No one loves a January refresh more than a professional organizer. The start of a new year is the perfect time to go through one’s home in search of items that are no longer useful or are expired, broken, and the like. If you’ve been wondering what types of things experts are removing from their own houses this time of year, keep reading—Southern organizers share everything that they plan to toss this month and why.
Unwanted Skincare
Take some time to go through your collection of skincare and bath products and part ways with anything you don’t see yourself using.
“Immediately donate the items you don’t want (without guilt!),” suggests Emily Evans, the founder of Eliminate with Emily in Lexington, Kentucky, who notes that many people receive personal care products as gifts during the holiday season.
Once you part ways with any unwanted presents, Evans suggests going through your bathroom cabinets as well.
“Toss any cosmetic or skincare item more than a couple years old or that you simply don’t like or use,” she says.
Go through items that are seasonal as well.
“Toss out your expired and mostly used bottles of sunscreen,” encourages Christina Bond, the Washington, D.C.-based founder of Creating Space DC.
Paperwork
Don’t let that outrageous pile of bills and documents carry over into the new year.
“Go through paperwork and toss old receipts and outdated documents,” Evans instructs. “You can then create new files like ‘2025 Taxes’ and ‘2025 Health Insurance,’ so incoming documents have a place to go.”
Holiday Food Items
Say goodbye to seasonal food items and storage containers that you won’t be reaching for anytime soon.
“I’m quick to toss candy canes, gingerbread houses, and chocolate bars in pantries leftover from Christmas,” Evans says. She adds that now is also an excellent time to get rid of empty cookie tins or excess Tupperware that you may have accumulated during the holiday season.
School Supplies
Susie Salinas, the founder of Systems by Susie in Annapolis, Maryland, notes the importance of doing a January school backpack clean out.
“Mid-school year is the perfect time to take everything out and go through all of the papers and books,” she says. “We save any special keepsakes and toss the rest.”
Holiday Cards
Wondering whether you should hold onto the holiday cards you’ve received into the new year?
“Please know you are never under any obligation to keep those,” says Jaime Hecht, the founder of Aunt Jaime Organizes in Washington, D.C. “If something is truly special, keep it—but the holiday photo cards, they are okay to recycle.”
There are still ways to commemorate these cards if you wish to do so. Salinas likes to take a picture of each card she received and update each individual’s contact photo on her phone.
Old Decorations
As you’re putting away your holiday decor, think about what you really see yourself using again next year.
“If I didn’t use them this Christmas, chances are I won’t next,” Hecht says with regard to deciding what to hold onto.
Unwanted Gifts
Received a present you didn’t love? You have permission to donate it in order to keep your space functional.
“If I kept everything that was gifted to me just because it was a gift, my home would no longer be controlled by me, it would be controlled by guilt,” says Kayleen Kelly, the founder of Clear the Clutter; Clear the Mind, which operates in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as in Colorado. “I enjoy a clutter-free home too much to let that happen!”
