Professional organizers are advising people to get rid of certain household items to achieve a clutter-free home. The number of items in question varies, with some sources suggesting 8, 9, or 12 items, while others focus on specific categories like "just-in-case" items or items to toss at the start of summer. Meanwhile, some organizers are also highlighting essential items that people should never throw away, indicating that the decision of what to keep and what to discard is not straightforward.