10 Surprising Things You Should Never Store in Your Junk Drawer
Yep, even your junk needs a little cleanup!
We all have that one drawer in our house that’s designated as the official "junk drawer." You know that spot where you throw all those miscellaneous items that don’t quite fit anywhere else? Contrary to the name, however, this area isn’t actually a place to toss literal junk—that’s what your trash can is for! But many people keep all their random clutter and rarely used objects in their junk drawer, which defeats the real purpose of it.
Instead of some sort of garbage bin, a junk drawer is actually a small, functional space intended to store everyday essentials that you can easily grab and use whenever you need them. That could be pens, notepads, scissors, tape, rubber bands, thumbtacks, or anything else. Unfortunately, though, most junk drawers become a hub for all the unwanted bits you decide to save just in case—until the drawer turns into an overstuffed, chaotic mess.
But don't worry: Your junk drawer isn't doomed! In fact, it’s completely possible to keep yours organized and clutter-free. All it takes is a quick cleanup and some simple sorting. To make this space a little more streamlined, toss these 10 items that never belong in a junk drawer, and watch your kitchen transform into a lighter and brighter space right before your eyes!
Declutter these additional kitchen spots for a cleaner home:
Paperwork
Your junk drawer is not the place to store important documents like your passport, driver's license, birth certificate, or tax returns. If you slot your stack among other miscellaneous objects, your paperwork will likely become crumpled, torn, or overlooked. Instead, secure these papers in a safer spot like a file cabinet or home safe.
Extra Chargers
If you keep chargers in your junk drawer, you might want to rethink this storage spot. These cords take up a lot of space, and they can easily become twisted and tangled. To declutter your collection, toss any that are old, broken, or unused. Then, neatly wrap up the rest, and relocate the remainder to a charging station.
Expired Coupons
Since everything is digital nowadays, paper coupons are easy to forget about, especially if yours are sitting in the back of your junk drawer. Because these vouchers only last for so long, you might unintentionally be holding onto expired ones. As you sift through your pile, toss anything that's old, and move the usable ones to your wallet.
Old Receipts
While cleaning out your purse or wallet at the end of the day, you might be tempted to pop your receipts into your junk drawer, but they’ll only get lost in the shuffle. A better alternative is slotting them into an organized folder or file, transporting them to a digital app, or uploading photos of each to cloud storage.
Loose Change
Whether you have a coin collection or you accumulate quarters for parking meters, coins can multiply rapidly, turning into space hogs in no time. Rather than storing your loose change in your junk drawer, opt to keep yours in a coin wallet, the center console of your car, or a decorative bowl in the foyer.
Random Keys
Your mysterious collection of keys might look important, but if you have no idea which doors they belong to and you haven’t used them in ages, they’re just clutter in disguise. For the keys that could have a potential matching lock, take a few minutes to test each one. Otherwise, it's safe to toss them.
Makeup Products
You might stash spare chapstick or backup mascara in your junk drawer, but this area is prone to heat, humidity, and temperature changes that could shorten your makeup's lifespan. For the products your regularly reach for, move them to a small cosmetic bag. Then, discard the ones you haven't touched it in a year.
Dead Batteries
Since they roll around and easily leak, dead batteries have a way of taking over—and wreaking havoc on—your junk drawer. If you’ve already used up all the juice, set the used ones aside in a clearly labeled container until you can recycle them. As for fresh batteries, keep them in their original packaging or a small organizer.
Kids Toys
Tiny toys and trinkets always seem to find their way into the junk drawer. But if they’re hiding in there, your kids will have trouble finding them! The next time you clear off your counters or declutter the floors, place your kids’ toys in a small basket that stays in their bedroom or a playroom.
Special Keepsakes
Sentimental keepsakes like a birthday card from your kid, a watch you inherited from your grandma, or a ticket stub from your favorite band's concert are too special to be put away, bent up, and forgotten about. These meaningful mementos deserve a safer spot, such as a memory box, a keepsake album, or a small bin.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
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