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Clean and Scentsible

20 Things to Declutter from the Kitchen

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Learn how to declutter the kitchen with this kitchen decluttering checklist and decluttering tips. Free organization printable included!

White farmhouse style kitchen decorated for summer.

The Kitchen Decluttering Challenge

Is your kitchen starting to feel cluttered and filled with items you don’t use? If so, I have a challenge for you to help you declutter the kitchen in no time! I find that doing a timed decluttering really helps me get things going when I am working on a room.  This is all about getting rid of as much stuff as you can in a dedicated amount of time {30 minutes works well for me}.  You are not emptying everything out of the cupboards, you are not taking a stroll down memory lane looking at all of your items, and you are NOT re-organizing during this time.  All you are focused on is looking at what you have and deciding what you can either donate, sell {be careful of this one as it can end up costing you more time and stress than it is worth!}, or throw out.

Wood tray used to corral kitchen essentials.

Declutter the Kitchen – How to Get Started

To get started, all you need is a couple of boxes to hold items that you will be getting rid of and a large trash bag or two. You may also want to have a bin for items that you come across that belong elsewhere in your home, but that’s not really the focus of this particular challenge.  Once you’re ready to go, just set the timer and work in a systematic pattern around the room going quickly through all of your cupboards, drawers, and surfaces to see what you can get rid of.  I like working in one direction around the room but you could also work top to bottom if that works better for you. Pretend you are on a gameshow with the timer ticking and the audience cheering you on to gather as much stuff as possible! 🙂

Kitchen drawer with dish towels stored horizontally.

This may not get rid of everything that you need to declutter, but it will be a good start and will save you time when it comes to actually cleaning out and organizing your cupboards and drawers.  I find that putting a timer on, gives it a little bit of urgency and helps me to make a gut decision rather than going back and forth about whether or not I really need the item.  Honestly, if you don’t immediately say “I use this” or “I love this”, it can probably go.  Spending time thinking about that “someday” situation that you may or may not need it, is not going to help anyone.

Acrylic drawer organizer for under the kitchen sink.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Decluttering

As you’re sorting through your items, try to work quickly and not put off making decisions about what you want to keep and what you will donate. If you’re feeling a bit stuck, try asking yourself these questions…

  • Do I use this?  You shouldn’t really have to think long about this.  You either use it or you don’t.  Take note that the question is NOT “Will I possibly use this one day?”.
  • Is this item extra?  How many wooden spoons do you really need?  Do you really use all four cookie sheets?  Evaluate what you need and use on a regular basis.  Remember that you can always borrow items from friends or family for those “one time” events.  Choose your favorite and donate the extras!
  • Would I buy this today?  I find that this is a really helpful questions when looking at decorative items.  Ask yourself if you still love it and if it is still your style.  Is it adding beauty or function to the space or is it just adding to the clutter?
  • Does this help to make my life easier?  There may be some items that you don’t really need, but you do use regularly and they help to simplify things.  For example, we have a rice maker that we use at least a couple of times per week.  Yes, I could make rice on the stove and get rid of the rice maker, but it really does help to make things run smoother.  You can definitely splurge on some items – just make sure they are useful to you!

Mrs. Meyers hand soap and hand lotion on a tray beside the sink.

20 Items to Declutter from the Kitchen

The following list is just a starting point to get you going. Remember that items that are important to you might not be important to others, so do what works for you!

  1. Cookbooks. Donate cookbooks that you no longer use.  For books that you only use one or two recipes, consider writing them out and storing them in a recipe box or binder rather than keeping the whole book.  If you keep recipe magazines, tear out the pages that you would like and store them in a binder.
  2. Wooden spoons or other cooking utensils.
  3. Dish towels. Go through all dish towels and discard those that are past their prime.  Evaluate your remaining towels to see if you actually need and use them all.  If not, donate them or use them for rags if they are not in good enough condition to donate.  Animal shelters are often happy to take larger dish towels.
  4. Baking Ware.  Look for extra, old, or unused cookie sheets, pie pans, muffin tins, etc.
  5. Cleaning Supplies. Take stock of your cleaning supplies and toss those that you no longer use.  If you have multiple bottles with the same product, combine them.  Place those bottles that are close to empty towards the front of your stash so you will use them up first.
  6. Mixing Bowls.  
  7. Countertops. Nothing makes your kitchen look messier than a cluttered countertop, and the clutter makes counters much more difficult to wipe down and keep clean.  Get rid of unneeded papers, small appliances that are not used on a regular basis {you could just store these away if you still use them periodically}, and decorative accessories that you do not love.
  8. Oven Mitts/Hot Pads.
  9. Spices. Chances are you have at least a few spices that you never use that are still lurking in your cupboards.  Toss any spices that you don’t use or have lost their flavor.  Try just stocking the basic spices that you use.  You can always look to buy a small amount of bulk spices if you need something for a particular recipe down the line.
  10. Corning ware.
  11. Pantry Items.  Toss anything that is opened that you won’t be using or items that are expired.  If you have other items stocked that you don’t think you will use, donate them to a food bank.
  12. Fridge/Freezer. Quickly toss items that are expired or look freezer burned. Check bottles for expiry dates – you may be surprised at what you find!
  13. Tupperware or other food storage. Match up lids and bottoms and toss anything that does not have a pair.  Donate any remaining items that you no longer need or use.
  14. Cutlery.
  15. Glasses and Coffee Mugs. Take stock of what you really need.  Recycle any chipped or broken glasses.  If you have extra, mis-matched pieces, let them go.  If you are a coffee mug collector, keep your favorites to put on display and donate the rest.
  16. Dishware.
  17. Kitchen Gadgets. Kitchen gadgets always sound so amazing, but are often seldom used.  Donate any items that you no longer use OR if the function can be done with another item that you already have.  Don’t save items for “someday” – keep only what you use.
  18. Small Kitchen Appliances.  If you don’t use it {or the task can really be done by another appliance}, donate or sell it.  You will get a big bang for your buck with these as they are often huge space suckers!
  19. Medicine/Vitamins. If you don’t already store your medicine here, the kitchen is a great spot for it as long as it is kept in a cooler spot away from the steam of the stove or other appliances.  Be sure all medications are up to date, you know what everything is for, and it is stored safely away from little hands.
  20. Junk Drawer. I think most of us have a “junk drawer” with miscellaneous items – just make sure you actually need what you keep!  Look for old batteries, extra office supplies, candles, tools, phone chargers or extra cords that you no longer use, etc.

Organized spices with glass jars and vinyl labels.

Free Printable Kitchen Decluttering Checklist

If you’d like to print out your own kitchen decluttering checklist, just click on the link below, save it to your computer, and print it out. This printable coordinates with my Household Organization Diet printables, so you can just add them to your binder with your kitchen tasks.

Free kitchen decluttering checklist - 20 Things to Declutter from the Kitchen

DOWNLOAD YOUR PRINTABLE HERE

I hope this helps you to finally declutter the kitchen once and for all! If 30 minutes seems too short for this, remember that it is just a quick discard of all of those items that you are going to toss or donate. If you stick to the task at hand and work quickly, you will be surprised at what you can come up with!

More Kitchen Organization Ideas

For more kitchen organization ideas, check out these posts…

Acrylic under the sink organizers.

Under Kitchen Sink Organization

White farmhouse style kitchen with beautiful pink peonies in the sink.

How to Organize the Kitchen

Organized fridge with a lazy susan and mason jars to keep things organized.

Fridge Organization

The Household Organization Diet

This post is part of The Household Organization Diet. If you need some organization inspiration, check out THIS POST  to learn more about the plan and grab your FREE room by room organization printables.  You CAN get that house cleaned and organized once and for all!  To see all of the previous posts click the Get Organized tab at the top of the blog and go to The Household Organization Diet.  I also have all of the posts pinned to my Household Organization Diet pinterest board.  Start at any time and make sure you are following along so you don’t miss out…

The Household Organization Diet. A year long step-by-step plan to get things organized once and for all!

FIND THE PLAN HERE
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20 Items to Declutter from the Kitchen free printable.

Collection of items to Declutter in the Kitchen.

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Comments

  1. Ruth Meaney says

    February 15, 2016 at 11:23 am

    Great post! I find keeping the benches clear a really tricky thing, particularly with a toddler and a baby! I’ve pinned the post 🙂

    Reply
  2. Candace says

    February 15, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    I’m definitely going to use this to clean out my kitchen and throw out stuff. I love decluttering. It’s so hard to keep flat surfaces clean.

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      February 22, 2016 at 6:40 pm

      Yes, flat surfaces just scream to have something dumped on them! It’s so much more calming when they are decluttered though. 😉

      Reply
      • Mindy says

        April 2, 2016 at 4:27 pm

        Where did you get the awesome antique scale in your kitchen?

        Reply
        • Jenn Lifford says

          April 2, 2016 at 8:37 pm

          It’s from Decor Steals. It’s actually a clock. 😉

          Reply
  3. Stacey says

    February 16, 2016 at 1:20 am

    Your kitchen is beautiful! I love the white cabinets! I wish I was brave enough to paint our cabinets white.

    Reply
  4. jacky says

    February 16, 2016 at 2:03 am

    Hi, Love all your posts and the great ideas on getting organized… I know you posted earlier about the soap, lotion holder etc that is on your kitchen counter.. It is the wood and white one holding the 3 containers.. I love it and was wondering where you purchased it… Thanks so Much, Jacky

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      February 16, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Thanks! The holder is from Target {in the bath section}. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Shathiso Coyne says

    February 16, 2016 at 7:43 am

    Such a great post at the right time. I am moving along very nicely with February’s Kitchen Project! Jenn has now become a household name in my house! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Sacha says

    February 16, 2016 at 11:33 am

    There’s so much uncluttered space inside your kitchen Jenn. Absolutely lovely place to be and enjoy cooking! I like this list you created, but I love the mindset even more. I did some decluttering inside the kitchen several times, but I’ve never made an event out of it. When you said to start with a couple of boxes and timer, it really makes sense to me. I think I were missing on that initial trigger, so each of my intentions to declutter our kitchen ended as one-item session. Now I know how to do it properly the next time. Thanks for sharing these tips!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      February 16, 2016 at 8:30 pm

      Glad it was helpful! Happy decluttering and happy cooking! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Megan @ Prioritized Living says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    Jenn, awesome list of kitchen disorganization that we sometimes go blind to but that definitely does slow us down and make our space more cluttered! I recently attacked the refuse in my fridge and junk drawer, but your post has inspired me for my next task — purging the infrequently-used STUFF from my counters. (I DO dread cleaning the appliance-laden countertops.) P.S. I’m glad I’m not the only one who “takes a stroll down memory lane looking at all of your items!”

    Reply
  8. Emma @Emma Maid Service says

    February 22, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    Really very informative article. Even if my husband read it, I’m sure he will understand what he should get rid of. I agree with most people that house organization is a tough job, so sometimes a little help or advice is welcomed. Thanks for writing this detailed and so enlightening article!

    Reply
  9. Courtney@The Kitchen Garten says

    February 22, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Thank you for this post! Having a formula/plan to help declutter is so useful, and Spring Cleaning will soon be upon us!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      February 22, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      Can’t wait for spring! {even if it does mean spring cleaning!}

      Reply
  10. Jessica says

    February 23, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    This is good stuff! I’m LOVE to declutter and do it often. Now I’m inspired to do it today! have a good one

    Reply
  11. Karen Del Tatto says

    February 24, 2016 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks for these great tips! They are quite methodical and manageable. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Erin @ Nourishing My Scholar says

    February 27, 2016 at 4:18 am

    This is fantastic! I can already think of SEVERAL mixing bowls and wooden spoons I don’t need! ThisisHowWeRoll

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      February 27, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      Happy decluttering! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Susan says

    February 29, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    I’ve just finished my new year decluttering, but you’ve made me want to go back through the kitchen and see if I missed anything. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party on Organized 31.

    Reply
  14. Jacklyn Carney says

    February 29, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    This is just the article I needed, perfect!!
    I’m so glad that I read it to the end, thanx for this useful info!

    Have a beautiful day,
    Jackie Carney

    Reply
  15. Judy Biggerstaff says

    February 29, 2016 at 11:11 pm

    Great tips for all of us to follow. Beautiful kitchen, love your countertop and white cabinets. I’ve been remodeling my kitchen and wow is it a job.

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      March 1, 2016 at 9:35 pm

      Yes, it’s a lot of work but I am sure that it will be well worth it in the end! I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  16. Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says

    March 4, 2016 at 9:25 pm

    So funny. When I started reading I was like, “I don’t need this for my kitchen but bet I can use these tips in another room.” But now i’m like, “I can’t WAIT to declutter my kitchen!” Great post. Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      March 5, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      lol! It feels like there is ALWAYS something to declutter! Thanks for hosting!

      Reply
  17. Frugal Hausfrau says

    March 5, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    I have a few people I wish I could give this to, lol! Great tips! Remember, there’s usually no expiration date on food items, just a best if used by, so use your good judgement, there!

    Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday last week!

    Mollie

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    April 26, 2016 at 12:06 am

    Get rid of my Corning Ware? Never! The best microwave cooking items ever!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      April 26, 2016 at 3:53 am

      You definitely don’t need to get rid of anything that you use, so I’m not suggesting that you get rid of your beloved corning ware. 😉 I just know that we had a bunch of smaller pieces that we never used that we got rid of and many people have extras that they don’t really need. The list is just to serve as a starting point to go through and see what you love/use and what you don’t.

      Reply
  19. Sarah says

    May 7, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Jenn–Why get rid of Corning ware? I LOVE mine and have a huge collection of solid white and white with the cornflower blue design. I find unusual pieces at estate sales, and I use it all the time. The sizes range from a turkey roaster to two-cup petites. The white goes well with all my dishes, and nothing else is so versatile. The cornflower pieces are safe for the stovetop, the oven, the freezer, and especially the microwave. I don’t microwave food in plastic ever–the CW is perfect. If you have two pieces about the same size, you can set one inside the other and make a double boiler–something not often needed–so I save space. If you have a lot of mismatched pieces, I can see focusing on one design, but think before you automatically ditch it!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      May 9, 2016 at 7:14 am

      I would never suggest getting rid of anything that you use and love. The list is to be used as a starting point to go through your items to assess what you are using and what you aren’t. You may love your Corning Ware and the next person might never use it. Nothing on the list is meant to be an automatic giveaway – just food for thought! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Ian Rance says

    October 6, 2018 at 2:55 am

    I love your filter method of chucking stuff out – do I use it? – is it extra? – would I buy it today or does it make my life easier.

    As a terrible hoarder of things that I’ll probably never use, it is a excellent shortlist of how to declutter everything. My problem is after years of keeping something and never using it, as soon as I chuck it out I need the wretched thing. That happens so often it really isn’t funny anymore.

    I’ve made a short note for my next house move – it’ll save a packet on moving costs ha!

    Reply
  21. Pamela says

    February 6, 2021 at 9:27 am

    Do you mind me asking what your counters are made of? Love the backsplash too… thanks!

    Reply
    • Jenn Lifford says

      February 11, 2021 at 5:36 pm

      The counters are quartz and we love them. Pretty much indestructible and no maintenance! The backsplash is marble subway tile from Home Depot. 🙂

      Reply

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Put Your House on a Diet

The Home Organization Diet. Put your home on a diet for a clutter-free, happy, and healthy home!

Meet Jenn

Hi there! I'm Jenn, mommy to two busy {and very cute!} boys and wife to a very tolerant hubby. I love all things crafty and creative and have created this blog to share my ideas and favorite finds. I hope you enjoy your visit! Read More…

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