Clutter happens to be something I now consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur in. Being a household advice writer, I have written and researched many a decluttering method, posing theories and solutions on the topic endlessly. And one thing always seems to crop up; a lot of us don’t realise quite how many multiples of the exact same thing we own.
A lot of clutter is built up of duplicates. Items which on their own don’t necessarily seem like a waste of space, but when you pool them together with other similar items- you realize how many objects you’ve been harbouring unnecessarily. Whether it’s from sheer forgetfulness, or a compulsion to shop, we all end up with far too many duplicate items- so it’s time to address them.
‘When you have too many of the same item, it actually makes your kitchen harder to use, because you’re constantly moving things around to get to what you need. Cupboards become fuller much faster, creating the feeling of clutter, even if the items themselves are useful.’ That’s according to Jo Jacob, professional organiser behind Benella Home Organisation– she’s one of the pros I’ve enlisted to help us figure out which items in our kitchens (an area which could always use a declutter) are most susceptible to doubles. Here are the items in your kitchen that professional organisers say you have too many of, aka: the duplicates you need to get rid of now.
Mugs
When I began compiling this list, honestly, this was the item I had in mind- and it seems the pros couldn’t agree with me more. ‘Mugs are probably the most surprising in terms of excess. I’ve worked in kitchens with 30 or 40 mugs, when realistically a household might only need 8 to 12 in regular rotation,’ Jo recalls from her experience organising her clients’ kitchens. I mean really, when are you ever gonna need that many mugs.
‘They build up through gifts, souvenirs and promotions, and because they’re all slightly different, people tend to keep them all rather than choosing their favourites,’ says Jo, but no more. You can keep complete sets (no partials) and force everyone in the household to pick their favourite mug-if you don’t think you have one- you definitely do. Donate the rest to charity shops so they can actually go to some use, rather than gathering dust in the back of your cupboard.
Water bottles
Big, bulky, plastic- these are prime space wasters. ‘Water bottles and travel mugs are a category that quickly gets out of hand, particularly in busy households, where everyone has their favourite but older ones never quite get let go of,’ says Jo. Again, select one water bottle for each member in the house, and get rid or donate the rest.
Blenders
According to Emma, professional organiser and founder of Home Nip and Tuck, there is one kitchen appliance that fits the duplicate clutter category more than any other- and I couldn’t agree more. ‘I also often see several versions of the same appliance, such as a blender, hand blender and smoothie maker all doing very similar jobs.’
I recently discovered this to be oh-so true in my own kitchen. Uncovering four different appliances that all promise to blend and or chop. As no surprise to anyone, I only actually use one of them. The rest were advertised on Vinted very soon after the discovery and I have been delighting in my newly freed up kitchen counter space ever since.
Plastic bags
‘Reusable shopping bags also tend to build up in kitchens, often stuffed into one drawer or cupboard, because people keep bringing more in but rarely edit them down,’ suggests Jo. They easily accumulate as we often feel guilty for getting them in the first place and therefore hold onto them to ensure they are not wasteful- spoiler alert; they’re still wasteful if they’re just sitting in your cupboard.
Instead put one in each handbag, that way your collection will be culled and next time you do some impromptu shopping, you’ll be prepared and there will be no need to add to your collection. As for the rest, many large supermarkets have specialised plastic film collection points for you to recycle them.
Cheese graters
Now when Jo mentioned this one, it was immediately familiar as a creeping sense of guilt over my own grater collection crept up. ‘Cheese graters are a classic. I’ve seen kitchens with four or five, all slightly different, but realistically one good quality grater does the job perfectly well.’ Remember, for most kitchen gadgets one is always plenty, spares rarely come into genuine use.
Food containers
‘Food storage containers are another one I often see in excess.’ says Emma. ‘Many households have a large number, but they are mismatched or missing lids, which makes them difficult to use.’ A good culling and combing through of your containers is sure to turn up plenty of opportunities to gain back some space.
‘I also often see cupboards filled with old takeaway containers or ice cream tubs that people keep just in case. In reality, a smaller set that stacks neatly is far more practical and easier to maintain,’ Emma suggests. So clear out anything, broken, missing a lid, overly stained or simply unused. The satisfaction of having all matching containers is seriously unmatched, and makes storing your leftovers immensely easier.
Knives
Knives are something that are genuinely useful and arguably something you need multiples of in various blade shapes and sizes, but according to the pros- this is still a point of unknown clutter. Jo claims, ‘Most households only need one good set of sharp knives, but I often see drawers full of extras that are blunt or rarely used, taking up space and making it harder to find the ones that actually work.’
Do your cutlery draw a favour, pull out all the knives (safely) and test their sharpness. If they’re too dull or you simply know you won’t use them- cut them out (pun intended). The smugness of having a matching set is surprisingly satisfying too. Just make sure you’re disposing of the spares carefully. Wrap the blades in thick cardboard or newspaper, securing them with strong tape, and labelling them “Sharp” before placing them in general waste or taking them to a recycling centre’s scrap metal skip.
Specialist single-use gadgets
‘Specialist gadgets are a big one,’ says Emma. ‘Things like avocado slicers, egg separators or niche baking tools are often kept just in case but rarely used in everyday cooking. They take up drawer space that could be used for items people actually reach for.’ And while they may not be literal duplicates, they’re often just a new fangled item that promises to do something that you can already do- no gadget required. Whether it’s simply a sharp knife or an extra two minutes of patience- if you got by before the purchase you’ll get by again.
Souvenir kitchen gear
We all love a good souvenir, but unless you shop strategically, this sentimental urge can often lead straight to clutter- especially in the kitchen. ‘Bottle openers and corkscrews often collected on travels are another culprit,’ says Jo. On the surface, this is a productive souvenir choice. Something sentimental that reminds you of the trip but also serves a purpose. However when you come to realise you now have 10 bottle openers magnetised to your fridge, that purpose begins to get lost.
Baking dishes
Another one my household is definitely guilty of, ‘Lasagne or baking dishes’ says Jo, ‘Unless you’re servicing a large family regularly you don’t need multiple of the same size’. These are so bulky and awkwardly shaped, limiting the amount you have will have an instant impact on the state of your cupboards, without impacting the state of your cooking.
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