25 Kitchen Items to Toss That You're Never Going to Use (2024)

There's a fine line between getting good use out of an item and holding on for too long. Knowing when to say goodbye will save you from waking up one day with a cluttered kitchen counter and cupboards that won't close.

Old tea that's lost its pop, chipped barware and busted kitchen utensils aren't doing you any favors and they're taking up precious space in your already busy kitchen.

Here's a list of items that you'd be wise to toss and declutter that cooking space once and for all.

When nonstick cookware surfaces start to flake and chip, they'll be less effective. You also don't want to ingest too much of that chemical compound.

If your nonstick skillet looks anything like this, it's time to saddle yourself with a fresh pan. These are the best nonstick frying pans we've tested.

If your cast-iron skillet no longer lies flush on the stove, that means it's warped. This likely happened from exposing the pan to drastic temperature changes such as rinsing it with cold water while it was still hot.

Cleaning scorched cast iron is simple but, unfortunately, there's no easy way to unwarp a pan. If your Lodge is wobbly, it's probably time to spring for a new one and begin building that surface seasoning from scratch.

Cooked rice might seem like one of those things that'll last forever, but it doesn't.

As CNET's Nina Raemont explains in this article, cooked rice can develop bacteria within an hour of being left out at room temperature and cause food poisoning.

If your plastic containers are warped, then the lids won't seal properly. A poor seal can lead to freezer burn, spills and other problems. Put them in the recycling bin and stock up on sturdier plastic containers or glass jars and storage containers that will last much longer.

And if you're not sure which takeout containers and boxes can be recycled, we've devised thishelpful guide.

If you don't cook a lot, your spices may be past their prime. The older the seasoning, the less flavor it will give your recipes. The best indication of how good a spice might be is the sniff test. If the spice still smells strong, keep it. If you can hardly smell anything, toss it.

Old spices are often a washed-out color and clump up in the jar due to exposure to humidity.

Use the sniff test on herbs, too. Also, look for faded or grayish colors, which could be another sign of herbs that are long past their use-by date.

Here'show to store herbs so they last longer.

While you're clearing out your seasoning rack, head on over to your pantry. Here are 10 pantry items that you should purge.

There are some kitchen tools that it pays to have more than one of such as frying pans and food storage containers. But you likely don't need four of the same wooden spoon or multiple can openers that do the same single task.

If you've somehow ended up with duplicates, give the extras to charity or store them out of the way and free up the cupboard, counter and drawer space for stuff you need.

If you're an infrequent hot beverage drinker, you probably have a can of grounds or a box of tea bags on your shelf that's been there forever.

After three to six months coffee goes bad. An tea starts to lose it's potency after a year or so, even if it's sealed and stored properly. If you can't remember how old it is, brew a cup. If it doesn't have a strong smell or it tastes weak, that means it's too old.

If you need fresh beans, these are the best coffee subscriptions to try in 2024.

Toss the prescription meds, too. Expired medication may not be as effective and can be potentially dangerous, according to theFDA.

When tossing medicine, check the label to see if there are specific disposal instructions. Also, black out or scratch off personal information on the label. If you live in the States, you can use the US Department of Justice website to find a collection location near you.

If you don't know what it is or how long it's been there, don't take a chance. Toss it.

While we're on the subject, here are a few foods that expire faster than you'd think.