19 things you should throw away immediately

Tuesday 28 February 2017 17:53 GMT

(Vlad Ozerov/Shutterstock)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

There are few experiences more satisfying than throwing away junk you don't need.

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 19 things you should throw away.

Wire hangers

The cheap wire hangers your shirts are on when you get them back from the dry cleaners are bad for your clothes. They'll warp the fabric and sprinkle them with rust. Buy wooden, felt, or firm plastic hangers instead.

Here's where to find the best hangers for different kinds of clothes.

Worn out shoes

Are they broken? Throw them out. Still good but you haven't worn them in forever? Donate.

Donate old shoes at a local charity or an international one like Soles4Souls.

Empty alcohol bottles

You're not in college anymore, and those bottles of fancy bourbon are not a trophy collection, unless if you live in a frat house.

You can find a nearby recycling center at Recycle Finder.

Clothing you've never worn

Donate. Someone less fortunate than you could be wearing them. Same goes for children's clothing and Halloween costumes that can't be used as hand-me-downs.

You can find a local donation bin at Planet Aid.

Old toys

Toys can be expensive. If they're not broken but no one in your family will use them, donate them — whether it's to charity or relatives with young children.

If you're not sure where to donate them, look into DonationTown, a charity that accepts used toys.

Lonesome socks

I used to keep a basket of single socks with the missing pair on top of my washing machine, hoping each one's spouse would show up. It's better to just let them go.

Would you rather reuse them? Here are 62 other things you can do with mismatched socks.

Expired makeup

It will mess up your face. Toss 'em out. Same goes for unused makeup samples.

Here are 11 things you're probably doing wrong with your makeup.

Expired medication

No, you don't need those Motrin capsules "just in case." They expired in 2015.

And no, you probably shouldn't just toss them into the trash. Here's how to make sure you recycle medications safely.

Your toothbrush

You should be replacing your toothbrush every few months, once the bristles are frayed.

Or try a smart toothbrush.

Stuff in your fridge

You know very well what I'm talking about. You can't just leave it in there. Throw it in the trash. Use shopping bags as gloves if you have to.

Just a heads up, most expiration dates are wrong — here's how long your food will last.

Old grocery bags

... and also toss out the rest of your plastic shopping bag collection.

And maybe switch to tote bags from now on.

CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes

(melih2810/Shutterstock (melih2810/Shutterstock)

It's 2017. Rip them to a hard drive and save some space on your shelves.

You can also turn them into art!

Dish cleaning sponges

Your dish sponges are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Wash them often, and replace them every couple of weeks.

Confused how to wash a sponge? The only way to clean it is to use bleach.

Water filters

Water filter cartridges should be replaced every few months, depending on the model, or when you notice your water tastes funny.

You can also use them to make vodka taste better, for what it's worth.

Old business cards

No one will ever need your business card for a company you worked for five years ago, or for a position you previously held at your company.

And make sure to bring your new ones to Japan.

Old phone chargers

(JAROON MAGNUCH/Shutterstock (JAROON MAGNUCH/Shutterstock)

You'll never need to charge your 2004 Motorola Razr. We live in the smartphone era now.

If you need a portable charger, here's what we recommend.

Old magazines

So yes, maybe Rivka Galchen's profile of theoretical physicist David Deutsch has lasting literary value, but it's not the kind of value that accrues by sitting on your coffee table for three years.

Old magazines can also be used for DIY projects.

Old socks and underwear

If they have more holes than they should have, toss them our and buy new ones.

We recommend Nice Laundry socks.

Old bills and receipts

If anything is actually important, scan it or take a photo and keep it in an organized folder on your computer.

You can scan receipts with your phone on Google Drive.