As the summer comes to a close now is an excellent time to declutter the used up, outgrown, and unwanted leftovers from the season. I like to do this exercise at the end of each season for a few reasons. The most important is why store what you don’t need? When summer rolls around again you won’t have to discover what needs replacing or tossing, you’ll have already done it when it’s most fresh in your mind. I also like to take advantage of end of season sales and replace items that have seen better days at a discount.
Here are 15 summer items to declutter for Fall:
1. Lawn & Garden Chemicals
Have you had the same bag of fertilizer left unused for the past 5 years? Perhaps a collection of weed killers when you tried everything to tame a pesky patch? Collect any unused lawn and garden chemicals and drop them at your local hazardous waste recycling center.
2. House Paint
While you’re recycling lawn and garden chemicals, bring any old house paint along too and clear out some storage space.
3. Outdoor Toys
Crumbled sidewalk chalk, gloopy bubble containers, broken swings… all of it can go. Don’t let outdoor toys take up valuable real estate when they would be best served going in the trash. Bonus: since the kids won’t be outside playing with these items anymore they are less likely to be upset when they realize they’re gone next year (if they realize at all).
4. Pool/Beach Gear
Pool and beach gear can get worn out and used up in a hurry. Look through your inventory of items and let go of anything that has seen better days or will be outgrown by the next season.
5. Sports Equipment
Whew, summer is busy for sports families. Go through your sporting equipment and declutter outgrown, worn out, or unused gear.
6. Sunglasses
Check for scratched lenses, loose arms, wonky face frames (I may have sat on a pair), or too small kids sizes.
7. Sunscreen
Check those expiration dates! Sunscreen does expire so check your dates and toss the old ones.
8. Sandals
My kids sandals are usually a wreck by the time cooler temps start popping up. Fall is a great time to swap them out for a fresh pair and a size up.
9. Swimsuits
Hello crunchy elastic. Give your suits the tug test to see if the elastic has any life left. While you’re at it, check for holes, excessive wear and tear, and sizing.
10. Beach Towels
If you are a water loving family you know the abuse beach towels can take. Go through your stash to check for holes and fraying.
11. Door Mat
The sun can do a number on anything left outside for long periods of time. If your doormat is looking less than welcoming it might be time for a fresh start.
12. Patio Furniture
Ditto to the door mat sentiment. Not only does the sun give patio furniture a beating, but depending on your climate, the other seasons as well. If anything is needing replaced now is the time to let the old go. Don’t store it through the winter just to get rid of it in the spring!
13. Bikes/Scooters
When their knees hit their armpits you know it’s time for an upgrade. Kids grow so dang fast, so take a moment to assess if they have outgrown their rides. Bikes and scooters take up valuable garage space too. Clearing out the old could make the difference between parking in the snow or in a warm dry garage this winter.
14. Summer Clothes
Is there anything you didn’t wear this season? Maybe you wore something ALOT and it’s starting to show. Now is the perfect time to clear some closet space and take advantage of some end of season sales.
15. Fall Decor
While not a summer item, the changing of seasons means the changing of decor. Take note of anything that doesn’t make the cut this year and let it go instead of continuing to store it.
I hope you found this list helpful. Want to keep going? I’ve put together another list of 31 items to declutter today.
