7 Things Professional Organizers Would Never, Ever Keep in Their Kitchens .
You know that nagging feeling when you open your kitchen cabinets and something just feels… heavy?
It’s not that your kitchen is dirty. You wipe the counters. You scrub the sink. But still, every time you walk in, there’s a low hum of clutter that makes your shoulders tense up.
I used to think the answer was more storage. If I just had prettier bins, a bigger pantry, or those magical pull‑out drawers I saw on Pinterest, everything would fall into place.
Then I hired a professional organizer for a one‑time consultation. She walked into my kitchen, opened exactly three cabinets, and said five words that changed everything:
“You’re keeping too many wrong things.”
It turns out, professional organizers have a secret list of items they would never, ever keep in their own kitchens. Not because they’re snobs. Because they’ve seen these items sabotage hundreds of beautifully organized spaces.
Here are the top seven offenders — and what to keep instead.
1. Expired Spices (Especially the Ones You Bought for One Recipe in 2019)
Spices don’t last forever. That jar of ground cumin from three apartments ago? It’s lost its flavor, and it’s hogging valuable real estate in your cabinet.
What pros do: Keep only the spices you use at least once a month. Store them in a single layer in a shallow drawer or on a tiered shelf so you can see every label. Toss anything that’s been open longer than two years.
2. Chipped Mugs and Mismatched Plastic Cups
I held onto a chipped “World’s Best Mom” mug for a decade. I’m not a mom — it was a gag gift. It sat in my cabinet, taking up space, making me feel vaguely guilty every time I reached past it.
What pros do: Keep a set number of mugs and glasses (enough for your family plus two guests). If one chips, it goes. If you haven’t used it in six months, donate it.
3. Single‑Use Gadgets That Only Do One Thing (Badly)
That avocado slicer. The strawberry huller. The egg separator that looks like a creepy clown face. Professional organizers call these “unitaskers” — and they despise them.
What pros do: Before buying any gadget, ask: Can a knife do this job? If the answer is yes, skip it. The only unitaskers pros tolerate are fire extinguishers and can openers — and the can opener better be sturdy.
4. The “Someday” Pile of Plastic Containers
You know the drawer. The one that explodes with mismatched lids, containers with no partners, and that one Tupperware stained orange from last year’s chili. You keep them because… someday you might find the missing lid?
What pros do: Purge all plastic containers without matching lids (or vice versa). Then keep a maximum of 10‑12 containers in varying sizes. Anything beyond that is clutter.
5. Old Cookbooks You Never Open
Sentimental cookbooks are one thing — your grandmother’s handwritten recipe book deserves a spot. But the novelty “50 Ways to Cook Bacon” book you bought on clearance in 2018? Gone.
What pros do: Keep only the cookbooks you reference regularly. For the rest, take a photo of the one or two recipes you actually like, then donate the book.
6. Extra Kitchen Towels and Dishcloths (More Than You Can Use in a Week)
Somewhere along the way, we were convinced that owning 27 dish towels was the mark of a prepared adult. In reality, you wash them weekly and cycle through the same four.
What pros do: Keep enough towels to last between laundry days — for most people, that’s 5‑7. Fold them neatly and store them vertically so you can grab one without disturbing the pile.
7. Anything Broken You Swore You’d Fix “Soon”
The toaster that only toasts one side. The blender that makes a grinding noise. The drawer handle that’s been sitting in the junk drawer for four months.
What pros do: If you haven’t fixed it in two weeks, you’re not going to. Either take it to a repair shop this Saturday, or let it go. You’ll feel lighter the moment it’s gone.
What to Do With the Stuff You’re Tossing
- Usable but unwanted items: Donate to a local thrift store or shelter.
- Expired spices and food: Dump the contents and recycle the containers if possible.
- Old towels and linens: Animal shelters often accept them for bedding.
Want a Quick‑Start Declutter Guide?
I put together a simple Kitchen Declutter Starter Kit — a one‑page checklist of everything to toss, plus the three storage tools pros actually recommend (not the expensive bins, the real stuff). It’s free.
Drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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