you have a bottle of ketchup in your refrigerator or soy sauce in your pantry, you don't need the little packets that come with your takeout or delivery orders. You think you'll use them someday, but you probably won't, and they're taking up valuable space in your kitchen. 

Expired Spices

It’s unfortunate but true: Some spices lose their potency very quickly. That entire jar of an unheard-of spice you bought for 1 Tbsp. in one recipe three years ago? It’s probably time for it to go. Toss anything that’s past the expiration date.  

Plastic Bags from the Grocery Store

Saving plastic bags from the grocery store is fine if you use them. But if you never do, you can return and recycle them at the grocery store, then get some reusable bags to use instead.

Unused Cookbooks

With so many recipe resources available online, cookbooks may be less important to many home chefs. If that's the case for you, save your favorites and donate the rest. 

15 Minutes in Your Home Office

There is probably no place in your home with more unused items and clutter than your home office. Decluttering will make it easier to focus on your work.

Old Prescription Eyeglasses

Unless you plan on replacing the lenses in your old prescription eyeglasses, donate them. You can find drop-off locations at most big box stores or ask your optometrist if they know of a place where you can give them to help others.

Newspapers and Magazines

If you want to save articles or images, cut them out of the newspapers and magazines you have stacked in your office and toss the rest. Or better yet, scan them to your computer or snap a photo on your smartphone.

Old Mail

Similar to pitching old magazines and newspapers, dated mail should also be tidied up. If you have a pile of greeting cards on your desk, you can snap a photo to save it without taking up space. And if you have old bills hanging around your home office, make sure they are paid, then discard them. If you have mail advertisements that you plan on using, put them somewhere you’ll see them, like on a tack board. Otherwise, ditch the junk mail to clean up your space.

Expired or Unused Credit Cards

Credit cards sitting around are not only clutter, but they could cause you major headaches if they end up in the wrong hands. If you have a shredder, shred them right away, and if you don't, you can cut them up into small pieces.

Unused Art and Hobby Supplies

If you took up painting or other crafting hobbies and then grew tired of them, here’s the permission you need to give away the supplies you bought. Schools, daycare facilities, and senior living communities will happily take your crafting items and put them to good use.