25 things in the kitchen that you should throw away NOW | Architectural Digest Search Menu Story Saved Close Facebook Twitter Pinterest Facebook Twitter Pinterest Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram YouTube LargeChevron

Interior designAre you ready to purge everything that gets in your way? This guide will teach you the things to throw out of the kitchen to make it a spotless space.

By Mariana Ruiz

The kitchen is one of the most important and special areas of the home. Beyond being the place where food is prepared and consumed, it is in this space that - thanks to its concurrence - family coexistence is taken advantage of.

For this reason, the kitchen is considered the heart of the house, so it is essential to maintain its spacious and pristine essence. However, it is normal that, with the passage of time, among its drawers, the refrigerator and the cupboard, objects are kept that, most likely, should have vacated this area a long time ago. And if philosophies and new methods about order and organization have taught us anything, it is that the accumulation of articles not only impacts the aesthetics of the residence, it also influences the flow of energy, the functioning and the well-being itself.

So once you start debugging everything you don't need from your bedroom or any other room in your house, why not continue with the kitchen? This article will be your guide when it comes to cleaning this area, as we share with you a list of 25 things that you should throw out of the kitchen now.

Tupperware old or without lid

Tupperware is an essential item on kitchen shelves. Not only is food transported and stored in them, they are also an excellent option for establishing an organization and storage system. However, progressively, these containers — like any other object — wear out or their lids mysteriously disappear. Whatever the case, it's time to accept that no matter how hard you look, you probably won't find them again, and no matter how much you carve or amend, they won't return to their original state.

disposable food containers

Although it is possible to contribute to mitigating climate change from the home — changing daily and not very ecological habits — excessive storage of yogurt or cream containers to reuse them “at some point” will not stop them from being polluting. Like anything, everything in excess is bad. If these types of containers take up more space than they should, it's time to get rid of them.

freezer containers

When cooking, many times you overprepare, and to avoid waste or food spoilage, leftovers are usually kept in a container and go to the freezer. Over time, some of them are forgotten and go months without being touched. For this reason, we recommend you check one by one and throw away those that you do not even remember what it is or when you stored it.

Old pots and pans

Pans are an elementary tool in gastronomy. Although a good frying pan promises to last for years of use, periodically check the status of each of them. Some may be chipped, dented, scratched, missing the handle, or the Teflon is deteriorated. So for the sake of order and for your health, throw away those that look in poor condition.

Inspect your cutlery

The cutlery drawer usually consists of a set for four people, each with only five pieces of cutlery. If when you open yours you find forks, spoons and knives of another design or plastic, do not keep them. Keep only your cutlery set.

Old or repeated utensils

Spoons, ladles, shovels and turners... All of them are widely used when cooking. However, this does not mean that you should have more than one — two, at most — of each type; it will take away storage space that can be used for other things. Also, check your status. If they are found burned, melted, broken, slightly or completely rusted, let them go. A new spatula or whisk will do the job much better.

chopping boards

Whether made of wood or plastic, for sweet or savory things, chopping boards have a useful life and an acceptable number of copies. When you notice that its surface is very worn — with multiple cuts and stains that are no longer removed when washed —, renew it and throw it away; do not accumulate Not only for aesthetics, but also for the state of the food you place on them and, consequently, for your health. Specifically, wooden boards, which tend to be porous, splinter and retain moisture easily. Bacteria, such as listeria and salmonella, can harbor here.

Knives

Generally, dull knives can easily be sharpened again, but those that don't become useless tools. Although, in some cases, these can be used to perform other types of tasks around the house, the ideal would be to get rid of them. Have control over those models that lost their edge, to immediately throw them away and replace them.

Appliances you don't use

It doesn't matter if it was a gift, a compulsive purchase or something that has been broken for a long time, because you have postponed going to repair it. If you have appliances that you haven't used in a year, put them in your box and donate or sell them. While you enjoy the extra space, someone else can take advantage of that device that only collected dust in your kitchen.

incomplete tableware

As an element that enriches the decoration of the home, incomplete tableware will not only disadvantage the general aesthetic, it also loses practicality. Instead of storing the incomplete set, sell or donate it and replace it with a new one.

Broken or rusty drains

The strainers — regardless of whether they are made of plastic or metal — are another element that loses quality with use. Plastic ones lose their shape and are difficult to use, while metal ones break or rust and, by coming into direct contact with food, can transmit bacteria to food. Do not expose your well-being and do not fight with them, if their useful life has ended, it is time to say goodbye.

commemorative mugs

One of the objects that are commonly given or purchased to commemorate an event or a trip are mugs. Although they are a detail that will surely bring back nice memories when looking at them, they only take up space that can be used for something else. The elements of a complete crockery end with the cups. So don't keep more than you need.

Chipped cups and bowls

Getting rid of your favorite bowl or cup will be a hassle, but if it's chipped, say goodbye. The chipped area can cut your lips or your fingers. Also, if they are old, the paint may contain lead, which can mix with your food and cause serious and irreversible damage to your health.

Cookbooks and recipes

Magazines, books, clippings or notes. Recipes are great if you love experimenting in the kitchen and trying new things. However, among this collection, you can find some dishes that you have not made for years, that you did not like or that simply do not fit your lifestyle. For this reason, collect those that are loose in a single folder and donate those books or magazines that you do not use.

Sponge

Moisture and germs, both from food and from the cook, make this area of ​​the home harbor many microbes. Mainly, sponges — due to their porous nature and their ability to absorb water and nutrients — are one of the main stores of bacteria throughout the house. So it is essential to change it from time to time. The recommendation is every one or two weeks.

condiment sachets

When food is ordered at home, the order usually includes packets of condiments, which are accumulated and stored in a drawer or container. If you know that at no time are you going to use them, make a habit of discarding them immediately. If you have any lost packages lying around your kitchen, throw them out, especially those that look discolored or sticky, as their contents may be expired.

Old rags and mittens

Check the drawer where you keep your dish towels and oven mitts. Generally, the oldest cloths are located at the bottom, those with holes and stains that could never be removed. In addition to looking dirty, with use they lose their absorbent properties. Since they have lost their usefulness, it is time to discard them. Likewise, check the condition of the mittens. Do these have many burns or are they worn? Say goodbye.

pastry accessories

Pastry is the art of preparing and/or decorating cakes or other desserts; There are endless tools and decorations that allow you to experiment and test your creativity. Therefore, it is easy to store accessories and ingredients, which are later forgotten. Items such as cupcake holders, cookie molds, pastry bags, among other objects, are some of the tools that will only get in your way if you don't have time to bake.

expired spices

Gastronomy allows the cook to experiment with a wide variety of flavors. Spices are one of the ingredients that give life to any dish, so there should be a reserved space in the kitchen to store them. Also, it should be checked constantly. Throw away those that you will never use and check the expiration of those that will be part of your collection. To know if a spice is expired, just smell it. Those whose aroma is imperceptible or give off a rancid smell, discard them.

pantry food

Although the food that is usually stored in the cupboard is long-lasting, it is important to keep in mind what is stored in this space and when it was purchased. Check the expiration dates of olive oil, tuna, mayonnaise and other condiments constantly and purge those that have already gone bad.

trays

How many of them do you have? Trays are very useful for draining food that has just been washed, placing chopped things or serving cheeses and charcuterie. Despite this — and like the chopping boards — you don't need to have more than three (at most). Throw away those that are old and worn.

Cleaning products

Check the amount of content of each item and do not accumulate an excessive amount of scouring pads, sponges and cloths. Instead, keep track of what you need and purge those containers that are practically empty.

accumulated miscellaneous

Among the drawers found in the kitchen, there is surely one where light bulbs, matches, batteries and even a couple of lost screws are thrown away. Finding matches in the kitchen is justifiable, but the other miscellaneous has no place in this area of ​​the house. Check what works and what does not and keep what you are going to keep in the place where it should be.

glass jars

Whether reused or purchased, glass jars are excellent containers when it comes to storing homemade jams, sauces, or any other liquid food. Before putting anything in, check its state. Do you have glue from the label? Is the lid rusty inside? Is the edge chipped? Get rid of them and keep only those that **are in better condition and whose size is more convenient.**

tablecloths in poor condition

In addition to protecting the dining room, tablecloths give a special touch to the table at mealtime. Food is an activity that involves the five senses, so sitting down and looking at an aesthetic arrangement of tableware and tablecloth enhances the experience. So there is no point in keeping a stained, worn or torn tablecloth that would negatively impact the taste of the food.

The kitchen is a space that should positively activate the five senses. Due to its nature and the activities carried out in it, its organization and decoration must promote a clean and welcoming space. For this reason, it is important that, in each square centimeter, only the essentials are kept.