If there’s one room in my home that I keep cleaning and cleaning, it’s my kitchen. While there are always some crumbs to clean or chipped glassware to get rid of, there are certain things I just can’t let go (despite my desire to get rid of even sentimental items). I thought professional organizers might have some insight into this mentality, but instead I discovered that they too have a handful of kitchen items they refuse to throw away.
While deciding what to clean in the kitchen can vary based on individual needs and preferences, the best rule of thumb to follow is to determine the purpose of the item and how it fits into your life.
“Sprinkling doesn’t necessarily mean throwing everything away; Items that are still in good condition can be donated, repurposed or given to someone who can put them to better use,” says Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space.
If you’re planning to spring clean and declutter your kitchen soon, professional organizers say there may be a few things you should consider getting rid of.
Reusable cleaning products
The cost of cleaning products can add up faster than you might imagine, so Kaylie Hill, Scotch-Brite brand ambassador and professional organizer, recommends keeping your reusable cleaning products as long as they work. This can include things like glass spray bottles and microfiber cloths.
“Reusable cleaning products are something I always keep when it comes to cleaning my kitchen, like my favorite Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Sponge Cloth, which lasts more than 20 paper towel rolls and works on multiple surfaces,” she says.
Heirlooms and sentimental items
For Duckworth and Heather Aiello, CEO and founder of The Organized You, items with sentimental value, such as family heirlooms or gifts, could be worth keeping even if they aren’t used every day.
Aiello says displaying pieces like a treasured set of vintage cookware, a hand mixer, or a favorite cast iron pan can add a personal touch to your kitchen despite their condition.
Plus, Duckworth says they’re sustainable and save you money. “These items not only have emotional value, but can foster a sense of connection to family traditions and memories,” she says. “They also save space and offer practicality and durability.”
In your kitchen, Mason jars are ideal for storing food and liquids in an airtight container. And while decorating with these may be an outdated practice, Hill says they have endless uses and offer plenty of versatility anywhere in your home.
“Even if you don’t have a use for Mason jars in your kitchen, they can serve a great purpose in other areas of your home,” she says. “For example, you can use Mason jars in your bathroom to hold cotton balls or a toothbrush. If you have children, they are great for storing marbles and other small toys. I can keep screws, nails and screws in your garage.”
Old dishes and containers
If you’re the crafty, DIY type, both Aiello and James Lott Jr., life coach and founder of The Super Organizer, suggest repurposing and repurposing these items to give them new life.
“I had a client who had a bunch of baking dishes and stopped using them in favor of newer dishes. We turned one into a herb garden and put the other in the fridge as a tray for her cheeses,” says Lott. “You can always be creative with many ways to use it.”
While these types of old containers can serve multiple purposes, Aiello says it’s important to consider several factors such as damage, duplicate items and lack of storage space to determine whether you can keep an item, throw it away or donate it.
High-quality dishes, accessories and appliances
Both Duckworth and Aiello recommend keeping your versatile and high-quality cookware, such as a sturdy mixing bowl that doubles as a serving dish, rather than buying a replacement. If you use these items often and they aren’t damaged to the point of being unusable, they say it’s best to keep them.
“High-quality cookware or specialty kitchen gadgets that you really use and appreciate are worth keeping, like a well-made chef’s knife or a unique kitchen tool like a lid and ladle stand,” says Aiello. “Investing in quality can improve your cooking experience and make certain tasks more enjoyable.”