I was just reading some advice from “the Mother Superior of All Things Home” (aka Martha Stewart) and it was a bit of an education. It occurred to me that you might want to know this stuff, too.

We all have tools and ingredients in our kitchen that we only use once in a while, if ever. And when things begin to feel overly cluttered, it can be tempting to either throw things away or send them off to charity.

Martha’s article, “Kitchen Items You'll Regret Tossing During Your Next Clean-Out,” shares what professional organizers say is worth keeping the next time you're cleaning out your kitchen.

First on the list is the cast iron skillet. While it has a large-ish footprint, it’s worth keeping. It’s a timeless, versatile, and durable tool. With proper seasoning and care, it can last for generations, offering an unbeatable sear and even heat distribution that today’s pans struggle to match.

Another suggestion is to hang onto the old flatware. Having a backup set of silverware is a game-changer when hosting large gatherings or feeding extra guests. Keep the new set for daily use and store the older one for those special occasions when you have a full house.

And here’s a doozey: expired kitchen spices. Don’t keep ‘em to continue cooking and baking with them, but keep them for all their other uses. Other uses? Yup: Even though they’ve lost their potency, cinnamon sticks, for instance can be simmered in a stovetop potpourri. Ground cinnamon can help repel ants, cayenne pepper is a natural way to keep garden pests at bay, and dried green herbs can be added to your compost. Great ideas, don’t you think?

Lastly, stale oatmeal. Save it for the bath—it’s a super-soother for irritated skin. Whether for you or even bathing your dog, oatmeal is a gentle, natural remedy that’s as good for the skin as it is in the cereal bowl. To use: fill a clean stocking with plain oats and toss it in as you’re filling the tub.

As I read her article I couldn’t help but think how clever it is to think outside the box and be more resourceful. It seems that resourcefulness leads to frugality, or vice versa. They’re first cousins, for sure!

    Alice Osborne
    Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
    Email the author! alice@dvo.com