By Rory Carter Entertainment 30.03.2026

This Kitchen Decluttering Checklist Will Instantly Reset and Detox Your Space

Consider this your step-by-step edit of everything in your kitchen that’s overstayed its welcome.

For many people, the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. But without regular stocktake, it can quickly become filled with leftover food, cracked dishes, or drawers overflowing with the bits and pieces you have no other home for.

Does this sound familiar? If your kitchen’s currently in need of a good seasonal detox, our six-step process will have it sparkling in no time. And when it comes to minimizing clutter and creating some sense of organization in this room, we’ve made a list of all the common items that need to be thrown out, ASAP.

Broken appliances

I've been guilty of hoarding appliances at the back of the cupboard instead of simply getting rid of them for good. If you're also holding on to a toaster or blender that's seen better days, it’s time to thank them for their service and part ways.

Knick-knacks

We're all for styling in the kitchen, but glass vases and dainty ceramic pieces don't necessarily belong on the counters. Imagine: you’re midway through preparing your nightly dinner and accidentally knock a beloved treasure with a rogue tin of tomatoes. If you’ve got open shelves, try placing knick-knacks up high to admire from a safe distance.

Expired foods

This one might sound obvious, but I bet you could go to your fridge right now and find something that’s past its use-by date. Some foods don’t stay fresh for very long, and can be lurking in the back of shelves or silently inside the door, so do a thorough check of anything that you wouldn't dare eat and throw away immediately.

Multiple fruit bowls

Fruit bowls are a great way to remind yourself to pick up a healthy apple or banana as a snack, but fruit can quickly turn bad and attract dreaded fruit flies and other little critters inside. Instead of putting out multiples that you might forget about during the week, keep your fruit bowl somewhere you'll remember to a) use and b) replace as soon as things go pear-shaped.

Chemical cleaners

If you can, switching to natural or non-toxic cleaning products with natural ingredients is ideal to keep your home safe from harsh chemicals. If you do happen to have bleach or other cleaners on hand, the kitchen isn't the best place for them. Food and chemicals don't mix, so find another place in your laundry or garage for these, storing them well away from the kitchen.

Used sponges

How long has it been since you changed your sponge? If you have to think about it, it’s probably been too long. If you start to think about the grease and food residue that it encounters on a daily basis before being left to dry, you'll want to bin it immediately. Get in the habit of regularly switching out cloths and sponges to make sure you're not just spreading germs from plate to plate.

Dirty tea towels

The same goes for that tea towel hanging over the oven. While we don't usually use tea towels for scrubbing, they tend to end up with food and water throughout the week. Throw your tea towel in the wash the next time you put on a load to avoid it becoming damp and musty.

Scratched pans

The glossy coating that keeps your food from sticking to your pans can eventually deteriorate and scratch over time. At this point, the pan is no longer doing what you bought it for, so it's time to invest in a new one that will make cooking a smooth and enjoyable process (with less cleaning).

Mismatched containers

Just like pairs of socks, kitchen containers can mysteriously become separated from their lids. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to create a system where they’re paired up in the drawer after washing (toss any whose lids are nowhere to be seen).

Opened jars

Sometimes you only need half a jar of pesto sauce or a dash of spice mix for your meal and you store the rest in the fridge. That's totally fine for a couple of days, but if it's been a couple of weeks since you opened the jar or tin then it's most likely not very fresh anymore. Instead, get in the habit of transferring the contents into a reusable container that will seal the freshness.

Shopping bag collection

Okay, we know that everyone’s guilty of this one. You make your way to the grocery store and head to checkout before realising you forgot to pack your reusable bag. Then when you get home, you need to add the bag you just bought to your collection that's already bursting out of the cupboard. If you've got more bags than days in the week, cull them down and start leaving some in your car or handbag so that you'll never have to buy one again.