Top 8+ things organizers want you to toss from your junk drawer

The junk drawer is typically a spot where you set out to keep useful items, but it inevitably turns into a cluttered mess. From extra batteries to old takeout menus, it can easily become a landing zone for all those things you keep just in case. “Junk drawers are one of those areas that become overwhelming as they become overstuffed, however, it only takes a few moments to solve the problem,” says Wendy Trunz, partner and head organizer at Jane's Addiction Organization. The professional organizer’s strategy is simple: Empty the junk drawer, clean both the drawer and any storage containers, discard what you don’t need, and organize what’s left.

“The junk drawer is really your ‘greatest hits’ drawer, holding items you reach for all the time, rather than a dumping ground for random bits and bobs,” says Laura Kinsella, a professional organizer and owner of Urban Organyze. Below, the two organizers share the eight things you should throw out in your junk drawer right now to keep it functional and easy to navigate.

Old Paperwork

One piece of paper may seem harmless, but before you know it, a stack of old paperwork makes your junk drawer chaotic. “Many times they are old wrappers, old receipts, business cards, schoolwork, and coupons that may already have expired,” Trunz says. The organizing pro recommends pulling out all the papers stuffed inside the junk drawer and throwing out what’s garbage and filing away anything you need to keep.

Takeout Menus

Old takeout menus are a common culprit when it comes to junk drawer clutter. Kinsella says it’s time to get rid of the collection—“especially if you order online,” the organizer says. Go through the menus, discarding duplicates and menus from places you no longer order from. “These items quietly steal valuable space that could be used for what you grab weekly like scissors, tape, or other small tools that make daily life easier,” Kinsella says.

Dried-Out Pens and Markers

“An abundance of pens, pencils, markers, and even children’s craft supplies—crayons, colored pencils, and glue sticks—end up in the junk drawer,” Trunz says. Take them all out and only keep what you grab and use frequently. “Throw away all of the old, dried-out markers and pens, get rid of old craft supplies, and take the supplies that are good and put them back where they belong,” the organizer says.

Extra Batteries

Oftentimes, extra batteries get thrown in the junk drawer and no one knows whether they are new and still usable or not. “In order not to waste batteries, if you’re not sure, rely on a battery tester,” Trunz says. Instead of letting loose batteries clutter the drawer, get a storage container to organize them. This way, they can stay in the drawer but have a designated home where they are neatly contained and available when you need them.

Miscellaneous Screws or Hardware

Toss random screws or hardware with no clear purpose that’s floating around in the junk drawer. Kinsella says clutter like this often builds because we ask ourselves a question that keeps us stuck. “When we’re unsure about something, we tend to ask, ‘Do I need this?’ and that makes it easy to justify holding onto almost anything,” Kinsella shares. A more supportive question, she says, is, “How is this currently useful to me?” The organizer explains that asking the right question typically leads to the realization that the item isn’t useful right now, or that it belongs somewhere else because it’s not used on a regular basis.

Random Tools

Tools that were taken out of the toolbox or garage to do a quick job in the kitchen often end up living in the junk drawer. “Take out all tools that are big and bulky that don’t belong there and put them back where they belong,” Trunz says. She suggests keeping a small, basic multipurpose tool in the drawer so it’s there when you need it. This will prevent multiples of tools from finding their way into the junk drawer again.

Old Cords, Chargers, and Electronics

“The junk drawer also becomes a place where lots of cords, chargers, and electronics get thrown in,” Trunz says. People often hold onto old cell phones, manual calculators, cords, and chargers that end up turning into a tangled space-hogging mess. Trunz advises checking all the items and only keeping those that are current and being used, discarding whatever is outdated or broken.

Extra Scissors and Tape

The junk drawer is where you’ll usually find scissors and tape—and while Trunz says it’s a perfectly good home for these items, it is important to keep them to a minimum. She recommends storing two pairs of scissors along with one regular tape and one packing tape in the drawer. “One of each will be easily accessible rather than having multiples mess up the drawer; keep the backstock somewhere else,” Trunz says.