10 Things to Toss RIGHT NOW for an Instantly Cleaner Home
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
If you want your home to look instantly cleaner without spending hours scrubbing baseboards (seriously, who has time for that?), I’ve got you.
The trick?
Get rid of the junk that’s taking up space and making your home look messier than it actually is. And I’m talking about stuff that is easy to toss—no sentimental breakdowns required.
This isn’t a five-hour deep clean—it’s a ten-minute, instant gratification declutter session. And once you’re done, sit back and enjoy your magically cleaner-looking home.
Ready? Set a timer for 10 minutes, grab a trash bag, and let’s do this.
10 Things to Toss RIGHT NOW
1. Dead Plants and Sad Flowers
If your houseplants are thriving, congratulations! You are a responsible adult. But if you have a crispy, brown, formerly green thing sitting on your windowsill, it’s time to let it go.
Same goes for the bouquet from last week that’s now a sad science experiment. Toss it, and suddenly, your home looks more fresh and put together.
2. Empty or Near-Empty Bottles
I see you, clinging to that shampoo bottle with one sad drop left or the lotion container that requires an Olympic-level squeeze to get anything out.
Toss them.
If you have replacements already, great! If not, add them to your shopping list, but don’t let them clutter your bathroom or sink area any longer.
3. Junk Mail and Expired Coupons
Why do we let paper clutter pile up like we’re historians documenting the junk mail era? Junk mail is called junk for a reason.
If you’ve got a stack of random flyers, expired coupons, or unopened mail that you already know is garbage, it’s time to say goodbye.
Recycle it, shred it, whatever—just get it off your counters. Instant improvement.
4. The “I’ll Fix It Someday” Pile
That broken toy, the chipped mug, the purse with a busted zipper—if it’s been sitting there for months and you haven’t fixed it yet, you’re not going to.
Be honest with yourself and let it go.
5. Socks Without a Match (a.k.a. The Lone Rangers)
Unless you enjoy playing matchmaker for single socks, it’s time to let them go. If they’ve been missing their partner for more than a month, they’ve moved on. Time for you to do the same. Bonus: your laundry room instantly looks less like a crime scene.
6. Excess Plastic Containers With No Lids
You know that cabinet that attacks you every time you open it? The one overflowing with mismatched Tupperware? Yeah, it’s time. If a lid is MIA, toss its partner. If it’s stained, cracked, or smells like last week’s spaghetti, out it goes. Your cabinets will breathe a sigh of relief.
7. Random Cords and Chargers
If you have a mystery cord that doesn’t belong to anything you currently own, why are you keeping it?
Unless you’re actively using it, donate it or recycle it. Your junk drawer (and your sanity) will thank you.
8. Random Trinkets & Ugly Decor You Secretly Hate
That dusty souvenir from your cousin’s trip to Cancun? The candle that smells like “woodsy vanilla nightmares”? The broken figurine you might superglue back together someday? BYE. If you don’t love it or use it, let it go. Less clutter = a cleaner-looking space.
9. Old Magazines & Receipts
Unless you’re making a vision board (go you!), you don’t need a stack of old magazines. And those crumpled receipts? If it’s not a tax write-off, send it on its merry way to the trash can.
Goodbye, paper clutter—hello, clean surfaces.
10. Random & Expired Beauty Products
That mascara from three years ago? Toss it.
Expired sunscreen? Useless.
Crusty old lip gloss that smells weird? You don’t need that negativity in your life.
If your hair tie is stretched out and barely holding on (literally), it’s time to let it go. Same goes for those 27 random bobby pins hiding in every corner of your home. Keep a few good ones and ditch the rest.
Clearing out old beauty products makes your bathroom look instantly neater (and keeps your skin happy).
Download the Free Checklist
Enter your name and email address in the form below for immediate access to this free printable checklist:
Now What? Keep the Momentum Going!
See?
That wasn’t so bad! Your home already looks better, and you didn’t even break a sweat.
The best part?
Decluttering a little leads to decluttering a little more.
Once you see how much of a difference these easy tosses make, you might just be motivated to tackle the next layer of chaos (looking at you, junk drawer).
So grab a trash bag and start tossing!
What are you tossing first? Let me know in the comments!
MORE HELPFUL IDEAS –