So I recently started the dreadful task of cleaning up my room because (and I’ll be the first to admit this) my room is a breeding ground for junk, clutter, and unnecessary items. Well, I finally got sick of it, so I decided to start cleaning things up. As I was tossing things out and finally seeing the pretty surface of my desk once again, I started thinking about all the crap I’ve been keeping that I should’ve tossed a hella long time ago. And thus, this blog post was born!
I’ll definitely admit that I sometimes have a certain paranoia about throwing some items out: what if this receipt from two years ago is actually really important?? What if the second I throw out my old pair of converse I’ll realize that I need them?? What if this random object that I’ve never had a use for and don’t know what it is suddenly has a use?? So if you’re a pack rat (like me) or you’re just terrible at judging between junk and, well, not junk, here’s a little guide that will make your next clean-up SO much easier!
1. Old receipts, to-do lists, etc.
Good news: if you’ve had no use for the receipt you received after shopping at H&M two years ago, you definitely won’t have a use for it now. Go ahead and toss it in the garbage along with any other old papers you forgot were there. Sheets of paper strewn all about only adds to your clutter.
2. Old or expired makeup or skincare products.
Don’t mess with lotions, lipsticks, foundations, moisturizers, or any other product that goes on your skin if it’s been sitting there for a long time. Chances are it’s probably not good anymore, so don’t keep it for later use and risk getting a rash or worse.
3. Worn out hair elastics.
You know that point where your hair elastic has seen so many ponytails and so many twists and turns and there’s basically no life left in it? Throw it out at that point. I’ve used worn hair ties before and it’s actually pretty annoying because at some point the coating breaks and the elastic material gets in your hair and makes it all sticky. Let’s not.
4. Dried up nail polish.
This very clearly serves no purpose to you anymore since you can’t paint your nails with dried up nail polish. I like to reevaluate my nail polish collection maybe twice per year to see what’s still good and what’s become a sticky, globby mess for the garbage can.
5. Expired coupons or deals.
I was so annoyed to see how many coupons from last year I had scattered on my desk. I didn’t pay attention to them when they were still good, so I’m definitely not going to pay attention to them now. Needless to say, you shouldn’t feel bad at all when tossing these things.
6. Anything broken.
This is a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how much broken stuff I found when I was cleaning up! Like everything else on this list, broken items just take up space. Sometimes broken things can be fixed so here’s my rule of thumb for that: if it can be fixed but I still won’t use it and I can’t give it to someone who will, then it goes in the trash. #sorrynotsorry.
7. Excess cups or containers.
Small organizers are great for, well, organizing, but sometimes there are ways to put all your belongings in one big container rather than having multiple all over the place. I wouldn’t throw out those extras unless they were really beaten up or couldn’t be used somewhere else.
8. Empties!
I am SO guilty of leaving empty bottles of hair product and makeup all over the place! Do yourself a favor and (finally) discard the empty perfume bottles and hairspray cans.
9. Products you can no longer use.
If you’re constantly switching up the products you use on a day-to-day basis, then you need to let go of the ones you’ve found substitutes for. Likewise, old prescriptions need to go.
10. Really old snacks.
It sounds gross but let’s be honest here; you’ve probably forgotten a granola bar under textbooks and God knows what else at least one time. If it’s been months and the snack in question is now smushed beyond belief, smells weird, and/or looks like it’s no longer food, do yourself a favor and throw it out.
11. Pens that have run out of ink.
Pens without any ink are a definite no-go. Let’s be real — you probably aren’t going to try to buy ink refills anyway. Also toss any empty lead pencils if you know that you aren’t going to buy lead refills.
12. Filled up notebooks that have no sentimental value.
Of course, you wouldn’t toss a journal full of your thoughts and ideas now would you? If you still have your ninth grade history notebook sitting on your desk, it’s probably time you got rid of it.
13. Those extra buttons that come with some clothing.
The buttons are there in case you need to sew them in as a replacement, but (at least in my experience) that has never happened, so I usually just end up throwing those buttons away.
14. Product boxes and old packaging.
I am SO guilty of keeping my old iphone box, laptop boxes, and all these other packaging materials that I don’t need. You’re probably not returning anything, so the boxes only take up space.
15. Old, juiceless batteries.
I find these everywhere! Then sometimes I even end up trying to use batteries that are no good because I think they’re good, BECAUSE THEY WERE SITTING ON MY DESK INSTEAD OF INSIDE A TRASH CAN.
16. Empty tape rolls.
That feeling when you try to grab a piece of tape from the roll, but then you realize that it’s actually empty…the pain. Is there a disappointment greater than this?
Hopefully I’ve alleviated some of your clean-up worries! I definitely feel that keeping these in mind will at least give you a basis to go off of when trying to figure out whether or not you should toss an item once and for all.
What are your tips for cleaning up your space?
