Office & Productivity / Guide
What to Keep and What to Shred During a Home Office Cleanout
Sort papers into keep, review and shred piles, then confirm retention needs before disposing of sensitive records.
Make three piles before turning on the shredder. Keep papers you know you still need, set aside anything with an uncertain retention period and shred sensitive papers once you have confirmed they can go. Avoid doing the sort and disposal at the same time when several people share the files.
Check what you may need to retrieve
Use the FTC’s keep-or-shred guidance as a starting point. Check any applicable recordkeeping requirements before disposing of tax, insurance, property or other important documents. Ask the relevant organization or a qualified adviser if you are unsure about an original or a deadline.
Mark what you can access digitally
Confirm you can open a usable copy before relying on it. Give files meaningful names and keep a backup in an appropriate place. If you need an original later, label where it is stored.
Dispose of confirmed sensitive papers securely
Set aside papers with personal or financial information that you have confirmed can go. Use a shredder within its stated capacity or a reputable secure disposal service for a large batch. Keep the review pile separate until every open question is resolved.
