13 Valuable Items in Your Home You Should Never Throw Away

We all love decluttering. The feelings we associate with this process are often liberation, peace, and a maybe dash of regret. There are two types of declutterers: the ruthless and the hopelessly sentimental. I fall into the latter.

However, there is good news for those who can’t throw out that bundle of ‘80s car magazines. Some objects can be reused and repurposed for other benefits. The ruthless anti-hoarders out there should take note.

Here is a comprehensive list of some household objects you may wish to reconsider throwing out. They may one day have some value.

1. Electronics

My father has many connections in Sri Lanka through church outreach missions. In the past, members of Sri Lankan churches would visit the United Kingdom, marveling at how advanced our lives were. A vivid memory of these encounters was seeing the guests load their luggage with faulty electrical goods they found in thrift stores.

These objects would soon be fixed in their new homes, providing vital tech lifelines for members of the Sri Lankan church. Furthermore, while Westerners maybe don’t have the technical patience to repurpose electronics, many companies will pay money to take them. Cell phone restoration company Decluttr is one example of this.

2. Silica Gel Packets

While living in Asia, I became mystified at seeing silica gel packets in everything: ramen packets, stationery — even children’s snack pouches. Of course, a leaking silica gel sachet would be disastrous to any food product, but they are actually very useful.

I save every sachet I find now; they are great for those living in humid conditions such as the Pacific Northwest or the Mississippi Delta. One practical use is storing used silica gel packs in kitchen cupboards to ward off moisture-induced bacteria. Epicurious even recommends leaving one in opened chip bags to improve the crunch.

3. Computer and Laptops

It’s always good to have a backup computer, even if it isn’t so fast: those terminals that have finally died may still retain hardware value. If you are updating from a functioning computer to a new design, a second computer has many benefits.

Even better, a second PC can help the Ron Swansons of the world. A backup laptop or desktop can make a good TAILS (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) setup, giving privacy and secure communication from those snooping censors’ eyes.

4. Clothing

Sorry, Fashionistas — old clothes are good to hang on to. While wardrobe space is at a premium for some people, keeping hold of dated fashion items may come in handy. Those who filled their wardrobes in the ‘80s hold a trump card now; some Gen-Xers would kill for the designs of yesteryear.

I like to think if you don’t throw clothes out, they will eventually come back into fashion one day, anyway.

5. Coupons

There are levels to the coupon game. In the based-on-truth movie Queenpins (2022), a suburban housewife duo builds a coupon fraud empire, earning millions selling fake coupons.

Most people just discard old coupons, though it may be worth keeping hold of some, depending on the store policy. Sunday Coupon Inserts recommends asking if the store has a “grace period” or a “coupon exchange policy.” You may not get lucky every time, but if it works at all, that is a saving made.

6. Kitchenware

People who love cooking will go through their arsenal of kitchen gadgets, utensils, and pans faster than others. Therefore, the temptation to upgrade is always there. While some items may not be usable with food, they can be repurposed.

One hack for burnt stainless-steel pans is boiling a dishwasher tablet in them, according to House Digest. The pan will look like new — until you leave it burning again.

7. Books

Bookworms love the idea of filling one room at home entirely with books to create a live-in library. Sadly, not everyone has the square footage. Notwithstanding the sentimental value, books are a cumbersome storage problem, but saving a few might be an idea.

Unused books provide potential for interior design or whimsical touches around the apartment. Making Home Matter published a revolutionary idea: book-page wallpaper.

8. Rubber Bands

Never throw rubber bands away, if anything, because synthetic ones take a long time to decompose. A more worthwhile reason for keeping them is that they are just so useful.

Treehugger shares some insights on cool things rubber bands can be — makeshift button looseners, bookmarks, and my favorite: measuring tape fasteners. All one must do is ask how many stacked items need organizing at home.

9. Instruction Manuals

Some people may be guilty of throwing away the box, warranty agreement, and instruction manual when they receive their new toy. User guides and instruction manuals are best kept for troubleshooting later malfunctions or upgrades.

Sometimes, an instruction manual could have vital images or measurements that aren’t located online anywhere, especially older, analog designs. Discard them at your peril!

A rare Apple-1 user manual went to auction in 2021 for almost $10,000.

10. Unused Gift Cards

We’ve all been there — tossing the gift card with a dollar left over money or receiving gift cards we will never use.

Since 2010, federal law dictates that all gift cards must be valid for five years after sale. Even if you don’t want the card, you can still give it away. Better still, sell it on sites such as CardCash.

11. Shower Curtains

John Candy’s salesman in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987) would push the virtue of shower curtain rings, though these need replacing less than the curtains. A tarnished or lime-covered shower curtain is an eyesore, though its waterproof texture is invaluable.

Upscaled throwaway shower curtains will make perfect liners for cupboards, water-resistant table protectors, or garden lining for raised beds.

12. Unwanted Toiletries and Cosmetics

It may be a bad idea to buy perfumes for people, as what may smell nice to one person could be the opposite for another. Meanwhile, we can sometimes be oversubscribed with bathroom products, especially post-Christmas.

One person’s unwanted toiletries are another person’s wanted toiletries, however. Local thrift stores, community exchange groups, and churches will gladly accept barely used products of this ilk. ToiletriesAmnesty is a website dedicated to sharing cosmetic wealth with those less fortunate.

13. Buttons

Buttons are so apparently worthless they have their own trope. Who hasn’t seen the cliché of cheapskates pulling odd coins and buttons from their pockets? Buttons are adaptable for many purposes, including counting with young kids, mending clothes, or decorating cushions.

The problem lies in knowing what to do with the spare shirt buttons you find hidden in the pockets. A common approach is to keep them in that pocket, hoping they will somehow be there when you one day need them. Spoiler alert: they are never there.