Do you feel even after cleaning your home top-to-bottom it still feels dirty? Chances are it isn't dirt or grime that's the culprit, but clutter. There's a difference between a clean home and a messy home. Clutter can make even the cleanest home look unkempt and messy. Many homeowners fill their closets, cupboards, counter spaces, and other open areas with items they never use or are broken and no longer functional. Taking the time to go through each area in your home and deciding what stays and what goes, not only gives you more storage space, but also makes your home look neat and tidy. Here are some items you can get rid of today.

Clothing
If your closets are so stuffed to the max that you can't remember the last time you were able to access the back of the closet, it's time to take an inventory of your wardrobe collection. Dedicate a rainy afternoon to examining the contents and seeing what you can keep, toss, or donate. Pieces you haven't worn in a couple of years or that are no longer your style can be donated to any number of charities. Items that have lots of moth-eaten holes or have set-in stains can be either tossed or upcycled.

Shoes
Besides clothes, shoes are big space-hoggers in closets. Part ways with shoes that are broken beyond repair or aren't within your budget to fix; donate gently used shoes and boots that don't fit right or ones you know you'll never wear.

Cosmetics
Gain some valuable extra space in your cosmetic drawer by sorting through your beauty items. Eliminate any old, dried-up bottles of nail polish, tubes of lipstick, foundation, etc. For your safely, remember to check for expiration dates. According to GoodHousekeeping.com, if there is no expiration date or it has rubbed off, here's a general idea as to when to toss certain products:

Mascara: every three months to prevent dangerous eye infections
Liquid Eyeliner: every three months
Pencil Eyeliner: every two years
Powder Eye Shadow: every two years
Lipstick and Lip Gloss: every two years

Before using cosmetics always smell and examine the product. If anything looks or smells off, don't risk using it. Remember: if you're getting rid of cosmetics, do so responsibly. Certain nail polishes contain chemicals and therefore, should be recycled at a household hazardous waste center. Don't toss them in the trash.

Spices
According to HGTV.com, the shelf life of ground spices is usually two years for freshness. If there's no expiration date marked on the container, do the smell test. If the spice has lost most of its aroma, leaving only very light scent, it's probably way past its prime.

Books
With the popularity of eBook readers, traditional hardcover and paperback books are being used less frequently. If you've amassed a collection of books, go through them and consider donating them to a library or school.

Cups, Mugs, and Sports Team Logo Glasses
Open your kitchen cupboards. What do you see? If they are overrun with cups and mugs you rarely, if ever use, find them a new home. Ask friends and family who entertain often if they can make good use of them, or donate them to a local soup kitchen.

Appliance Manuals
If you no longer own the oven you bought 15 years ago, why are you hanging on to the owner's instruction manual? Recycle them and gain extra space.

Other Miscellaneous Items Cluttering Your Living Space:

Empty jars (jam, relish, Mason jars, etc.)
Candle jars with only a tiny bit of wax remaining
Old phones
Miscellaneous phone chargers, power cords, and cables
Paperwork (old receipts, holiday cards, ticket stubs); keep sentimental cards, upcycle or recycle the rest
Old toys
Plastic food storage containers