We all have that one drawer in our house—yes, the one filled with random odds and ends you swear you’ll organize one day. It’s the junk drawer, a treasure trove of forgotten knick-knacks and mysterious objects. But let’s be honest, sometimes it’s more gross than it is useful. If you’re brave enough to dig through its depths, you might find some truly bizarre and unsanitary items lurking in there. Let’s take a look at some of the grossest things people keep in their junk drawers.
1. Old Batteries
It’s easy to toss old batteries into the junk drawer, promising yourself you’ll dispose of them properly later. But as time goes by, those corroded little cylinders become more of a health hazard than a backup power source. According to Dr. Michael Kosnett, a toxicologist, corroded batteries can leak harmful chemicals like potassium hydroxide, which can cause skin irritation or respiratory issues if inhaled. Plus, there’s something unsettling about touching a sticky, crusty battery when you’re just trying to find a paperclip. It’s best to take those expired batteries to a recycling center as soon as you can.
Of course, we all hang onto them out of an irrational fear that we may one day need a half-dead battery to power an obscure gadget. But really, the inconvenience of dealing with a leaking battery isn’t worth the hypothetical convenience. When you think about how quickly tech evolves, the likelihood of needing that obsolete battery seems slim at best. Besides, with so many places offering free battery recycling, it’s easier than ever to dispose of them responsibly. All in all, it’s time to let go of the battery relics and reclaim some drawer space.
2. Dried-Out Pens
Pens that don’t work but somehow still make their way back into the drawer are a mystery of modern life. There’s something oddly comforting about having a seemingly endless supply, even if half of them are completely useless. You never know when you might need to jot down an important note or phone number, but reaching for a pen only to find it’s dried out is beyond frustrating. Plus, holding onto nonfunctional pens just adds unnecessary clutter to an already chaotic space. A quick pen test and purge could save you from future writing woes.
The problem with these dried-out pens is that they’re taking up valuable real estate in your drawer. You’re more likely to find an old gummy bear than a working pen when you actually need one. Why not make it a little project to sort them out? Keep the ones that work and toss the rest. Your future self, desperate for a functioning pen, will definitely thank you.
3. Mystery Keys
Ah, the infamous mystery keys—who do they belong to, and why are they here? They tend to accumulate over time, each with its own untold story and forgotten purpose. According to home organization expert Marie Kondo, keeping items that no longer spark joy, like these orphaned keys, can add to mental clutter. They serve as a reminder of things left undone and decisions yet to be made. If you haven’t used a key in over a year, it’s probably safe to say you’ll never need it again.
What makes these keys particularly gross isn’t the keys themselves but the dirt and grime they often collect. They’ve been tossed around, dropped, and forgotten, yet they still find a way back to your junk drawer. Plus, there’s always the chance that the key could belong to something important—but unless you’re planning a grand unlocking spree around your house, it’s probably better to let them go. By clearing out these clutter culprits, you’ll make space for the things you actually use. You might even find that elusive spare key you’ve been searching for all this time.
4. Sticky Notes With Unreadable Scribbles
Let’s talk about those sticky notes—small squares of paper once meant to remind you of important tasks. Over time, they become cryptic hieroglyphs with their ink faded, and the adhesive covered in dust. It’s a little alarming to think about how many of these forgotten notes might be reminders of things left undone. Sure, at one point, they might have been vital, but now? They’re just clutter in disguise.
Even the best intentions can end in a sticky-note pile-up. You might think you’ll get back to whatever you scribbled down, but the reality is, if you haven’t already, you probably won’t. Sorting through them is a tedious task, but it can be oddly satisfying to finally toss them out. Plus, it’s an opportunity to jot down the things that do matter on fresh, clean notes. It’s time to make room for the new and actually actionable information.
5. Rubber Bands
Junk drawers are notorious breeding grounds for rogue rubber bands. They seem like the kind of thing you’d use all the time, yet they often end up just piling up in a corner of the drawer. According to professional organizer Julie Bestry, keeping an excess of items like rubber bands can lead to unnecessary clutter and chaos. They’re also notorious for snapping when you least expect it, leaving remnants behind to clean up. When they dry out, they become brittle, breaking apart and leaving crumbs of rubber in their wake.
While they’re handy in theory, the reality is that the average person doesn’t have a consistent need for dozens of them. If you find your drawer overflowing with rubber bands, it’s time to consolidate. Keep a few for emergencies and toss the rest. After all, you can always find more if you really need them in the future. Plus, a drawer free of rubber band debris is a happy drawer.
6. Expired Coupons
Ah, the thrill of finding a coupon you completely forgot about, only to realize it expired months ago. It seems wasteful, but we’re all guilty of holding onto them with the hope of future savings. The reality is that expired coupons are no more useful than scraps of paper. They take up room and add to the mess. If you find your junk drawer overflowing with them, it’s time to let them go.
Keeping expired coupons is like keeping old receipts—unless there’s a specific reason to revisit them, they’re just clutter. It’s a great idea to periodically go through and clear them out. Consider it a chance to actually find the ones you can still use. Your wallet and your drawer will thank you. Plus, it’s a good opportunity to reorganize and make space for new deals.
7. Assorted Cables
We all have a tangled mess of cables in our junk drawer, each one a relic of technology past. They represent a hopeful optimism that we might one day find a use for that old phone charger or forgotten camera cable. According to tech expert David Pogue, most of these cables are outdated and simply add to the clutter. They’re often covered in dust and grime, making them less than appealing to touch. In reality, all these cables do is take up space.
While it’s tempting to hang onto them, the likelihood you’ll need a cable for a device you no longer own is slim. Instead, consider sorting through your collection and keeping only the ones that are current and useful. There are recycling programs specifically for electronic waste, making it easy to dispose of the rest responsibly. By doing so, you create more space and reduce the cable chaos. Your future self will thank you the next time you’re fishing around for a specific cord.
8. Broken Jewelry
We’ve all got those bits of broken jewelry—a lone earring, a snapped bracelet, a chain with no pendant. They’re the remnants of better days, and we keep them with the hope that one day we’ll repair them. But let’s be real: most of us never get around to it, and they continue to clutter the drawer. The potential grossness comes from the tarnish and dust these broken pieces accumulate over time. It’s less about the sentimental value and more about the clutter they create.
These jewelry remnants take up space and can even tangle with other items, making a mess of your drawer. While it might be tough to part with something that once held value, it’s time to consider whether it’s worth keeping. If you’re not going to fix it, it might be better off recycled or repurposed. Plus, clearing out this kind of clutter can be surprisingly freeing. It’s a small step towards a more organized and navigable drawer.
9. Mystery Cords
It’s amazing how many random cords and chargers accumulate in a junk drawer over time. They seem important in the moment, but quickly become obsolete as technology changes. These mystery cords are often tangled, covered in dust, and in some cases, even sticky. They take up space and create unnecessary clutter, making it difficult to find the items you actually need. Yet, we hold onto them, just in case we ever figure out what they’re for.
The reality is that most of these cords will never find a match again. They belong to devices you no longer own or have long since upgraded. Instead of letting them take up space, consider sorting through them and recycling what you can. You’ll be amazed at how much room you have once they’re gone. Plus, you’ll save yourself the frustration of dealing with the tangled mess every time you open the drawer.
10. Tangle Of Twist Ties
Twist ties are one of those things that seem useful, so we collect them just in case. But over time, they become a tangled mess, lurking at the bottom of your junk drawer. They pick up dust, crumbs, and all sorts of grime, making them one of the grosser things hiding in there. In reality, you probably don’t need as many as you think. A few will suffice for those rare occasions when you actually need them.
Clearing out the excess twist ties can quickly declutter your drawer. Consider keeping a few and tossing the rest into the recycling bin. Your drawer will be cleaner, and you’ll save yourself from the frustration of dealing with a twist tie tangle. By minimizing these little clutter culprits, you create a more functional space. Your junk drawer doesn’t have to be a catch-all for unnecessary items.
11. Half-Used Candles
You probably have a couple of half-used candles hiding in your junk drawer that you’ve completely forgotten about. They’re remnants of cozy nights and special occasions, yet they end up stashed away and gathering dust. Over time, these candles can become sticky and attract dirt, making them less than appealing to use again. Let’s face it: their scent is often long gone, and they’re more clutter than useful by now. It might be time to say goodbye.
Keeping these remnants around clutters your drawer and makes it less functional. If you haven’t used a candle in ages, it’s better off being discarded or recycled. Only hang onto the ones you genuinely plan to use. An organized drawer free of grimy candle remnants is a step towards a tidier home. Plus, it’s a chance to make room for new items that will actually get used.
12. Paper Clips And Binder Clips
The junk drawer seems to be the final resting place for an assortment of paper clips and binder clips. They’re small, easy to lose, and accumulate faster than you realize. While they’re handy for organizing, they often multiply into a tangled mess. The result is a drawer that’s more chaotic than organized. Plus, they can get dusty and grimy over time, which doesn’t make them very appealing to use.
It’s worthwhile to sort through your collection and keep only what you might actually use. If you haven’t needed a binder clip in the past year, chances are you’re not going to need one anytime soon. By decluttering, you’re making space for more essential items. Consider organizing the ones you do keep in a small container to avoid future tangles. Your cleaner, more functional drawer will thank you.
13. Bits Of String
It’s surprising how many bits of string or yarn find their way into the junk drawer. They’re usually remnants from some long-forgotten project or a parcel you received. These little bits accumulate and become tangled, making them difficult to use. Plus, they often collect dust and grime, adding to the drawer’s overall grossness. In reality, if you haven’t used them by now, chances are you’re not going to.
The clutter created by these string remnants can be frustrating. They not only take up space but also make it difficult to find things you actually need. It’s time to assess their worth and toss the ones you don’t plan on using. By doing so, you’ll make the drawer tidier and more functional. It’s a small change that can greatly improve your organizing game.
14. Random Screws And Nails
A collection of random screws and nails is a staple in most junk drawers. They seem important, but they’re often mismatched and don’t actually belong to anything you still have. These items can rust or collect dust, making them one of the grosser things hiding in your drawer. They take up space and create unnecessary clutter. When it comes to organizing, these random bits of hardware are better off sorted and stored elsewhere.
If you’re hanging onto these with the hope of finding a use for them someday, it’s time to reevaluate. Instead, consider creating a small hardware kit with only the essentials you might actually need. Recycling or discarding the rest will free up valuable space in your drawer. Plus, it makes it easier to find the screws you actually need when the occasion arises. By decluttering, you’re taking a step towards a more organized and functional home.
More Bolde Stories
Loneliness and solitude do opposite things in the brain, which is exactly why treating one like t...
People who wear the same few outfits, drink from the same mug, and order the same meal usually pr...
