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Here’s What You Should Never Declutter, According to the Pros

Seven takeaways:

Real Simple spoke to three organizing pros about what you should always declutter, versus those you should be intentional about keeping.

1. Papers & Documents:
   • Always Declutter: Manuals for appliances and electronics should be decluttered as they are readily available online.
   • Never Declutter: Keep important documents like birth certificates, social security cards, and legal documents, filing them away for safekeeping. Consider keeping them in a small fireproof safe.
2. Kitchen Supplies:
   • Always Declutter: That weirdly-shaped wine glass you never use? That can go. Discard or donate unused kitchen gadgets and duplicate items.
   • Never Declutter: Hold onto any item that is used regularly, as well as some of the seasonal items, like turkey basters.
3. Household Paper Products:
   • Never Declutter: Non-perishable items like toilet paper and paper towels do not need to be decluttered, even if bought in excess. They can be stored effectively.
4. Sentimental Items:
   • Always Declutter: Is the area under your bathroom sink a complete disaster? Dispose of tiny hotel toiletries and samples that are so rarely used. Remember, they have expiration dates!
   • Never Declutter: Keep half-full bottles of regularly used toiletries and products. You never know when you will run out of your current shampoo or get the urge to switch back to previous routines.
5. Toiletries:
   • Always Declutter: Is the area under your bathroom sink a complete disaster? Dispose of tiny hotel toiletries and samples that are so rarely used. Remember, they have expiration dates!
   • Never Declutter: Keep half-full bottles of regularly used toiletries and products. You never know when you will run out of your current shampoo or get the urge to switch back to previous routines.
6. Duplicates of Useful Tools:
   • Never Declutter: There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find the scissors or measuring tape. Maintain duplicates of items like these in different areas of your home for convenience- and save yourself that hated “now where did I put the __?” frustration.
7. Clothing:
   • Always Declutter: Donate clothing that no longer fits or hasn’t been worn in a year. Give stained or damaged clothes to a textile recycling company or organization so they don’t end up in a landfill.
   • Never Declutter: Keep well-made, classic pieces like a quality trench coat or loafers, as they are likely to be useful in the future. You never know what might come back into style, so keep quality pieces of clothing around.

By Amanda Lauren for Real Simple
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