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Apartment Therapy published a decluttering checklist for people who have lived in their homes for a decade or longer. The list covers nine kinds of accumulated belongings, with suggestions to donate, recycle, sell or discard items when they are no longer useful.
Apartment Therapy has published a nine-item decluttering checklist for people who have lived in their homes for a decade or longer, pointing readers toward belongings such as unused decor, old paperwork and obsolete charging cables. The service article frames the list as a way to make more room by selling, donating, recycling or discarding things residents no longer use.
The checklist was written by Barbara Bellesi Zito, who describes moving into a home with more storage and gradually filling closets, corners and cabinets. Her account is personal; the article does not report survey findings or measure how commonly households keep these items. It presents the categories as suggestions for readers to assess in their own homes.
The nine categories are unused home decor, perfumes, food storage containers, old paperwork, costumes and uniforms, untouched hobby and craft supplies, charging cables, children’s clothing, toys and gear, and items still in their original packaging. The article suggests donation or resale for usable decor, costumes and craft supplies; electronics recycling for unwanted cords; and shredding for paperwork that is no longer needed.
Some items call for a closer check before clearing them out. The article says opened perfumes often last three to five years, while some higher-end fragrances may last longer, and suggests keeping a perfume only if it still smells pleasant and does not irritate the skin. It also distinguishes durable food containers from warped or stained pieces, and says important records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and home deeds should be retained.
Making Space From Long-Stored Items
The list addresses a practical consequence of long-term home storage: belongings can remain in closets and cabinets after their owners have stopped using them. Reviewing the categories may help households identify things that can be put to use by someone else, recycled through an appropriate program or removed from storage.
The suggestions are not a universal rule that everything older than a decade should go. The article makes room for seasonal decorations people enjoy, useful keepsakes and essential records. Its core point is to decide item by item whether something is still serving a purpose, and to choose a suitable destination for it.
A Personal Checklist for Homeowners
The article grows out of the writer’s reflection on approaching a decade in her own home. She says extra storage initially felt like a relief, but that closets and cabinets filled over time, including with items left in out-of-the-way corners. She also acknowledges that sentimental attachments and the thought that an item might be useful someday can make decluttering difficult.
Apartment Therapy presents the piece as lifestyle guidance rather than a formal assessment of household clutter. Its recommendations depend on the condition and purpose of each belonging. For example, sturdy food containers may remain useful with proper care, while damaged pieces and unmatched lids may be candidates for replacement or repurposing.
““I’m pretty sure that some of the things in the far corner of our coat closet have been there since we moved in.””
— Barbara Bellesi Zito, Apartment Therapy writer
Decisions Depend on Each Item
The checklist does not establish that every item in these categories should be removed, nor does it offer a full inventory of exceptions. The right choice depends on condition, ongoing use, sentimental value and whether an item can be safely or appropriately donated or recycled. The source excerpt also ends partway through its discussion of items in original packaging, so the full advice for that category is not available here.
The article cites the general guidance that tax returns can often be discarded after three years, but readers’ recordkeeping needs can vary with their circumstances. The source does not give a complete document-retention guide. It advises keeping key records, including deeds and identity or family documents, and suggests shredding outdated paperwork rather than putting it directly in the trash.
Sort, Donate and Recycle
The article recommends reviewing the nine categories and sorting belongings according to their condition and likely use. Readers can donate or sell usable decor, costumes and craft materials; consider repurposing unmatched containers; and take obsolete charging cables to an electronics recycling center or a retailer with a recycling program.
For residents who want to act on the checklist, the next step is to check local donation and recycling options and set aside important documents before shredding. The source provides no scheduled follow-up or reporting milestone; its advice is an open-ended household task readers can take up at their own pace.
Key Questions
What nine categories does Apartment Therapy suggest reviewing?
The list includes unused decor, perfumes, food containers, old paperwork, costumes and uniforms, hobby and craft supplies, charging cables, children’s items, and unopened belongings in original packaging.
Does the article say to discard everything that is ten years old?
No. It recommends reviewing belongings after a decade in a home, while recognizing that some items remain useful or meaningful. Seasonal decor, essential records and durable containers may still have a purpose.
How long does opened perfume usually last?
The article says most perfumes last three to five years once opened, though some higher-end fragrances may last longer. It advises considering whether the scent remains pleasant and whether it irritates the skin.
What should homeowners do with old charging cables?
Apartment Therapy recommends taking unwanted cords and cables to an electronics recycling center or a retailer that accepts them for recycling. Some retailers may also offer trade-in programs.
Which papers does the article say to keep?
It identifies birth certificates, marriage licenses and home deeds as examples of important documents to retain. It suggests shredding outdated paperwork, while noting that tax returns can often be discarded after three years in many situations.
Source: rss
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