Bruno Pugh
We all have that one drawer, closet, or corner where things seem to multiply with each passing day. You might not think of yourself as a hoarder, but chances are you’re hanging onto more stuff than you realize. Here’s a list of 15 surprising things you might be collecting without noticing. Get ready to laugh and feel a little called out as we explore these common clutter culprits
Plastic Bags
You swear you’ll use them someday, right? Those flimsy grocery bags pile up faster than you can say “paper or plastic.” They hide in cupboards and stuff drawers and even have their own unique holder. But let’s be real; how many do you actually reuse? It’s time to cut down and recycle the excess.
Takeout Menus
Remember when we used to collect these like trading cards? Even with online ordering, you’ve likely got a stack somewhere. They’re outdated, but you can’t bring yourself to toss them. What if you need that pizza place’s number at 2 AM? Spoiler alert: your phone’s got you covered.
Half-Empty Shampoo Bottles
Your shower’s starting to look like a mini drugstore. All because you keep buying new products before finishing the old ones. Those almost empty bottles hang around, only to take up space. It’s time to use them up or let them go. Your bathroom will thank you.
Charging Cables
You’ve got a tangle of cords for devices you no longer own. They breed in drawers, appearing out of nowhere. You keep them “just in case,” but when was the last time you needed that weird connector from 2007? It’s okay to cut the cord, literally.
Old Magazines
These are collecting dust in your library simply because you told yourself you’d read them cover to cover. They’re piling up on coffee tables, shelves, and forgotten corners. You tell yourself they’re for “inspiration,” but let’s be honest; when’s the last time you actually flipped through one?
Unused Gift Cards
They’re like money, but not quite. You’ve got a stack from birthdays, holidays, and random giveaways. Some are for places you never shop. Others are so old you’re not sure if they still work. It’s time to use them or lose them.
Clothes You’ll “Fit Into Someday”
That pair of jeans from college is still hanging in your closet. Keeping them as motivation is what you’re doing, isn’t it? But they’re just taking up space and maybe making you feel guilty. Embrace the body you have now and let go of that clothing as soon as you can.
Empty Tissue Boxes
For some reason, empty boxes stick around way longer than they should. They sit around the house, serving no purpose. You keep meaning to replace them, but somehow, they become invisible. Time to make space for boxes that actually have tissues.
Expired Medications
Your medicine cabinet is probably a time capsule of past illnesses. Those old prescriptions and over-the-counter meds aren’t doing you any favors. They lose effectiveness and can even be dangerous. Now is the time for a pharmacy purge, but remember to dispose of them properly.
Mismatched Tupperware
It’s the kitchen equivalent of missing socks. Somehow, you’ve got more lids than containers, or vice versa. You hope they will all be reunited one day. But we all know that the missing piece isn’t coming back. It’s time to match up or move on.
Dead Pens
They’re in every drawer, bag, and cup on your desk. You grab one to write, and nothing happens. But you put it back, thinking it might magically work next time. Here is a quick FYI: it won’t. Do yourself a favor and test them all. Keep the winners, and toss the duds.
Old Tech
That drawer full of old phones, cameras, and MP3 players isn’t a tech museum. You’re keeping them for the memories or because you’re not sure how to get rid of them, but they’re just gathering dust. It’s time to recycle or donate these relics.
Spare Buttons
You know, the cute little buttons that come with new clothes, and you dutifully save them. But when was the last time you actually used one? They’re tiny, but they add up. Unless you’re a seamstress, it’s okay to let these little guys go.
Hotel Toiletries
Those tiny shampoos and soaps seem too good to waste. So you bring them home, where they sit in a bathroom drawer for years. Maybe you think you’ll use them for travel, but then you always need to remember. It’s time to use them or lose them.
Old Receipts
They’re in your wallet, at the bottom of your bag, or stuffed in random drawers. Despite keeping them “just in case,” you don’t revisit them. Most can go unless it’s for a big purchase or taxes. Your wallet (and sanity) will be happy you let go of them.