10 Things in Grandma’s House You Should Never Keep

When you start going through Grandma’s house, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the stuff she kept over the years. Some things might seem valuable or full of memories, but not everything is worth holding onto. Sorting through it all can be a chance to clear out items that no longer serve a purpose.

Knowing which things to let go of can help you avoid clutter and make space for what really matters. By being selective, you can keep the special memories without getting stuck with things that just take up room or cause unnecessary stress.

Expired medications

You might find old pills or bottles tucked away in grandma’s medicine cabinet. It’s best not to keep them. Expired medications can lose their strength or even become unsafe over time.

Taking these outdated meds can lead to unwanted side effects or no benefits at all. Plus, holding onto them can be risky if kids or pets get into them by accident. It’s simpler and safer to get rid of expired medications properly—usually at a drug take-back spot near you.

Old plastic sofa covers

You might find old plastic sofa covers in grandma’s house, and honestly, they’re best left behind. They were popular in the 60s and 70s to protect furniture from spills and wear.

But these covers are uncomfortable and can make a room feel stuck in the past. Plus, they don’t actually keep furniture in better shape over time.

If you want to keep your space fresh, ditch the plastic and enjoy the furniture as it is. It’s cleaner and a lot more inviting.

Broken cordless phones

If you have broken cordless phones lying around, it’s time to let them go. They don’t work well and often become outdated fast.

Keeping them takes up space and can add to electronic clutter. Plus, repairing them usually costs more than buying a new one.

Recycling or properly disposing of old cordless phones is a smarter choice. This way, you won’t have useless gadgets piling up in your home.

Worn-out floral Pyrex dishes

If you’ve found some old floral Pyrex dishes in Grandma’s kitchen, take a good look at their condition. Worn-out or heavily chipped pieces usually aren’t worth much to collectors.

Collectors want those bright, intact colors and patterns to keep their charm. So, if the dishes look faded or have cracks, it’s probably best not to hold onto them for value. You might just keep them for memories instead.

Cracked butter tubs

You’ve probably seen those old butter tubs grandma kept around. They seemed useful for storing bits and bobs like buttons or pins.

But once they’re cracked or warped, they’re not worth keeping. They can leak or break, and holding onto them just adds clutter.

Instead, swap them out for sturdier containers. Your stuff will stay organized without the risk of spills or damage.

Yellowed wrapping paper

You might find old wrapping paper in Grandma’s house that has turned yellow and brittle over time. It’s tempting to keep it for sentimental reasons, but yellowed paper doesn’t look great and can tear easily.

Instead of holding on to it, consider recycling or replacing it with fresh paper. Yours will look much better on gifts, and you won’t have to deal with faded or damaged wrapping.

Torn craft paper scraps

You might find a pile of torn craft paper scraps in grandma’s house. While she saw potential in every little piece, keeping these torn bits often just creates clutter.

Instead of holding on to tiny scraps that are too small to reuse, it’s better to recycle them or toss them out. They rarely serve a practical purpose once they’re ripped up beyond repair.

If you enjoy crafts, save only larger, intact paper pieces that you can actually work with. Otherwise, those ragged scraps just take up space.

Dried-out perfume bottles

You might be tempted to hold onto Grandma’s old perfume bottles because they look pretty or spark nostalgia. But if the perfume inside is dried out, it’s usually not worth keeping. The scent is gone, and the bottles often just collect dust.

Unless the bottle is a rare vintage piece or has some value, those empty or dried-up containers don’t serve much purpose. You’re better off passing on the memories and letting go of what no longer holds use or meaning.

Moths-eaten linens

You might find some old linens in your grandma’s house that look charming but are actually damaged by moths. Moths love natural fabrics like linen and wool, so these pieces often have tiny holes or weakened spots.

Keeping moth-eaten linens isn’t a great idea since they can attract more pests. Plus, they rarely hold up well over time and don’t look great as décor or keepsakes. It’s better to let them go and save yourself the hassle later.

Rusty birdcage linings

If you find old birdcage linings in your grandma’s house, it’s best to let them go. Chances are, they’re rusty and could be a health hazard.

Keeping these could attract pests or cause stains. They might seem nostalgic, but they don’t serve much purpose now.

Instead, replace them with something clean and safe if you want to keep a birdcage around. Your safety is more important than holding on to worn-out items.

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