- \n
- Faster query execution, improving performance. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Enhanced website speed, resulting in a better user experience. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Simplified database management. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In this guide, we\u2019ll explore common types of unnecessary data in WordPress databases and how to clean them up, without relying on plugins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Familiarise Yourself with WordPress Databases<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before diving in, take time to understand the structure of WordPress database tables<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.20i.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/wordpress-database-description.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFamiliarity with tables like wp_posts, wp_options, and others will help you confidently identify and remove unwanted data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using phpMyAdmin for Database Management<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can manage your WordPress database via phpMyAdmin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Access it in My20i <\/a>> Manage > Web Tools > phpMyAdmin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.20i.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/my20i-web-tools.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce there, sorting tables by size can help identify the largest ones for optimisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Backup First!<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Always back up your database before making any changes. You can: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Export it directly using phpMyAdmin’s Export<\/strong> tool. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Use the Backup Restore<\/strong> tool in My20i for a complete backup. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cleaning Up Your WordPress Database<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Remove Post Revisions<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WordPress creates a new revision every time you update a post. These revisions can accumulate over time. To clean them up: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Use phpMyAdmin to filter rows in the wp_posts table with the keyword revision, then delete them. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Alternatively, execute this SQL query: <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
DELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_type = 'revision'; <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nTo prevent excess revisions in the future, add this to your wp-config.php file: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 5); <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nDelete Auto-Drafts<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Auto-drafts are temporary saves of posts or pages. Once published, they remain in the database unnecessarily. Use phpMyAdmin to search for auto-draft and delete the rows, or run: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
DELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_status = 'auto-draft'; <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nClear Trash Data<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WordPress sends deleted items to the trash instead of permanently deleting them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can speed up trash clearance by adding this to wp-config.php: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
define('EMPTY_TRASH_DAYS', 7); <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nNote: Replace 7 with your preferred number of days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remove Spam Comments<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spam and unapproved comments are stored in the wp_comments table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delete them manually via phpMyAdmin or write a query to bulk-remove spam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clean Up Old Plugin and Theme Data<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unused plugins and themes can leave behind orphaned data. Search tables like wp_options, wp_postmeta, and wp_commentmeta for prefixes associated with the plugin or theme, e.g., WooCommerce uses wp_wc_. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check for Plugin Cron Jobs<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some plugins leave behind cron jobs after deactivation. Use phpMyAdmin to review the wp_options table and delete outdated cron jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Optimise Database Tables<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Optimize Table command in phpMyAdmin can be useful when reducing table sizes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The command essentially defragments data, rebuilds indexes and reclaims unused space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s recommended to use the tool as part of routine database optimisation, after deleting large amount data and if your website experiences slow queries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boost Performance with Redis Caching<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Employing Redis<\/a> a caching layer will benefit your wordpress website. Redis stores results of MySQL queries in memory and Redis will serve the results instantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the queries are already cached, this will free MySQL\/MariaDB to handle other tasks more effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Redis](\"https:\/\/www.20i.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Redis-object-caching-and-WordPress.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
- Alternatively, execute this SQL query: <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Use phpMyAdmin to filter rows in the wp_posts table with the keyword revision, then delete them. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Use the Backup Restore<\/strong> tool in My20i for a complete backup. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Export it directly using phpMyAdmin’s Export<\/strong> tool. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Simplified database management. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Enhanced website speed, resulting in a better user experience. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Managed](\"https:\/\/www.20i.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Blog-Ad-WordPress-1200x625-1.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n