In the kitchen
Raid the freezer and throw out anything that’s been there for more than a year – if you haven’t eaten it by now, it’s unlikely that you ever will, and it’s just taking up valuable space.
Also, go through your pantry and bin out-of-date items such as condiments and tinned food.
Cooking oils can also degrade over time, so if it’s a bit on the nose, it’s got to go.
Now it’s time to turn your attention to your Tupperware drawer. Any plastic containers that don’t have a lid should go in the recycling bin.
Bathroom
Dispose of out-of-date medicines and old cosmetics (which can cause skin and eye irritation). Also, check the expiry date on sunscreen products, which typically have a three-year shelf life. Expired sunscreen can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
If you have a stash of hotel toiletries rolling around in the back of a drawer, ask yourself if you’ll ever use them. If the honest answer is no, give them to someone who will.
Bedroom
One of life’s mysteries is that socks always seem to vanish into thin air.
Where do they go? We don’t know. But it’s time to face facts and ditch that
pile of single socks you’ve been holding onto in the vain hope that you’ll be able to make a pair someday soon. It’s not going to happen.
Other items to get rid of include unused coat hangers, underwear that’s seen better days (your lucky pants may have lost their magic) and knackered pillows that are as flat as pancakes (they’re probably harbouring dust mites).
From all of us here at Spencer Harvey, happy decluttering!