18 things you should immediately throw out or give away

Jacob Shamsian,Caroline FoxAug 1, 2020, 20:06 IST

Your old movie collection is just collecting dust.Epics/Getty Images

Whether you have old clothes lurking in the back of your closet or a drawer of phone chargers you just don't use anymore, getting rid of unnecessary things will give you peace of mind.
If something is still in good shape, you can research a local consignment store, donation collector, or charity that might make use of it.
Other items just need to be recycled so you can free up space.

There are few experiences more satisfying than throwing away junk you don't need. A clean home is a peaceful home.

No, that shiny Apple box will never be useful, and it's better off recycled than sitting in the back of your closet. And no, you're never going to peruse those old issues of Cosmo. Just let them go.

Pare your life down to the essentials. Here are 18 things you just don't need in your home anymore.

If you haven't worn the clothes in the back of your closet for over a year, donate them to someone who can put them to better use.

Someone else could use the clothes. Shutterstock

Whether you haven't worn them forever or the sole is falling off, free up closet space by tossing your old shoes.

Old sneakers. Getty Images

Get rid of those empty alcohol bottles "decorating" your home.

After you finish drinking, recycle the bottle. VICUSCHKA/Getty Images

Old toys can be hard to part with, but if you're not using them, it's best to donate them.

You can still feel nostalgic without having large boxes full of toys sitting around. Shutterstock

Old phone chargers take up way too much space and are hardly touched, so dispose of them and organize the equipment you do use.

Excess cords end up sitting in tangled piles. Darren Weaver/Business Insider

The chances of a single sock being reunited with its pair are slim, so you might as well put it towards a different use.

A single sock. Shutterstock

Any old condiments or food left in the back of your fridge should be composted immediately.

Fridge. Ariana DiValentino for Insider

Old grocery bags tend to occupy tons of space. It's best to switch to reusable bags to save room and protect the environment.

Plastic bags. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

If you have old business cards from previous jobs or internships, they are irrelevant and need to be recycled.

Business cards take up space. Jacob Shamsian/INSIDER

If you haven't opened that stack of magazines in months, it's best to toss them or put them towards a fun art project.

Just admit that you'll never read that award-winning feature. Shutterstock

While CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes are nostalgic, they take up plenty of space. Sort through and try to save your favorites, then give away the rest.

It's time to give away your old movies. Epics/Getty Images

Expired makeup is bad for your skin, so make sure to refresh your collection every once in a while.

Expired makeup is no good for you. Astrid Stawiarz / Getty

The same goes for expired medication. It's best to keep your medicine cabinet up to date, as well as understand how to recycle old medication safely.

Don't take expired medication. Getty Images/Mario Tama

Your toothbrush collects germs over time and should be swapped out every few months.

Toothbrushes should be routinely replaced. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Dish cleaning sponges shouldn't have a lifetime of more than a couple of weeks.

Wash them regularly. A3pfamily/Shutterstock

Water filters also need to be swapped out every few months, or else they lose their initial purpose.

Replace the filter. Dave Smith/Tech Insider

Once you burn through a candle completely, either reuse the jar or recycle it.

There's no point in having burned-out candles sitting around. 279photo Studio/Shutterstock

Old bills and receipts are unnecessary. Just take a photo and then get rid of it. Even better, opt out of paper billing completely.

Receipts should be thrown away. Lindsay DeMunno/INSIDER

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