10 Common Household Items to Declutter Now (and Where to Take Them!)

July 16, 2024

Here are a list of 10 common household items you can declutter now and where to take them.

1. Dry cleaning bags and wire hangers

Did you know plastic dry cleaning bags can do more harm than good? The purpose of the plastic bags that dry cleaners use is to protect the garment in transit. Once in your home, plastic bags can actually trap humidity and cause mildew or fabric yellowing. Wire hangers are also not ideal when it comes to maintaining garment shapes.

Where to discard: To discard them in the City of Calgary, you can bundle plastic bags (if they are stretchy) and place in the recycling bin. As for wire hangers, your best bet is to take them back to the dry cleaners so they can reuse it when you drop off your dry cleaning next time.

2. Shoes that are not comfortable

I have a personal rule that if I can walk in my shoes for at least an hour comfortably, then I will not keep it no matter how much I love them. Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes or shoes that causes blisters.

Where to discard: if they are still in good condition, you can donate them at your local charities. For textile recycling, you can use this directory to find a location near you.

3. Old socks and underwear

In my 8 years so far helping people get organized, I see a lot of old socks and underwear taking up a lot of prime storage space in closets. It’s time to let them go and make room for the ones you actually love and use! Just like uncomfortable shoes, it’s also time to declutter uncomfortable socks and underwear.

Where to discard: If they are new, you can donate them to your local charities or shelters. Otherwise they can go to textile recycling.

4. Old bedding and towels

It’s time to be honest - you are not going to use those old beddings and towels. There is a reason why you bought new ones and if you won’t use it yourself, don’t give it to your guests either.

Where to discard: If they are in good condition, you can donate them to your local charities. Otherwise they can go to textile recycling.

5. Leftover paints

Everyone has a little corner in their garage or storage room for leftover paints - it’s time to declutter it! If you are keeping some for touchups, I recommend using a smaller container (I like Glad Twist and Lock Containers) to store a small amount and discard the large cans. I keep a stock of touchup paint in my linen closet for easy access. They hardly take up any space as the containers are stackable and I have used them years later without issues.

Where to discard: To discard them in the City of Calgary, you can safely dispose paint and paint cans at a household hazardous waste drop-off location for free.

6. Worn out plastic food containers

Everyone has mismatched food containers and no, it doesn’t spark joy for anyone! If you notice signs of discolouration in a container, it means the material is starting to break down and is more likely to leach chemicals or microplastics.

Where to discard: To discard them in the City of Calgary, you can recycle plastic food storage containers marked with recycling symbol 1-7.

7. Expired make up

Makeup has a shorter shelf life than people think and using expired products can result in dangerous skin and eye irritations or increase your exposure to bacterias. Check out this guide to makeup expiration dates and guidelines.

Where to discard: Expired makeup will typically go in your garbage. To discard them in Canada, there are also many retailers such as Holt Renfrew, London Drugs, Saks Fifth Avenue, The Bay, Winners, Sephora, L’Occitane and more that has a makeup recycling program through Pact.

8. Expired medication

The last thing you want when taking medication is for it to be expired. Expired medication can be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength.

Where to discard: To safely iscard them in Alberta, you can return medications to your pharmacist for environmentally safe disposal.

9. Old electronics and charging cables

I see these items in every household simply because people don’t know what to do with them. If you are not using them, it’s time to let them go with gratitude and reclaim those drawer spaces.

Where to discard: To safely iscard them in Calgary, you can drop them off at the city of Calgary Eco Centre for free recycling.

10. Expired pantry food

There is a difference between “Best before date” and “Expiration date.” I typically will respect how far people want to push it but the truth is, you haven’t eaten it by now, you probably won’t.

Where to discard: If the item is not expired, you can donate them to the Calgary Food Bank or a community fridge. For expired food items, you can compost it and recycle the package.

Not sure where to donate/recycle something? Visit my resource guide for more info.