10 things in your kitchen to throw out ASAP, according to the experts
Most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it can easily turn into a catchall. Chances are, there are drawers filled with random papers, countertops cluttered with spices, plus that overfilled cabinet you have to shut quickly before lunchboxes come crashing down.
It’s so important to take stock regularly of what you own — removing rarely used things that are hiding in the back of kitchen cabinets or the pantry.
Kitchen clutter can put a damper on your daily routine, making it more difficult to cook, clean or host guests. Not to mention the daily frustration that comes with crowded cabinets and drawers. There are likely plenty of items in your kitchen that you don’t need — or worse, are full of harmful bacteria.
Below, experts and organisers share their advice for clearing clutter in the kitchen once and for all, starting with the things you should get rid of right away.
❌ Worn-out chopping boards
Chopping boards wear out over time, leading to grooves that are difficult to clean. “Be ruthless if your boards are well used,” says Kate Ibbotson, professional organiser from A Tidy Mind. “Chopping boards that are worn out can harbour bacteria in the rivets and dents that knives make and pose a health risk.
“When decluttering, consider replacing them with new, durable boards. Go by the saying ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ and invest in high-quality, natural materials. If you want to reuse them, you can sand them down for use as serving boards or trivets.”
❌ Small specialty appliances
Think about it: How often do you actually use that ice cream maker, sandwich toaster and seasonal waffle maker? Ibbotson continues: “These appliances often take up valuable space and are rarely used. It’s important to evaluate whether you truly need them. Ask yourself: ‘do I own something else that does the same job?’ If so, you could free up space in your cupboards and keep your kitchen surfaces clearer for an uncluttered look and easier cleaning.
“If you do keep speciality appliances and don’t use them regularly, consider storing them in harder-to-reach places to free your accessible space for daily used items. If they have numerous attachments, you could keep them contained in freezer bags taped to the device.
“If you’d like to let these items go, they may sell easily on apps such as Vinted or local Facebook groups. Or you can donate to charity shops that PAT test appliances such as The British Heart Foundation. If they’re broken, your local recycling centre will be able to recycle the parts at least.”
❌ Instruction manuals
That new dishwasher, refrigerator or small appliance, such as an air fryer, came with a lengthy user manual. Instead of tossing it in a junk drawer to accumulate clutter, recycle it straight away. “With most manuals available online, physical copies can add unnecessary clutter,” says Ibbotson. “Consider saving digital versions in folders on cloud storage or just look them up online if needed.
“You can either recycle paper manuals, burn them if you have an open fire or reuse them by cutting them up for tags or labels.”
❌ Chipped or cracked dishes
If a few dishes in your set have minor chips or cracks, it might not seem like a big deal to hold on to them. In reality, “Chipped dishes can harbour bacteria in those tiny crevices, making them harder to clean properly and a potential health risk,” says Emma Kenwrick-Meehan, professional organiser at Home Nip And Tuck. “Rather than binning them, consider using chipped plates as catchalls for keys or coins.”
❌ Stained plastic containers
“Stained plastic containers may indicate chemical breakdown, which can release toxins and trap food particles that breed bacteria,” says Kenwrick-Meehan. “To reduce waste, repurpose these containers for non-food storage, such as organising craft supplies or small toys.
“If you want to make them safe to use again, then a quick hack for cleaning them is to make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of water. Apply the paste to the stained areas, scrub with a sponge, and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing. For tougher stains, fill the container with a mix of white vinegar and warm water, let it soak for 30 minutes, and then rinse. Both methods help lift stains and odours without harsh chemicals, making them safe to use again!”
❌ Expired foods
“Expired foods lose nutritional value over time and may develop harmful bacteria or mould that’s unsafe to eat,” says Kenwrick-Meehan. “Compost what you can, and for packaged goods, recycle where possible, to minimise waste.”
❌ Kitchen sponges
While we use the kitchen sponge to clean our dishes, it can quickly get filled with moisture and residual food, leading to bacterial growth and a musty smell. “Ideally, we should be cleaning our sponges once a week by soaking them in a disinfectant, such as Milton’s Sterilising Fluid,” says Katie Mortram, household advice editor at GH. "But over time, your sponge will naturally see wear and if you don’t take the time to clean it, it will need replacing more quickly.”
If you want to save on waste, you can switch to silicone sponges, which are often dishwasher-safe. Some sponges, such as Scrub Daddy, can also go in the dishwasher.
❌ Old tea towels
Our tea towels see repeated use day in, day out. Sometimes, it seems they’re barely given a chance to dry! While you can restore these in the washing machine, over time they can see heavy wear and tear, with holes and scorch marks often being the result.
Mortram continues: “You don’t need an abundance of tea towels. If you’re stocking up, you could repurpose some for particularly messy jobs. I try to keep a couple in the boot of the car, in case we need to load plant pots.”
❌ Scratched non-stick pans
No matter how careful you are, sooner or later, non-stick pans end up scratched. We persevere with them but eventually, it’s more work to cook with them than it’s worth. Plus, there’s plenty of bacteria hiding in those grooves. When it reaches this stage, it’s time to replace your pans. You can check out our list of the best non-stick frying pans for options.
Modern Teflon-coated pans are safe to cook with so long as they're not sustained at temperatures over 260°C, after which, the finish can discolour and break down. However, older pans bought prior to 2019 may contain PFOS, which has since been prohibited in the EU. And pans bought prior to 2005 may use PFOA coatings, which are now banned for dangers relating to toxicity. These older pans should definitely be removed.
Old saucepans can sometimes be recycled at a local Recycling Point. Check recyclenow.com to find your nearest one.
❌ Reusable water bottles
Take stock of how many reusable water bottles you have stashed in the kitchen. Realistically, you only need one or two per person in the household. Luckily, many water bottles can be recycled.
How to Responsibly Dispose of Clutter
Just because you no longer need something, doesn’t mean it should go straight in the bin. If your kitchen items (such as small appliances or reusable water bottles) are in good condition, donate them to second-hand stores such as British Heart Foundation and British Red Cross, or even consider selling them. For broken, stained or worn-out kitchen items, research what can be recycled in your area before throwing them away. Recyclenow.com can help with this.
Intro. Unlike other areas of the home, items in the kitchen tend to rotate in and out on a regular basis. Ann, Done & Done Home.Intro.Warped or stained plastic food storagePlastic containers, especially when warped or stained, can leach harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates into your food. Opt for glass or stainless steel alternatives instead. If your old plastic is recyclable, check local guidelines to dispose of it properly. Shira Gill, organizing expert and author of Minimalista Traditional spongesUsed sponges can be breeding grounds for bacteria and should be replaced regularly. Swap them for more sustainable options like compostable sponges or washable cloths to reduce waste. GillChipped or cracked dishesEven small cracks in ceramics can harbor bacteria and may leach lead or other chemicals. Toss these items and replace them with more durable, eco-friendly alternatives. GillWorn-out cutting boardsCutting boards that are heavily scratched can trap bacteria in the grooves. Wooden or bamboo boards are great sustainable options—just sand them down if they start to wear out! GillScratched pots and pansWhen non-stick cookware gets scratched, it can release toxic chemicals into your food. Replace these pans with safer options like cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic-coated cookware. Many communities offer cookware recycling programs—search for a local drop-off point. GillAlso consider throwing away pots and pans that are damaged or no longer work well. While it's not ideal to throw away something like a pan, if it doesn't work and you never use it, it should be tossed. Ann, Done & Done HomeSmall appliances you never useThings in your kitchen that you should consider donating are small appliances you only use once or twice a year. If you think you might need that one appliance for the party you may or may not have, ask yourself whether you could borrow one from a friend or neighbor. Small appliances take up a lot of valuable real estate in your kitchen and it may not be worth it to store them for occasional use. Ann, Done & Done HomeSpace is a huge factor when deciding whether to hold onto specialty small appliances - we’re talking shaved ice machines and seasonal waffle makers. If you have space, tuck them out of the way on a lower pantry shelf or kitchen cupboard. If space is limited, we recommend only holding onto the small appliances you’re using regularly. Items used only once a year just aren’t worth the clutter you have to visualize daily. Ashley Murphy, NEAT Expired foodsYou might be surprised how much expired food is hiding away in the corners of your pantry and fridge. Take a minute to scan expiration dates and toss anything past its prime. Ashley Murphy, NEATItems Missing Pieces: From lids and straws, to necessary attachments and accessories - if your item is no longer functioning properly you can safely say goodbye. Take the opportunity to replace it with one that has all the parts. Ashley Murphy, NEATAppliance Manuals: Troubleshooting and Quick Start guides for household appliances might seem like something you have to hold onto, but the truth is, they can all be found online. The next time you need help resetting your microwave pull up the instructions online. In many cases, you’ll even find an easy-to-follow how-to video. Ashley Murphy, NEAT
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