We all have things around the house that we keep telling ourselves we’ll use someday. Maybe it’s an old phone we’re saving as a backup, clothes we’re hoping to fit into again, or a kitchen appliance we swear we’ll get around to fixing.
The problem is that someday rarely comes. Months turn into years, and those things end up taking up space in closets, drawers, and cabinets. Yet we keep holding onto them because that little thought lingers in the back of our minds: we might need them one day.
If this sounds familiar, here are 12 things you may be holding onto for a future use that never seems to come.
Old Cell Phones
Keeping one old phone as a backup can be useful, but there’s little reason to have several outdated devices sitting in a drawer. Older models may no longer support your current apps or carrier, and their batteries can deteriorate over time, so take unused phones to an electronics recycling program or retailer that accepts them.
Damaged Appliances
That broken toaster, coffee maker, or blender may have been sitting in a cabinet for months because you keep telling yourself you’ll get around to fixing it. If you’ve already replaced it and haven’t tried to repair it, it’s probably time to let it go; you can donate or sell working appliances, and recycle or dispose of broken ones according to local rules.
Old Power Cords
A box full of tangled cables can take up an entire drawer, especially if you’ve kept cords from devices you no longer own. Keep the ones you can identify and still use, then take the rest to an electronics recycling drop-off if one is available in your area.
Memorabilia
Old greeting cards, ticket stubs, travel receipts, event programs, and souvenirs can bring back wonderful memories, so getting rid of them isn’t always easy. Choose the pieces that mean the most to you, scan paper keepsakes you want to save, and let go of the rest rather than keeping every little reminder.
Expired Medicine
Medicine cabinets can hide old prescriptions, pain relievers, vitamins, and other products that have been sitting there for years. Check expiration dates and use a pharmacy take-back program or local medication disposal service whenever possible, rather than flushing or throwing medicines away without checking the disposal instructions.
Damaged Clothing
A shirt with a small loose button is worth repairing, but clothes with permanent stains, large tears, or lingering odors may no longer be worth keeping. If you’ve been putting off a repair for months, decide whether you’ll actually fix the item or let it go, and check whether damaged textiles can be recycled locally.
Related: 13 Things Around Your Home That Rubbing Alcohol Can Clean
Clothes That No Longer Fit
Many people hold on to clothes that no longer fit because they hope to wear them again someday or feel guilty about how much they spent. Keep pieces with real sentimental value, but consider selling or donating the rest so your closet has room for clothes you actually wear.
Free Stuff
Promotional T-shirts, tote bags, mugs, pens, water bottles, and other giveaways can quickly turn into clutter simply because they were free. Before bringing another giveaway home, ask yourself whether you’d actually buy it, and pass it along if not.
Expired Skincare Products
Old creams, lotions, serums, and makeup products don’t last forever, and their smell, color, or texture may change as they age. Check the expiration information or the recommended period after opening, and throw away products that are past their usable period or show signs of spoilage.
An Unused Gym Membership
A gym membership you rarely use can quietly drain your budget month after month. Check the cancellation terms and consider putting that money toward home workouts, outdoor activities, another fitness option, or something you actually use.
Hotel Samples
Those little hotel bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and skincare products are easy to collect because they’re free and take up very little room. Keep a few for trips if you use them, give away unopened products when appropriate, and clear out the rest instead of letting them fill a bathroom drawer.
Empty Boxes
Saving a few sturdy boxes makes sense if you regularly ship packages, sell things online, or have an upcoming move. But if you’re keeping every delivery box just in case, break down the ones you no longer need and recycle them according to local guidelines.
Getting rid of these things doesn’t mean your home has to be completely empty or that you need to part with everything you enjoy. It’s about making room for the belongings you actually use, the keepsakes you care about, and the things that make your home feel like yours.
