Real Life of an MSW

Expired food, including spices. This is the easiest place to start, says Jennifer Q. Williams, the founder of Saint Louis Closet Co., as expired things “serve no emotional attachment and only give you more momentum to keep going.” And don’t forget the freezer.

Branded freebies and promotional items like plastic cups, water bottles, koozies, insulated tumblers. If you didn’t pay for it and you don’t use it, toss, recycle or donate it.

Takeout detritus including plastic utensils, takeout containers, sauce and spice packets, and paper menus, which are useful only if you actually use them.

Food storage containers. To tame a container collection, “match all bottoms and lids, and throw away extra pieces” as well as any containers that are warped or cracked, says Wendy Trunz, a partner and head organizer at Jane’s Addiction Organization.

Plastic dry cleaning bags and unused wire hangers. “It’s much better to store your clothes in cotton canvas bags, so the fabric can breathe,” says Sarah Giller Nelson, of Less Is More Organizing Services. Eliminating plastic garment coverings will also make the closet appear tidier. “Simply removing wire hangers and plastic from dry cleaning will instantly make it feel better and lighter,” Trunz says.

Clothing that is torn, stained or stretched, including items in need of repair that you keep meaning to get to — get to it today or get it out the door. put old workout gear in this category: “If it’s stretched out, stained or hasn’t seen a gym in years, donate or toss.”

Promotional swag like T-shirts, tote bags and bandannas. These freebies you picked up along the way and stashed in your closet are just taking up space — donate or recycle them.

Orphaned socks. If you’re hoping their mates will turn up, don’t bother. “They will not reappear. Ditto socks with holes. “You are not going to mend them.”

Paper bags. Those Trader Joe’s paper shopping bags seem to proliferate in the night like well-hydrated mogwai. “Keep a few handy, and recycle the rest,” Friedman says, or grab a stash to fill with items on our experts’ list of decision-free things to part with today.

Receipts and product manuals. “You can find most manuals online now, and receipts fade and pile up fast,” Friedman says. Use the scanner app on your phone to digitally preserve receipts or other information you need to keep.