Top 10 Random Yet Surprising Items You Can Declutter Today

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When you think about items you can declutter, your mind might go straight to clothes, old mail, or the junk drawer.

But real clutter hides in plain sight. It builds slowly, filling spaces you stop noticing until one day you feel drained by it. Decluttering doesn’t mean living without comfort. By that, it means removing what no longer serves you so your home can breathe again.

There are manyitems you can declutter that take only minutes to handle but change how your space feels. You just need a small start. Choose one spot, one drawer, or one corner. Each little decision brings about the right step. Below are ten random yet surprising areas that hold the kind of clutter most people overlook.

1. Expired Spices and Condiments

Check your pantry and refrigerator shelves. You’ll probably find spices that lost their flavor or sauces that expired long ago. Throw away what’s no longer safe or useful. Keep only the staples you use often.

This quick clean-up gives you visible progress. Cooking feels simpler when you can see everything you have. Start here… it’s one of the easiest items you can declutter today.

2. Cables and Chargers That Don’t Fit Anything

Everyone has a drawer full of tangled cords. Old phone chargers, camera cables, and broken earbuds hide there. Go through them. Test each one. Keep the few you need and recycle the rest.

This simple task saves frustration later. When you organize these small things, you’ll spend less time searching and more time using what works.

3. Reusable Shopping Bags

Reusable bags multiply fast. They’re useful but easy to overstock. Keep a few strong ones and donate the extras. This is one of those items you can declutter in under five minutes.

Reducing extras frees space near your door or in your car. You’ll still have what you need without the clutter that creeps in quietly.

4. Unused Mugs and Water Bottles

Cabinets overflow with mugs from gifts, trips, or events. Most go untouched. Keep the ones you love and reach for often. Donate or give away the rest.

Opening a clean cabinet every morning feels good. You’ll find what you need right away, and your space will look calm and clear.

5. Duplicate Kitchen Tools

Look through your drawers. You may find two of the same spatula, three can openers, or more baking pans than you ever use. Pick your favorites and let go of the rest.

This is a practical example of how to start decluttering your home. Begin with easy wins like the kitchen. It’s a space where change shows right away and motivates you to keep going.

6. Expired Medicines and Toiletries

Medicine cabinets collect clutter fast. Check dates on every bottle and tube. Dispose of expired medication safely at your local pharmacy. Toss old lotions or products you don’t use anymore.

Clearing out these items you can declutter protects your health and simplifies your routine. A clean bathroom counter creates a calmer start and end to your day.

7. Worn-Out Towels and Linens

Old towels and faded sheets take up space but serve little purpose. Keep a small set of good ones for each person and donate or recycle the rest.

Animal shelters often welcome used towels, so nothing goes to waste. This is one of those unexpected things to declutter that instantly creates visible order.

8. Manuals, Papers, and Mail

Paper piles build fast—receipts, bills, and instruction booklets. The truth is, most manuals exist online now. Recycle the paper versions and keep only what you truly need.

If you’re following a declutter your home checklist, this step feels rewarding. It clears visual noise and reduces mental stress every time you walk past your desk.

9. Outdated Decorations

Home décor changes with time, but old pieces often linger. Dusty candles, broken picture frames, or outdated wall art can make a room feel heavy. Keep what still brings warmth and meaning. Donate the rest.

Your space should reflect who you are today. Letting go of the past doesn’t erase it—it simply gives room for what feels right now.

10. Forgotten Hobbies and Projects

We all have them: half-finished crafts, unused workout gear, or supplies for hobbies that no longer bring joy. They take up space and energy.

These are emotional items you can declutter because they often carry guilt. Let them go. Give the materials to someone who will enjoy them. You’ll feel lighter the moment they’re gone.

Items You Can Declutter? What Decluttering Teaches You

Decluttering is about paying attention. Every item in your home either supports your life or distracts from it.

Joanne Radke, author of Why Is My House Always a Mess?, writes about this connection between order and peace. Growing up with both a “clean freak” mother and a “hoarder” father, she learned that balance matters most. Her book explains that the state of your home reflects the state of your heart.

She shows that real change happens when you stop chasing perfection and focus on progress. A home filled with order feels peaceful because it reflects intentional choices.

The Calm That Comes With Less

After you declutter, you notice the change right away. You breathe easier. You move freely. You stop apologizing for the mess.

A calm space looks better AND… supports your well-being. You save time, think clearer, and feel more at ease.

If you want extra guidance, The Spruce offers practical decluttering strategies that match this simple approach. Each small action adds up to lasting peace.

The Emotional Reward

Decluttering stirs emotion, and that’s part of the process. You may feel relief or sadness. Take your time. Choose a few sentimental pieces to keep and release the rest.

Objects don’t hold memories—people do. Letting go allows those memories to live in your heart, not in storage boxes.

Every decision to simplify helps you breathe easier and focus on what matters.

When Simplicity Feels Right?

Owning fewer things means you’re left with what truly serves you. You’ll notice how much easier daily life becomes when every surface, drawer, and shelf feels intentional.

Decluttering teaches gratitude. You stop chasing more and start appreciating enough. That shift changes not just your home, but your outlook on life.

A Helpful Book for Your Journey

If you want a guide that merges faith and practical steps, read Why Is My House Always a Mess? by Joanne Radke.

This 30-day guide walks you through both the emotional and physical sides of decluttering. Each day offers a short reflection, a question, and an action. Her insight connects spiritual peace with physical order. It’s ideal for anyone who wants a simple, kind approach to cleaning both home and heart.

Pick up her book when you’re ready to go deeper into lasting change. It’s not just about cleaning but it’s about creating peace.

Look around today. Choose one or two items you can declutter. Start there. That’s how every peaceful home begins.

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Joanne Radke

With over 46 years of experience as a pastor, mentor, counselor, and friend, Joanne Radke has dedicated her life to helping countless individuals find hope and healing. Her deep compassion has led her to serve in six different ministries, including 15 years in children's ministry. Joanne’s impact extends across Canada and around the globe, most notably through her 17-year leadership of the CBA – The 700 Club Canadian prayer center, where she trains and ministers to people daily. Discover more about Joanne's remarkable journey and heart for others.

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