40 Things to Throw Away in 2026

There is no better time than right now to look around your home, your garage, your office, and your car, and ask yourself one simple question: does this still belong in my life?

Most of us accumulate stuff quietly. A broken chair that we keep meaning to fix. A box of cables that don’t connect to anything we own anymore. Clothes in the back of the wardrobe that haven’t seen daylight since 2019. It happens to all of us, and there is no shame in it. But at some point, the clutter starts to weigh on you, and a clear-out feels less like a chore and more like a relief.

We’ve put together a list of 40 things most people can throw away in 2026 without ever missing them. Work through these category by category, and you’ll be amazed at how much breathing room you create.

And if you come across things you’re not ready to part with but simply don’t have space for right now, our personal storage solutions at StorageWorks Artarmon are here to help. But first, let’s get sorting.

Kitchen

1. Expired pantry items Check the back of your pantry. Spices older than two years, tins past their use-by date, half-empty condiments that have been sitting there since last summer. If you wouldn’t cook with it tonight, it goes.
2. Duplicate utensils Three wooden spoons, four spatulas, two garlic presses. Pick your favourite and donate the rest.
3. Unused appliances The bread maker that only came out twice, the spiraliser you bought after watching a YouTube video, the ice cream maker still in its box. If it hasn’t been used in the past year, it probably won’t be.
4. Mismatched containers Plastic containers without lids, lids without containers. Toss them.
5. Chipped or cracked crockery A chipped mug isn’t cosy, it’s a hazard. Let it go.
6. Worn-out tea towels and oven mitts If they’re stained, fraying, or barely doing the job, replace them.

Wardrobe and Bedroom

7. Clothes you haven’t worn in 12 months The rule is simple. If it hasn’t been on your body in the last year, it’s unlikely to be worn in the next one either. Donate, sell, or recycle.
8. Clothes that no longer fit If you’re holding onto items for a future body, give yourself permission to let go. You can always buy new things when the time comes.
9. Single socks and holey underwear Enough said.
10. Broken jewellery Unless you have a plan to repair it this week, a tangled necklace with a broken clasp is just clutter.
11. Shoes you never reach for Be honest. The heels you wear once a year, the sandals that give you blisters. Keep what you love and wear.
12. Old handbags and wallets Keep your favourites, pass on the rest.
13. Worn-out pillows and doonas Pillows should generally be replaced every one to two years. If yours are lumpy or flat, they’re doing your sleep no favours. The Sleep Health Foundation has good guidance on this if you want to read further.

If you want to invest in vehicle storage, warehouse storage, or general business storage, contact us today at 02 9901 3200 or email artarmon@storageworks.com.au to get a quote and learn more about our prices and special offers! We also sell a range of boxes and packaging supplies.

Bathroom and Medicine Cabinet

14. Expired medications Go through your medicine cabinet and check every single item. Expired medications lose effectiveness and can be harmful. Take them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
15. Old makeup and skincare Most products have a shelf life, and past that point, bacteria can build up. If you can’t remember when you bought it, it’s time to toss it.
16. Dried-out nail polishes These are rarely worth trying to revive.
17. Toiletries you never use The gift sets, the hotel toiletries, the shampoos you tried once and hated. If you’re not going to use them, donate to a local shelter or community group.

Garage and Shed

18. Broken tools A rusted, broken tool sitting in a drawer isn’t useful. Fix it or throw it out.
19. Old paint tins Dried-up or very old paint takes up shelf space and can’t be used. Check with your local council on how to dispose of paint safely.
20. Worn-out garden equipment Torn garden gloves, a broken hose nozzle, a watering can that leaks. Replace what you actually use, and ditch what you don’t.
21. Old sports equipment you no longer use Roller blades, a tennis racket from 2010, a cricket bat from your school days. Donate to a community sports club or sell online.
22. Empty boxes from appliances you still own Most people keep these thinking they’ll need them for moving. In almost every case, you won’t. Let them go.

Home Office and Tech

23. Old cables and chargers This is the big one. Most homes have a drawer or a box somewhere stuffed with cables that don’t connect to anything you currently own. Keep only what you actually use.
24. Outdated electronics Old mobile phones, DVD players, an MP3 player, a digital camera that has been replaced by your phone. These can often be recycled responsibly through TechCollect, a free e-waste recycling program.
25. Old CDs and DVDs If you have a streaming subscription, the physical discs are probably sitting in a pile doing nothing.
26. Stacks of old magazines and catalogues Keep a few issues if they genuinely bring you joy, but a decade’s worth of home and garden magazines you never re-read is just dust.
27. Broken stationery Pens that don’t work, dried-out markers, a stapler that jams every time. Clear them out.
28. Outdated paperwork Old bank statements, expired warranties, instruction manuals for appliances you no longer own. Shred sensitive documents properly and recycle the rest.

Living Areas

29. Decorations you no longer like Taste changes. If a piece of decor no longer feels like you, donate it and let someone else enjoy it.
30. Puzzles and games with missing pieces A 1000-piece puzzle that’s missing 15 pieces isn’t fun. Out it goes.
31. Books you’ll never read again Keep the ones you love. Donate the rest to your local library, a school, or a second-hand bookshop.
32. Candles burned down to the wick You’ve had good use out of them. Time to let them go.
33. Worn-out cushions and throws If they’ve seen better days, they’re making your living room look tired rather than cosy.
34. Dead plants If it’s beyond saving, it’s time to say goodbye.

Kids’ Stuff

35. Toys that are broken or have missing parts A toy with missing pieces isn’t fun to play with. Toss it.
36. Toys and games your kids have outgrown Pass these on to another family, a local playgroup, or a charity. Someone else’s kids will love them.
37. Baby gear no longer needed If you’re done with that stage of life, high chairs, bouncers, and baby monitors can be donated or sold. No need to hold onto them forever.

Outdoor and Seasonal

38. Seasonal decorations that are broken or faded Old Christmas lights that no longer work, a faded Easter decoration that’s been sitting in a box for five years. Keep the things that still look good and bring joy, and let the rest go.
39. Unused camping gear If you haven’t camped in years and have no plan to do so, the tent taking up a whole shelf in your garage could be donated to someone who will actually use it.
40. Old outdoor furniture that’s past its best Rusted, cracked, or wobbly outdoor furniture isn’t comfortable or safe. Replace it or remove it.

What to Do With What’s Left

Going through this list will likely put you in one of two camps. Either you’ll have a satisfying pile of things to throw away, donate, or recycle, or you’ll find yourself with a collection of belongings you want to keep but genuinely don’t have space for at home right now.

That second category is actually more common than people think, and it’s a completely normal part of life. Maybe you’re in between homes, renovating, downsizing, or just in a stage of life where your space doesn’t match what you own. That’s where self-storage can be a smart short-term or long-term solution.

At StorageWorks, we offer over 50 different storage unit sizes and shapes, from small units for boxes and seasonal items to larger drive-up units for furniture and bigger items. You only pay for the space you need, and there are no hidden fees. We even have a range of packing supplies and boxes available on-site so you can pack everything up properly before you move it in.

Not sure how to pack things safely for storage? Our packing and storage tips guide covers everything from appliances and furniture to computers and glassware.

And if you’re inspired to take your decluttering a step further, our blog on embracing a minimalist lifestyle with personal storage is well worth a read.

The start of the year is the perfect moment to take back control of your space. Even working through just ten of these forty items this weekend will make a real difference. You’ll feel lighter, your home will feel calmer, and you’ll know exactly where everything is.

Ready to get started? Get in touch with our team at StorageWorks or call us on 02 9901 3200. We’re here to help you make room for the things that actually matter.