WordPress automatically generates multiple image size variations for every upload, which can quickly consume server storage and inflate backup sizes. Using the WP Media Cleanup plugin, you can scan your media library to identify unused image variations and bulk-delete them safely, while keeping original source files intact. The plugin includes a 30-day recovery window for deleted files. For developers managing multiple sites, WP-CLI commands are available to automate scanning and deletion. After cleanup, compressing remaining images with an image optimization plugin is recommended to further reduce storage and improve page load times.