Almost everyone has a drawer, closet, or garage filled with items they swear they’ll use “someday.” The problem is that “someday” rarely arrives. Instead, these items pile up, collecting dust and taking valuable space in our homes. Psychologists say this habit is rooted in fear of waste or the belief that an item might come in handy during a future emergency. But more often than not, these “just in case” items never see the light of day again.
1. Expired Canned Goods
Canned food is a common hoarding item because it feels practical and safe to store. Many people stockpile soups, beans, and vegetables “just in case” of an emergency. The problem is that most of these cans expire long before they’re ever used. Opening a pantry often reveals dusty cans past their prime, destined for the trash. It’s one of the clearest examples of how “just in case” thinking leads to clutter instead of preparedness.
2. Old Electronics and Cables
That drawer full of tangled wires, chargers, and outdated gadgets? Most households have one. People keep them because they might need the cable “someday,” even though the devices they belong to are long gone. Old cell phones, VCRs, and obsolete remotes sit unused for years. By the time someone tries to use them, the technology is outdated or incompatible. Electronics hoarding is one of the most frustrating clutter habits to break.
3. Free Promotional Items
Tote bags, water bottles, and pens from events or promotions are some of the biggest culprits of unused clutter. People hold onto these freebies because they’re “free,” but that doesn’t mean they’re useful. Many sit unused in closets, junk drawers, or the trunk of a car. Ironically, people often reach for their preferred items instead of these throwaways. Freebies tend to create clutter that feels too cheap to throw away but never actually gets used.
4. Excess Cleaning Supplies
It’s common to stockpile cleaning products out of fear of running out. But many of those extra sprays, sponges, and specialty cleaners stay unopened for months, even years. Some even expire before being used, especially niche products meant for rare cleaning tasks. This kind of hoarding not only clutters cabinets but also wastes money. A few reliable products usually do the job better than dozens of unused bottles.
5. Craft and DIY Supplies
Many people love the idea of starting a craft or DIY project, but fewer actually follow through. Boxes of fabric, yarn, paint, or tools often sit untouched in closets. People justify keeping them by saying they’ll eventually get around to creating something. In reality, the supplies collect dust while other hobbies take priority. Craft hoarding is one of the most common forms of “aspirational clutter.”
6. Travel-Sized Toiletries
Hotel shampoo bottles and mini soaps often end up stashed away in bathrooms. People keep them for future trips, guests, or emergencies, but they rarely get used. Over time, the bottles pile up, creating clutter in drawers and cabinets. Many of them eventually dry out or lose their scent. This small-scale hoarding habit may seem harmless, but it adds unnecessary mess over time.
7. “Skinny Clothes” That No Longer Fit
Closets across the country are filled with clothes that people hope to wear again “someday.” Whether it’s jeans from high school or a dress from ten years ago, these items rarely return to rotation. While keeping a few sentimental pieces makes sense, hanging onto entire wardrobes of unused clothing doesn’t. They take up valuable closet space and create guilt rather than motivation. Clothing hoarding is often tied to unrealistic expectations instead of practical needs.
8. Old Paperwork and Mail
Stacks of old bills, magazines, and random paperwork clutter desks and filing cabinets. People often keep them “just in case” they need to reference something later. In reality, most of this information is available online or has already expired in relevance. This paper clutter not only takes up space but also creates stress when it piles up. Sorting through and shredding what’s unnecessary can bring instant relief.
9. Extra Kitchen Gadgets
From bread makers to fondue pots, kitchens are full of gadgets that sounded useful at the time of purchase. Many of these appliances get used once or twice before being shoved to the back of a cabinet. People keep them because they were expensive or “might be fun again,” but they rarely come back out. Instead, they take up space while everyday essentials do the real work. Kitchen gadget hoarding is one of the most common and costly examples of unused clutter.
When “Just in Case” Turns Into Just Clutter
Hoarding small items may not seem like a big deal, but over time, it adds up to serious clutter and wasted space. From canned food and electronics to clothes and toiletries, many of these items never serve their intended purpose. Breaking the cycle means being honest about what you truly use versus what you keep out of guilt or habit. Letting go of “just in case” clutter creates room for the things that really matter. Sometimes, the best use of space is simply having less stuff.
Do you recognize any of these “just in case” items in your own home? Share your experience in the comments!
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