The Best Kitchen Declutter List (30+ Things to Unclutter)

posted on : March 13, 2023 posted by : Ellie

Are you overwhelmed by a cluttered kitchen? Here’s a kitchen declutter checklist of over 30 items to declutter for a clutter-free kitchen.

✅Download a printable, concise copy of this Kitchen Declutter List here.

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Items to Toss or Recycle When Decluttering the Kitchen

1.) Broken or Cracked Dishes

If these aren’t sentimental items that you want to keep, (such as your grandmother’s dishes she gave to you that may have a chip in them here or there,) you should toss them.

It’s safest to use dishes that are in good condition (and they look better too.)

2.) Extra Tupperware/Storage Containers

extra food storage containers to declutter from your kitchen

You don’t need to keep more food storage containers than you’re actually using.

You’ll also want to recycle or toss ones you’re missing pieces of (such as ones you don’t use because you’re missing the lids.)

3.) Extra Lids or Caps

If you have extra lids, caps, or tops, you can toss or recycle these.

4.) Extra Jars

Some people do reuse jars. But if you aren’t currently using them, declutter them from your kitchen.

5.) Broken Electronic Tools or Appliances

If you own any broken electronic tools or appliances that you aren’t realistically going to repair, aren’t under warranty, and can’t be used as is, toss these to give yourself more space.

6.) Broken/Damaged Cookware or Bakeware

cooking pots that are damaged that will be decluttered from the kitchen

It’s best not to use cookware/bakeware that is broken or damaged.

For example, you don’t want to use a non-stick pan that has the non-stick layer coming off because that can get into the food.

7.) Rusted Silverware or Baking/Cooking Tools

According to the USDA website, “Rust is not a food safe material so it should not be ingested.”

The last time I got new silverware, I bought these ones off of Amazon which are rust-proof and I haven’t had an issue with them.

8.) Cooking/Food Utensils that are Damaged/Peeling/Breaking

For example, get rid of plastic spatulas that are peeling apart from heat exposure.

Replace damaged ones with spatulas that are heat resistant if you need more.

9.) Dull Knives

If you have dull knives you aren’t using and you don’t plan on getting them sharpened, these are great candidates to toss.

Replace them with new knives if you need more.

10.) Empty Cleaning Bottles/Containers

empty cleaning bottles that will be decluttered from a kitchen

Any empty cleaning bottles or containers you aren’t using should be recycled or tossed.

I do sometimes reuse spray bottles, but if I don’t have an immediate plan to reuse one after it’s empty, I will recycle it, so it’s not cluttering up my kitchen space.

11.) Old Cleaning Supplies You Don’t Need

If you have cleaning supplies you don’t need or use anymore, these should be tossed.

12.) Papers/Mail/Receipts

Put away/file any paper clutter you want/need to keep. And shred, recycle, or toss any papers, mail, or receipts you don’t need.

13.) Expired, Old, or Questionable Food/Drink

a woman declutters expired food from her fridge

There’s no point in keeping food or drink that’s unsafe to consume or that may be unsafe.

You don’t want to keep things that can make you or your family sick or that’ll just waste space while gradually getting more gross.

14.) Opened Foods or Drinks You Don’t Like or Don’t Plan on Finishing

Toss any foods or drinks you’ve opened that you aren’t going to finish. Otherwise, they will waste space and just go bad eventually anyways.

15.) Empty Bottles/Cans

In our household, we are able to recycle these. But if you don’t recycle/aren’t able to recycle them, then just toss them.

16.) Empty Boxes You Don’t Need

These are just another form of trash, so you’ll want to recycle or toss these.

17.) Expired Supplements/Vitamins/Medications

old medications that need to be decluttered from the kitchen

As is the case with expired food, there’s no point in keeping any expired supplements, vitamins, or medications.

Safely dispose of these.

18.) Prescription Medications You No Longer Need/Use

If you don’t keep medications in your kitchen or pantry, then don’t worry about this right now. I realize not everyone does, and if you don’t, you can focus on decluttering these when you’re working on the room you do keep them in.

However, I’m listing this here, because according to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, “almost one in two (45%) of us keep our medicines in the kitchen.”

So this will be relevant for many people who are decluttering their kitchen.

19.) Expired Coupons or Coupons You Won’t Use

If you have old coupons in your kitchen that you don’t need, these can be recycled or thrown out.

20.) Worn Out Hand Towels, Oven Mitts, Potholders, or Dish Cloths

old worn out dish clothes and dish towels that need to be decluttered

You can toss these. Ones that are in good condition will look better and work better.

And in the case of oven mitts and potholders, you could actually burn yourself if these are worn out, which is not cool (literally) and defeats the purpose of using them.

21.) Take-out Menus You Don’t Use

Almost every time we order take-out or get food delivered, we get a menu included.

However, realistically, I’ve realized that we don’t actually use the menus, even when we order again from the places the menus are from. I’ll usually just look at the menu online. And therefore, I usually just recycle these.

Do yourself a favor and don’t keep any paper clutter you don’t need.

Kitchen Items to Give Away, Sell, or Donate

The following items on this kitchen declutter list may be items you can pass along to other people.

22.) Unopened Shelf-Stable Foods You Won’t Use

As long as they aren’t expired and have been stored in a way that’s safe, you can donate these or give them away.

Note: Canned foods that have been frozen can pose a health risk so just be careful that you store items in a way that they’ll stay safe to consume.

23.) Extra Dishes, Cookware, or Bakeware

If you have extra of these that you don’t have a reasonable future use for, they can be donated or given away.

(You may also want to pack some of these items away in the event you have dishes or cookware break in the future, but try not to keep more than you need.)

For more tips on decluttering dishes, check out this Podcast or Post here.

24.) Baking or Cooking Tools You Aren’t Using

unused baking tools that will be decluttered from the kitchen

If you’re keeping cooking tools and gadgets that you aren’t actually using, this is unnecessary clutter and a waste of your kitchen space.

As long as they still work, you can give these away, donate them, or even sell them.

25.) Kitchen or Pantry Organizers You Aren’t Using

If you previously purchased storage containers, racks, or other organizers that are sitting in your kitchen or pantry unused, these are great candidates to get rid of.

26.) Cookbooks You Aren’t Using

If you have cookbooks that you don’t use, for whatever reason, these can be decluttered from your kitchen, and passed along to someone else who will use them.

27.) Baby/Toddler Utensils, Cups, Bottles, Etc. that Your Kids Outgrew

These items can take up significant space, especially if you aren’t using them.

So if your kids no longer need them, you can give them away or donate them if they’re still in good condition.

(Parents can also pack these away if they’ll have more kids in the future, but don’t need them now.)

28.) Gift or Souvenir Items You No Longer Want/Need to Keep

For example, you may have an old souvenir coffee mug you don’t use or want.

Do yourself and your kitchen a favor and get it out of the house. Save the space for items you do want and use.

Kitchen Items to Pack Away/Store Elsewhere

Decluttering doesn’t always mean getting rid of items.

So here are some things on the kitchen declutter list that you may want to keep, but in a location outside of your kitchen.

29.) Sentimental Items You Want to Keep But Aren’t Using

You may want to display certain items in a china cabinet elsewhere, instead of keeping them in your kitchen with regularly-used items, such as a fancy tea set or dishes your grandmother left you.

30.) Items Only Used on Rare Special Occasions

Some examples may include serving platters, special dishes for annual gatherings, etc.

These types of items can take up a significant amount of space, so you may want to store them outside of your kitchen so you have more space for items you’re regularly using (especially if you have a smaller kitchen.)

31.) Miscellaneous Items that Don’t Belong in Your Kitchen or Pantry

There may be toys, tools, or other household items in your kitchen/pantry that don’t belong there.

Put them away where they go, find a home for them if they don’t have a set spot yet, or get rid of them if they’re no longer needed.

So those are 30+ items you can check off of your Kitchen Declutter Checklist.

✅Don’t forget to grab a printable copy of this checklist here so you can work through your kitchen and make more space for the items that are important to you.

Have a great day, and thanks for reading!

a decluttered kitchen with clean countertops

The Best Tips for Decluttering Your Kitchen This Year

How to Declutter Kitchen Drawers, Dishes, Cabinets, & Counters (Podcast or Post #19)