7 Things Experts Wish You’d Get Rid Of in January

A new year invites a fresh start, and sometimes the easiest way to feel lighter at home is simply to let a few things go. Experts say January is the ideal moment to release the items that you’re “making do with” or “saving just in case” but never actually use. Whether they’re tucked in drawers, crowding your cabinets, or hiding behind holiday decor, these everyday culprits add visual noise and drain energy without you even noticing. Here are the seven categories the pros say are worth tackling first.

Reusable bags, takeout containers, and leftover condiment packets tend to multiply quickly — especially after a season of hosting and holiday errands. Pamela Wilkie of Joyganize says most people keep far more than they need. A well-curated handful of sturdy tote bags and a small set of matching food containers not only looks neater, but also makes everyday routines smoother. Amanda Rivera of Tidy Red adds that anything arriving in a takeout bag has a way of drifting into drawers forever. Keep the items that genuinely help you and let the rest go guilt-free.

Sentimental paper piles (like old-school binders or stacks of magazines) have a way of lingering long after their usefulness. Emily Kate Johnson, founder of Organized by Emily Kate, sees this often. Her suggestion? Keep only the pieces that still mean something and take photos of the rest. 

Alesia Chumakova, digital decluttering and sustainability expert at iScanner, recommends scanning children’s drawings, postcards, or notes and storing them digitally. She also suggests swapping sticky notes and notebooks for note-taking apps to reduce paper clutter altogether.

Holiday decor falls into the same category. If something stayed in the bin this year, it’s probably not something you love. Laura Price, owner of The Home Organisation, notes that letting go of a sentimental item isn’t rejecting the person who gave it; appreciating the gesture in the moment is enough. Keeping just a few meaningful pieces creates space for simpler decorating next season.

Leftovers, outdated jars, and snacks no one in your household actually likes can quietly take over shelves. Heather Stanwick of Organized Living suggests a quick postholiday sweep to toss expired goods and stale treats. Creating one easy-access snack spot can instantly make your pantry feel more intentional. Items that masquerade as “useful someday” are also common offenders. If you find open boxes, duplicate spices, or containers missing lids, it’s a sign that your system needs a refresh — not more stuff.

Closets inevitably become catchalls during busy seasons. Gillian Economou of Sort It Out recommends beginning the year with a simple sort: Outgrown clothes, damaged pieces, forgotten toys, and worn-out linens you never reach for can all be donated or recycled. Freebie T-shirts, lanyards, tote bags, and company swag often wind up shoved on shelves without adding any real value. Removing these items instantly clears visual clutter (and frees space for things you do reach for daily).

Sometimes clutter isn’t about quantity; it’s about how certain items make you feel. Interior therapist and Feng Shui consultant Suzanne Roynon says photos of unfamiliar people, decor you never liked, or items associated with past relationships can subtly impact your emotional energy. If something brings tension instead of comfort, it doesn’t need to stay. 

Holding on to items for the next generation often comes from good intentions, though Cathy Orr, cofounder of The Uncluttered Life, says it’s rarely necessary. Old baby gear, unused toys, helmets, expired bathroom samples, and electronics from years ago aren’t heirlooms; they’re just taking up room. These items tend to travel from home to home, attic to basement, without actually being used. Letting them go creates breathing space now instead of placing the burden on someone later.

Nearly every organizer mentions them: the mystery cables, the lone puzzle pieces, the spare buttons, the batteries you’re pretty sure are dead. Economou says the rule is simple: If it’s expired or hasn’t been needed in years, it’s not serving you. 

Decluttering doesn’t have to be dramatic. A few thoughtful edits can make your home feel calmer and more intentional right away. And the best part? Every item you let go of creates more space for the life you actually want to live this year.