- Cath Moore
Cull That Clutter - 120 Quick Wins!

Don't know where to start with your war on clutter? Here are 120 things you can let go of without too much soul searching:
Kitchen:
Expired foods
Food you don’t enjoy - give to friend/food bank
Drinks you wont drink - e.g. Herbal tea/tea varieties/alcohol you don’t enjoy
Kitchen appliances/gadgets/utensils you don’t use
Plastic containers without lids & vice versa
Excess storage containers - be realistic about how many you really need
Fridge magnets - keep you fridge clutter free!
Cookbooks that don’t suit your lifestyle or don’t inspire you
Mugs/glasses wrong size or shape
Knives you hate using
Chipped or cracked crockery/glasses
Excess serving dishes - keep max number you would ever cater for in one go
Excess mugs/glasses - (remember you can hire glasses for free for parties)
Baking trays, saucepans & frying pans you don’t like using - too heavy/sticks etc
Cleaning products you don’t use or don’t like using. Stick to multipurpose cleaner.
Empty jars (only keep if you make preserves at least once a year)
Bathroom/Toiletries/Makeup:
Disliked/expired/sample size makeup, face, body and hair products
Makeup brushes you don’t use
Old hairbrushes
Hair styling equipment you no longer use
Unused perfume/aftershave
Expired meds/vitamin supplements
Excess bath toys - just keep a small bag or basket of them
Clothing, Accessories & Jewellery:
Anything with holes, faults or tears which you have not repaired/will not repair
Lone socks
Lone gloves
Formal dress unless it still fits and you know you will wear again
Event specific clothing - dressing-up/sports clothes for sports you don’t do
Any clothes you don’t feel good in
Old/poorly fitting/unsupportive/uncomfortable underwear/bras
Shoes that hurt
Shoes that you aren’t going to polish/repair/reheel
Old hair ties
Odd earrings
Disliked/poorly fitting accessories - hats/scarfs/belts/sunglasses/glasses
Jewellery that is not your taste
Broken jewellery you will not bother to fix
Excess coat hangers
Old/unflattering swimwear
Disliked handbags/purses/wallets
Broken/duplicate luggage
Lifestyle:
Books you will never read/never read again
Dictionaries or encyclopaedias which you can find online
Old school books/textbooks
DVDs you will never watch again
CDs you don’t enjoy anymore
VHS and Cassettes if you don’t have anything to play them on
Old phones & old phone chargers - check out MusicMagpie for a quick sale.
Old computers/laptops (wipe hard drive first)
Boxes from electronics and appliances
Old/obsolete computer game consoles/games
Mysterious electrical cords you haven’t used for over a year.
Craft projects you have had for years but not started or won’t complete
Items for hobbies you haven’t pursued for over a year
Unused/broken sports equipment
Old/expired batteries
Board games you don’t enjoy
Excess packs of cards
Paperwork:
Catalogues - don’t be tempted to buy more stuff!
Phone books/Local trade directories
Takeaway menus
Old magazines/newspapers - if you need a specific article then tear it out and file.
Out of date vouchers
Old calendars and diaries - transfer any useful information and get rid of
Old birthday/occasion cards - if sentimental store in memory box or take a photo
Warranties expired or no longer needed
Bad photos or photos where you don’t recognise the people or location
Used notebooks half filled
Old instruction manuals - note the make & model number and find online.
Business cards of people you will never contact
Old course notes
Travel brochures
Used travel tickets
Linens:
Old duvet covers and sheets with rips or holes or you just don’t like/don’t fit
Excess towels - keep 2 sets for family members and 1 set for guests.
Excess/unused blankets
Placemats/napkins/table clothes you no longer like or have duplicates of
Tea towels & dishcloths you don’t use
Living room:
Excess cushions & throws
Pictures/posters and objects you don’t like
Excess furniture which crowds the room
Excess lamps
Old dusty candles/tea lights
Scented candles you don’t like smell of
Sick/dead plants
Unused vases
Kids bedroom:
Baby items (once family complete)
Duplicate toys - e.g. 5 footballs - keep 2 at most and lose the rest
Toys your kids have outgrown
Toys which are broken or have missing parts
Toys not played with
Clothes that no longer fit, are torn or stained, or child refuses to wear
Shoes that are too small or damaged
Old cuddly toys
Arm bands and float aids once child can swim
Garage/Shed/Utility/Garden:
Decorating/DIY supplies that don’t fit your current house
Garden/DIY tools you have duplicates of/never use
Camping equipment you no longer use
Bikes/scooters which are outgrown/broken/unused
Expired paint/varnish/grout/adhesive etc
Spare tiles you will never use
Duplicate ladders
Broken/excess plant pots
Broken/unused play equipment - Swings/Trampolines/Goals etc.
Rotten/cracked/rusted tables & chairs/loungers
Dead plants & shrubs
Unused/broken water butts/compost bins
Rusted BBQs
Unused BBQ Tools
Mouldy outdoor cushions/beanbags/hammock
Car cleaning paraphernalia never used
Miscellaneous:
Gifts you don’t want- regift them or donate to charity
Dried out pens
Excess stationery: post it notes/pads/folders
Duplicate pen/pencil/paint sets - give excess to school/charity/art projects
Excess carrier bags - keep 10 at most and recycle the rest
Old store cards/credit cards - destroy the chip and throw away
Excess/usused pet bowls/beds/balls/brushes/toys/treats etc.
Broken/excess Christmas/Easter/Halloween decorations
Anything that makes you feel guilty or sad when you see it
A few key things to keep in mind:
1. Don't keep things solely because they were expensive - you have spent the money, keeping an item you don't like or use doesn't preserve it's value, it just reminds you that it was a mistake to buy it. Let it go and move on!
2. Be realistic about numbers when trying to identify excess. Think about how many of X can you really make use of and how many fit in the space comfortably. For example, it is better to have 10 mugs you love which are easy to access than 25 crammed in a cupboard with some of your favourites pushed to the back.
3. Be realistic about fixing things and/or selling things. Do you really have the time or inclination to do this? If not, don't beat yourself up, let them go (help a charity if possible) and move on.
Good luck and happy decluttering! If you'd prefer some hands-on help with decision making or organisation then do get in touch, I'd love to help you Rule Your Roost!