6 Things You Probably Don’t Need in Your Kitchen After 60
My parents are both over 60, and over the years, they’ve accumulated many items that are ready for retirement — especially in the kitchen. As empty nesters, they eat out more and many of their kitchen gadgets haven’t been used in years. For this list, I consulted them to figure out what they would actually feel good about getting rid of.
Consider this to be some (nonjudgmental) permission to declutter items you haven’t used in decades so you can make space for what suits your current lifestyle. Here are six things everyone can consider letting go of to make room for joy, not junk, in their kitchen.
1. Trendy, Single-Use Gadgets
You know those impulse buys and one-trick ponies that clutter drawers and counters? I’m talking avocado slicers, strawberry hullers, single-purpose herb choppers, mini popcorn makers, and novelty egg shapers. They take up valuable drawer space for people of every age, and perform tasks that a good, sharp chef’s knife or a simple peeler can handle just as easily (and more efficiently). If you’re simplifying your space, you’ll appreciate having fewer items to hunt for and clean.
2. Stained Kitchen Linens
If you wouldn’t serve food off of your stained kitchen linens or have your stinky dish towels hanging while guests are over, you can get a little extra life out of them by using them to clean around the house. But if they’re fraying, they’re definitely past their prime.
3. Mismatched Food Storage Containers
Old food storage containers are arguably the most common cabinet clutter culprit. While you can repurpose the lid as a spoon rest or a container to corral jar lids or spice packets — if they’ve served their purpose, feel free to donate them.
4. Untouched Multi-Cookers
If it’s been sitting on your shelves for decades, it’s time to consider donating it. If you haven’t used it in years, you probably won’t in the near future. Unless you are consistently using them for elaborate meals, a simple air fryer, countertop oven, or slow cooker can be a more space-saving alternative for everyday cooking.
5. “Aspirational” Entertaining Sets
If you never bring out your best entertaining wares when you’re hosting, consider giving them away to a family member, or donate them. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you’re serving on, or whether or not it’s handwash-only .
6. Dust-Covered Cookbooks
How often are you actually cooking from your cookbooks? If you have a shelf of them that’s just collecting dust, it may be time to donate. Hold onto the books you actually cook from (or like to flip through!), and let the ones you never even think of inspire another home cook.
Is there something taking up precious space in your kitchen that you want to donate? Let us know in the comments below!
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: 6 Things You Probably Don’t Need in Your Kitchen After 60