The pros have spoken.
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If the stove is the heart of the Southern kitchen, well thejunk draweris the hidden secret.
These catch-all drawers store, well, everything that doesnt have a proper place anywhere else in the house.
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They arent all bad, though.
Lets be honest, the junk drawer is quite possibly the most used drawer in our kitchen!
says Cassie Thompson ofSerene Spaces Professional Organizingin Northeast Florida.
As a busy working mom, I ask a lot of this multipurpose space.
Thats why cleaning out a junk drawer can be such a challenge.
Perhaps the random bracket is actually important?
What if you need that one rubber band someday?
Faced with all those difficult questions it can be hard to know where to start.
When I have more time, I create intentional spaces for the drawer, says Thompson.
Taking a few minutes to declutter this space weekly saves a lot of time and frustration!
Use their thoughts as a guide to clean out that drawer with no remorse and no takebacks.
Takeout Menus
Everything is on an app these days, saysOrchid Organizingowner Lindsay Melvin.
Disposable Items
Any disposable items such as straws or sauce packets are the first to go!
says Thompson of Serene Spaces.
Plus, its highly likely that theyre all tangled and full of dust, says Steve Evans ofMemphis Maids.
Another option is one of the many receipt scanning and management apps like Receipt Pal or Receipt Hog.
Cash
Okay, this isnt something to be tossed out, but it should be relocated.
Look for any cash or change to gather up and put in your wallet, says Serene Spaces Thompson.
If you cant match them to something in your home, dispose of them immediately, says Anderson.
Old Pens and Markers
verify if you have any dried pens or markers.
Sometimes you have 10 20 pens and half of them dried out a few years ago, says Evans.
Ensure that you dispose of them safely as per local guidelines.
If these items are not being used consistently then it’s time to throw them out, says Anderson.
