11 Things Everyone Needs to Get Rid of After 80

A few years ago, my grandpa made the decision to move out of the house where he raised my mom and aunts, and into a smaller, more practical apartment in an independent living community. “Pop,” as we all call him, was in his late 80s at the time (he just celebrated his 90th birthday by going skydiving!), and paring down his possessions was overwhelming, to say the least. My mom and her sisters did a lot of the heavy lifting, and it made me wish there were a guide to decluttering for people of his age, a blueprint to make the job a little easier. 

Had any of us known how to decide what to toss and what to keep in the years leading up to his move, perhaps the process would have been faster and less overwhelming. I realize that my family isn’t unique; plenty of people in their 80s need help decluttering, whether they’re downsizing or just trying to keep a tidy home. I asked Noel Chen, a professional organizer, KonMari consultant, and founder of Farewell Clutter Co., about which items octogenarians can definitely let go of, and here’s what she had to say.

No matter your age, you’ve probably got expired beauty products, over-the-counter medications, and personal hygiene products lurking in your medicine cabinet and under your sink.

“Intentional decluttering is a powerful tool for your safety and health,” says Chen. “Responsibly discarding outdated products helps you keep only those that support your current hygiene and wellness needs.” Tossing outdated items also makes it easier to tell when something you use every day needs a refill or restock.

Unless you shop for groceries one meal at a time, you probably have old or expired ingredients in your pantry. “A common misunderstanding is that spices can be used for much longer than their best-by date,” says Chen. 

She adds that “decluttering expired and unused grocery items not only gives you back physical space in your kitchen, but also allows you to prepare meals that taste much fresher.”

It’s easy to acquire an excess of furniture over the years, but “too much furniture slowly crowds a room and limits how you move around your home,” explains Chen. “By passing on the ones you don’t use, that are damaged, or that are uncomfortable, your space becomes more open, easier, and safer to navigate.” 

If you have grandchildren or nieces and nephews who are settling into their first home, they’ll be more than happy to take it off your hands, especially if it’s vintage and in good condition. 

An abundance of books, magazines, and newspapers may feel romantic and bolster your decor, but when you have more reading material than you could possibly read, it starts to feel like clutter. 

“When papers and paper goods accumulate over the years, they slowly take over flat surfaces, are stored away, and collect dust on shelves,” Chen says. “Keeping only the ones that inspire you or support a current hobby or pursuit grounds you in what matters to your lifestyle now.”

Many people change careers at least once throughout their lives, so it’s only natural to find yourself surrounded by tools and materials from previous jobs. 

“It’s normal to feel an emotional pull toward materials from years of meaningful paid work,” Chen explains. “Since they’re no longer needed at this stage of life, acknowledging the role they played, then letting them go with gratitude frees up room for the activities you enjoy today.”

One of the easiest places to declutter is your closet, which tends to need purging every few years, no matter how old you are. 

“Choosing an outfit and putting away clothes and shoes are things you do daily,” says Chen. “By removing items you don’t like or wear, it becomes easier to find what you want and safer to access the closet. Getting dressed becomes much more enjoyable, and laundry becomes less of a chore.”

Let’s face it: Breaking out your fine china and silver flatware is usually more trouble than it’s worth. Plus, it can be cumbersome, and so seldom used, it’s likely not worth keeping.

“Formal dining sets, china collections, and [dinnerware] can take up a lot of storage space in the home,” says Chen. “Passing on what you no longer use and keeping what you actually need makes everyday hosting and dining feel lighter and more manageable.”

There are few possessions, if any, more precious than photos — but not all photos carry the same emotional weight. 

“Over a lifetime, boxes and albums of unlabeled photos of unknown people and places naturally pile up. Releasing them lifts the burden of keeping and preserving stories that weren’t yours to begin with,” says Chen.

If you’re lucky enough to be surrounded by friends and family members who love you, you probably also have your fair share of well-intentioned gifts that you didn’t necessarily want or need. 

“These accumulate over decades of birthdays, special occasions, and experiences with yourself, friends, and family,” says Chen. “Keeping only the ones you love is a reminder that the memories stay in your heart, freeing your home of objects you keep out of obligation.”

For many parents and grandparents, mementos of their children’s earliest years are among their most prized possessions, but that doesn’t mean you have to hang on to every scrap of paper from their childhoods. 

“Parents often keep extensive collections of report cards, artwork, and mementos from their children’s school days,” says Chen. “Curating the ones you truly treasure makes storage more manageable while still honoring that stage of life.”

“Surrounding yourself with the things you love and that spark joy creates a sense of positivity every day,” says Chen. “This sense of warmth and calm carries over into other parts of your life, allowing you to show up more fully.”

Consider this your permission to let go of any negativity holding you back — as well as any other excess clutter taking up valuable space in your home.