Whether you're a minimalist or enjoy a bit of organized chaos, it’s clear that items minimalists discard can often be unnecessary. From forgotten receipts to expired pantry goods, these things not only take up space but can also clutter your mind. A clear and tidy home can feel rejuvenating.
As spring approaches, it’s a great opportunity to implement new decluttering strategies and develop lasting habits for a fresh, inviting home. We’ve compiled insights from organization experts on everyday items minimalists let go of to help you reclaim your space this season.
Items You Shouldn't Keep for More Than a Day
1. Recycle Packaging Boxes Right Away
With online shopping on the rise, don’t let delivery packaging pile up. Recycle what you can and dispose of the rest.
Spring is the ideal time to clear out those boxes you've kept for years. When was the last time you used one?
Lauren Hammer, founder of a home organizing service, notes, 'Many hold onto boxes for potential returns or moves, but 95% never get reused.'
For electronics or uncertain items, take photos of important details before recycling the boxes. This keeps your home tidy while being eco-friendly. If those photos aren’t needed after a few months, delete them to clear both digital and physical space.
If you have cats that enjoy lounging in Amazon boxes, that’s fine—just recycle when they’re done with them.
2. Toss Expired Food Immediately
Expired food in your pantry or fridge wastes space and can be risky for your health.
Conducting an expiration sweep should be a priority on your kitchen decluttering checklist this spring to reduce clutter and refresh your pantry.
Aprille Loney, owner of a home organization business, emphasizes the need to regularly check pantry contents. 'Items can easily be forgotten at the back. Make it a habit to know what’s in your pantry and discard items as you find them.'
Consider using tiered Lazy Susan organizers available on Amazon to keep items visible and easily accessible, preventing clutter in your pantry.
3. Discard Temporary Items Daily
Temporary items should not linger in your home.
As routines reset with the new season, daily tidying and discarding unnecessary items can keep your home feeling light.
Joseph Passalacqua, CEO of a cleaning service, states that daily decluttering should start with eliminating temporary items that tend to accumulate.
Common culprits include single-use packaging, takeout containers, and scraps of paper like grocery lists. 'These can create clutter and make cleaning difficult,' he explains.
Receipts also belong in this category. Aprille Loney advises, 'If you can't return an item or have an app to keep your receipt, toss it.'
To simplify this habit, consider setting up systems that encourage daily discarding. A stylish mail organizer from Wayfair can help manage loose papers, while a compact hanging trash can from Amazon makes disposal easy.
Small, consistent habits can prevent clutter from accumulating over time. For example, a client saved empty spice jars until they overtook two cabinets. We introduced a daily discard bin under the sink, leading her to recycle jars weekly.
Unless you plan to reuse jars, it's best to recycle them right after use. Create a
