You can have all the essentials but too much of anything becomes excessive.
As a professional organizer who’s had her hands in many junk drawers, I can easily tell you what the common clutter offenders are in most households. I can also tell that it’s possible to avoid having a junk drawer altogether. However, they do serve a purpose, so long as they’re kept neat and tidy—and the easiest way to do that is by regularly decluttering the drawer.
To help you get started, these are the items I recommend tossing from your junk drawer.
1. Cords and Chargers
On the off chance that everyone in the house uses the same type of phone charger, leaving one charging cord that works for all in your junk drawer is not a bad idea. But, label it or make sure everyone understands that it’s the designated junk drawer charger, and they can’t walk off with it. All other chargers, cables and cords should be organized elsewhere. Otherwise, they’ll quickly create a jumbled mess inside the junk drawer.2. Takeout Packets and Utensils
As a professional organizer, the amount of times I’ve pulled out ketchup and soy sauce packets from the depths of a junk drawer is incalculable. While you should never store food in the drawer to begin with, keep in mind that these items do actually expire—so if you’re going to keep them, at least leave them in the pantry or refrigerator.
