Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.Already have an account? Login
The first step in getting organized isn’t a trip to the Container Store. (Don’t worry, that comes later!) It’s tossing all the things that are cluttering up your refrigerator, drawers and cabinets. Here are the things you can get rid of, stat.
Banana slicer, cherry pitter, strawberry huller, apple corer: A kitchen tool that only performs a single task can probably be replaced with, um, a knife.
2 of 10
Shutterstock
Nonstick Pots and Pans With Scratches or Chips
Newer nonstick cookware is more durable than earlier generations; but no matter how old your set is, once the nonstick coating starts flaking off, you’re eating it.
3 of 10
Shutterstock
Equipment You Don’t Use
You were sure you’d use a countertop popcorn-popper at least once a week — but you quickly realized that buying SkinnyPop in bulk was just easier. Put it in the Goodwill pile, along with the ice cream maker, waffle iron, bread machine and/or yogurt maker that haven’t recently seen the light of day.
4 of 10
Shutterstock
Almost-Empty Bottles of Booze
That triple sec that’s been gathering dust since you stopped drinking Cosmos? Pour the remainder down the drain. Same goes for the bottle of coconut rum with two shots left and the last dregs of jalapeño-infused vodka.
5 of 10
Shutterstock
Free Samples
Creole rice seasoning, dairy-free butter substitute, nut flour: If you took it just because a nice guy was handing it out at the supermarket and you haven’t used it yet, now is the time to get rid of it.
6 of 10
Shutterstock
Old Spices and Condiments
If you bought celery seeds, za’atar, or ginger syrup for a recipe you’ll never make again and you haven’t used them since, it’s time to say goodbye.
7 of 10
Shutterstock
Your Backup Dish Towels
What are you saving those bottom-of-the-drawer dish towels for, anyway? If you drop a seven-tier cake or party-size bowl of punch, threadbare “in case of emergency” dish towels will be about as useful for clean up as a slice of Swiss cheese.
8 of 10
Shutterstock
Multiples of Anything
If you finally found a travel mug you love, there’s no need to hang on to backups with leaky tops. You can also whittle down your assortment of reusable water bottles, corkscrews, bottle openers and measuring cups to just one of each.
9 of 10
Shutterstock
Your Entire Tupperware Collection
The strays that you swiped from your parents, the one-offs that friends have abandoned at your house, the mishmash of takeout containers: Relegate them all to the recycling bin and replace them with a full set with matching tops and lids. Choose square or rectangular, which are more space-efficient than round.
10 of 10
Shutterstock
Food You’ll Never Eat
You bought it in bulk after reading that a supermodel has it for breakfast every day — only to realize that it tastes like dog food. Or you stocked up on something when it was 6-for-1 at the grocery store, but still haven’t opened a can. If you won’t be eating it in the next 24 hours — and it’s not expired — see if a local shelter is accepting donations.
