Items You’re Probably Holding Onto Longer Than You Should

Hoarding begins with the best intentions. There are sentimental reasons, and of course, the far-fetched idea that maybe one day you’ll utilize something you’ve never taken out of the box. The key to maintaining an organized home is knowing when to hold on to something and when to let it go. Below is a list of everyday items that people tend to hold onto longer than they should.

Some household items people tend to keep longer than they should include dish sponges, mop heads, canned foods, spices, and tea. Other items people commonly keep for too long include sports or gym equipment, clothing that no longer fits, old undergarments, and children's items. Don’t hoard take-out containers, shopping bags, and chargers, and get rid of electronics and kitchen gadgets you no longer use.

It is hard to get rid of some items, especially if they hold a special place in your heart. But if you never use an item, then it’s time you say goodbye to it. As well, there are items you must dispose of for health and sanitation reasons. Keep reading to learn more about items you’re probably holding onto longer than you should.

13 Items In The Home You’re Probably Keeping For Too Long

1. Dish Sponges

Just about every kitchen has a dish sponge. Even if you have a dishwasher, there are several items you must hand-wash. Regardless of whether you wash all your dishes by hand or only a select few, there’s a strong possibility you aren’t replacing sponges frequently enough.  You should replace a dish sponge every one to two weeks. If you rarely use a sponge, then two weeks is fine. If, however, you hand-wash all your dishes, then you should replace the sponge weekly. To reduce waste and costs, consider cutting a sponge in half, as this gives you twice the use from one sponge.

2. Clothes That Don’t Fit

If you’ve been holding onto jeans, a dress, or a suit for many years in the hopes that it will one day fit again, but you still can’t squeeze into it, it’s time to say goodbye. Bodies change over time, and the reality is that many of us won’t have the same body as we age. Tailored and form-fitting clothes are great when they fit, but once they don’t, they have no use. It can be hard to get rid of these clothes, especially if they were expensive or you wore them for a special occasion. Consider bringing them to a consignment shop or a high-end vintage boutique to get cash or a store credit to buy clothes that fit.

3. Spices

If you love to cook all sorts of exotic foods, you probably have an extensive spice collection. While it’s great to have a wide array of flavors to choose from, spices won’t last forever. On average, dried spices last for one to three years. After this point, they lose flavor and can even turn rancid. If you can’t remember the last time you bought spices, it's likely time to swap out what you have for new ones.

4. Mop Heads

Swiffers and other modern mops make cleaning floors easier, but nothing beats a classic mop when you need to remove thick layers of stubborn filth. But unlike a modern mop where you throw out the mop head after every use, classic mop heads are reused. Just be careful you don’t reuse it for too long. A mop head should be replaced every 1 to 3 months, depending on how frequently you use it and how well it maintained. Never keep a mop head longer than this. If the mop head starts to smell like dirty mop water, replace it immediately.

5. Plastic Take-Out Containers

If you order a lot of takeout, then you might find yourself keeping the containers. Sometimes restaurants give out nice, reusable plastic containers for food, and it makes sense to reuse them. This does not mean, however, that you should collect these items for months, let alone years. If you are running out of space in your cabinets because you have too many of these containers, get rid of most of them. It’s fine to keep a few of these plastic containers for occasions when you need disposable containers, but don’t overdo it.

6. Old Tea

Tea is another pantry item some people like to collect. It’s also a product some people don’t know expires. While there are many ways to help keep your tea fresh for longer, it will eventually lose its flavour. Some tea goes bad after six months, and most tea becomes stale after a year. If you are still storing tea that’s more than two years old, then it’s time to get rid of it. Avoid buying tea in bulk if you don’t drink it often.

7. Underwear And Socks

Many people wear undergarments long after they should be thrown away. Perhaps it’s because others don’t see these items, but for some reason, many people keep socks and underwear that should have been thrown away. If your socks or underwear have holes or are losing their elasticity, or if they are stained and you can’t get the stain out, get rid of them and buy new ones.

8. Kids’ Clothes And Toys

It can be very hard for parents to say goodbye to items their children have outgrown, but it must be done. Once your child can no longer fit their clothes, it is time to sell, donate, or give them away to another parent who can use them.  The same goes for toys your child no longer uses. While there is nothing wrong with saving a few precious mementos, there is no reason to keep entire wardrobes and toy chests.

9. Shopping Bags

It can be very tempting to save shopping bags, especially as fewer and fewer stores give bags for free. Still, it’s easy to collect too many bags, keeping them at home for months or years. If you reuse shopping bags, ensure that as many leave the home as enter. Allow yourself a small tote or drawer for these bags, and once it is filled, cycle out the old bags to make room for new ones.

10. Sports And Gym Equipment

Sports and gym routines are great ways to stay healthy, but it's often a hobby people start and eventually stop. If you have yoga mats, cycling gear, and weight belts collecting dust because you no longer partake in these activities, then it’s time to get rid of some gear. You might keep telling yourself you will start back up again one day, but if you keep telling yourself that and never do, consider donating these items. You can always buy equipment in the future.

11. Chargers And Wires

Many people hold on to chargers, cables, and wires, even if they aren’t sure what devices they belong to. This is a habit you should avoid. Only keep charges to devices you still own, and confirm all charges work properly. If you can’t identify the purpose of a cables or wire, or have duplicates, get rid of what you don’t need or use.

12. Outdated Electronics

If you paid a lot of money for a phone, computer, television, or other electronic device many years ago, it can be hard to say goodbye to it. This is particularly true once you realize an item you paid thousands of dollars for has practically no resale value. Instead of holding onto old electronics, donate anything you are no longer using. Instead of letting televisions and old computers collect dust, donate them to a charity that can find a home in need of this technology.

13. Expired Canned Goods

Canned goods can last for years, but they don’t last forever. Unless you keep your pantry very organized, there is a strong possibility you have expired canned goods you need to get rid of. You should clean your pantry regularly and check expiration dates of all your canned goods to ensure you aren’t holding on to items that aren’t safe to consume.

Summing Up Items You Might Be Holding Onto For Too Long

If you want to get rid of clutter, achieve a minimalist aesthetic, or simply avoid hoarding, then there are several items you should stop holding on to for longer than necessary. Kitchen items you are likely to keep for longer than you should include tea, spices, and canned goods. You should donate old electronics, chargers, wires, and gym equipment if they are collecting dust. Consider selling your kids’ old clothes and toys, as well as garments that haven’t fit you properly for years.

Related Guides:

• How To Organize A Corner Pantry (6 Ways To Do It!)
• Yearly Decluttering Checklist
• How To Bring A Minimalist Aesthetic To Your Home In The New Year