Top 13+ Things You Should Never Keep at Home (But Most People Still Do)

Expired Medications

Many households are guilty of stockpiling expired medications in bathroom cabinets and drawers. According to the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration, expired drugs can lose potency, making them less effective or even dangerous due to chemical changes. The National Institute on Drug Abuse highlights that keeping unused opioids at home increases the risk of accidental poisoning and misuse, especially among children and teenagers.

Surveys from 2024 reveal that nearly 65% of Americans admit to storing expired medicine “just in case.” The safest practice is to routinely check expiration dates and properly dispose of old prescriptions at authorized take-back sites. This simple habit prevents accidental ingestion and helps combat the rising issue of prescription drug abuse in the home.

Tossing expired meds might feel wasteful, but it’s far safer than the alternative.

Old Batteries

Most people have a junk drawer packed with old batteries, but few realize the risks. The Environmental Protection Agency warned in a 2023 report that used or damaged batteries can leak harmful chemicals, contaminate your home, and even pose a fire hazard.

Lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from phones to vapes, caused hundreds of residential fires in the U.S. last year alone, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Storing spent batteries together increases the chance of short-circuiting and accidental combustion, especially in hot or humid environments. Safe disposal at official recycling centers is crucial, as tossing them in household trash is both illegal in many states and hazardous.

The convenience of keeping old batteries is far outweighed by the very real dangers they pose.

Unused Electronics

Obsolete gadgets often pile up in corners, closets, and garages, but keeping them isn’t just a matter of clutter. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams worldwide, and the United Nations estimated in 2024 that only 17% of global e-waste is recycled properly.

Old devices contain toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leach into your home’s environment if damaged or exposed. The European Environment Agency strongly urges households to recycle unused electronics to prevent harmful substances from ending up in landfills.

Besides the environmental impact, storing these items increases the risk of data theft—forgotten laptops and phones can still harbor personal information. Letting go of unused electronics protects both your health and your privacy.

Plastic Food Containers with BPA

Many kitchen cabinets are still full of plastic food containers, some of which may contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to hormone disruption and other health problems. Despite the FDA’s 2024 ban on BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups, millions of adults still use old containers that may not be BPA-free.

Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2023 showed that BPA can leach into food, especially when containers are heated in microwaves or dishwashers. The CDC found measurable BPA levels in over 90% of Americans tested, with food storage being a top source of exposure.

Swapping plastics for glass or BPA-free options dramatically cuts your risk. Keeping outdated plastic containers might feel thrifty, but it could be harming your health in ways you can’t see.

Unused Paint and Chemicals

Garages and basements often hide old cans of paint, solvents, and cleaning products, with most people unaware of the dangers these pose. According to the EPA, improper storage of household chemicals increases the risk of accidental poisoning, fire, and environmental contamination.

A 2023 study by the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported thousands of accidental exposures in homes, especially among children. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by aging paint and solvents can degrade air quality, leading to headaches, dizziness, and long-term respiratory issues.

Municipal hazardous waste programs offer safe disposal, and many states now require households to participate. Holding onto half-used chemicals isn’t just a space issue—it’s an active health risk.

Mothballs

Mothballs were once a staple in closets and storage areas, but modern science warns against their use at home. The main chemicals in mothballs, naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, are classified by the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services as possible human carcinogens. In 2024, the CDC reiterated that exposure—especially through inhalation—can cause headaches, nausea, and even liver or kidney damage.

Children are particularly at risk, as accidental ingestion is not uncommon. Research also links mothball chemicals to indoor air pollution, which can linger for months after use.

Alternatives like cedar chips or lavender sachets are recommended by the National Pesticide Information Center. Keeping mothballs may seem like a practical tradition, but the health risks far outweigh any benefit.

Old Receipts

Receipts might seem harmless, but most are printed on thermal paper coated with BPA or BPS, both of which can be absorbed through the skin. According to a 2023 study in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, regular handling of receipts is a significant source of BPA exposure for adults.

The Environmental Working Group estimates that 93% of paper receipts in circulation still contain these chemicals, despite increasing awareness. Cluttered drawers full of receipts not only pose a chemical risk but also increase the chance of identity theft if personal information is visible.

Digital storage and mobile payment records are far safer alternatives. Letting go of old receipts is an easy way to reduce chemical exposure in your everyday life.

Old Pillows

Pillows are often kept far longer than recommended, even though they become breeding grounds for dust mites, bacteria, and mold. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that pillows should be replaced every one to two years, yet surveys in 2024 showed most people keep them for five years or more.

Over time, pillows accumulate dead skin cells and sweat, which contribute to allergy symptoms and worsen respiratory conditions. Researchers at the University of Manchester found that up to 16 varieties of fungi could be living in a typical pillow.

Washing can only do so much; the internal filling eventually becomes saturated with allergens. Regularly replacing pillows is a simple yet overlooked step toward better health.

Unused or Broken Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors save lives, but only if they work. In 2023, the National Fire Protection Association reported that nearly 60% of home fire deaths occurred in properties with missing or nonfunctional smoke alarms.

Many people keep old or broken detectors thinking they might “fix them someday,” but this gamble can have fatal consequences. Batteries should be replaced twice a year, and detectors should be tested monthly, yet compliance rates hover below 40% nationwide.

Proper disposal is important too—smoke alarms contain small amounts of radioactive material and should be returned to manufacturers or hazardous waste facilities. Keeping defective alarms gives a false sense of security and should be addressed immediately for true peace of mind.

Unused or Outdated Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are crucial for home safety, but many people keep expired or empty units tucked away under sinks or in closets. The National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing or servicing extinguishers every 5 to 15 years, depending on the type.

A 2024 consumer safety audit found over 70% of extinguishers in U.S. homes were expired or nonfunctional.

In an emergency, a faulty extinguisher can mean the difference between a minor mishap and a devastating fire. Regular inspections and proper disposal through local fire departments are essential.

Relying on old extinguishers is a risk no one should take, yet it remains one of the most overlooked household hazards.

Unused or Outdated Cosmetics

Bathroom drawers everywhere are filled with half-used tubes of mascara, foundation, and lipstick, but keeping old makeup can be dangerous. The U.S.

Food and Drug Administration warns that expired cosmetics become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi, leading to skin irritations, eye infections, or worse. A 2023 study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that over 60% of used makeup products tested positive for harmful microbes after expiration.

The risk rises with products used around the eyes and mouth. Experts advise checking expiration dates and discarding any products more than a year old.

Holding onto old makeup out of nostalgia or thrift could actually be harming your skin.

Unused Keys

It’s common to have a drawer or bowl full of unidentified keys, but this habit can pose security risks. Locksmith associations warn that spare keys are a top target for burglars—especially if they’re labeled or stored in obvious places.

A 2024 report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics linked several break-ins to hidden or easily found spare keys within the home. Unused keys can also cause confusion in emergencies, wasting precious time during lockouts or evacuations.

Periodically going through your collection and discarding unneeded keys reduces clutter and increases home security. Keeping only essential keys and storing them securely is a smarter approach.

Unused Holiday Decorations with Old Lights

Many people stash holiday decorations, especially string lights, year after year without checking their safety. The National Fire Protection Association issued a 2023 alert noting that faulty holiday lights were responsible for over 150 house fires in the U.S.

last holiday season alone. Old wiring, frayed cords, and non-LED bulbs can overheat and spark fires, especially when left unattended or used near flammable materials.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends replacing holiday lights every three to five years and inspecting them for damage before each use.

While the memories might be precious, outdated lights are a hidden fire hazard that should not be ignored.

Conclusion

Here's a shocking reality: latex paint is liquid rubber, and rubber is a flammable fuel source that most people don't even think twice about storing in their garage or basement. The average building has 1-3 tons of unused paint cans lurking in storage areas, creating what fire experts call a "perfect storm" scenario.

When exposed to high heat, these innocent-looking cans become dangerous fuel sources that firefighters cannot extinguish - they can only contain and observe until it flames out, releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide and hydrochloric acid gases. Very hot temperatures can even trigger a fire with oil-based paint, while cold weather can cause latex paint to separate, making it unusable.

The scariest part? Moisture from basement floors can rust your paint cans, creating weak spots that can lead to leaks and environmental contamination.

Most homeowners have no idea they're essentially storing miniature hazmat sites in their own homes.