The change of weather is a great time for a clear out in your home, especially as we head into a season of hosting and spending more time inside.
Our professional organizers shed light on the five specific summer items they never keep hold of come fall, including summer clothes they didn't wear, so their storage doesn't become crowded or lead to 'editing procrastination', where it becomes harder to clear things out.
Take a leaf out of our pros' book and declutter ahead of fall to optimize your storage.
1. Summer clothing that wasn’t used
Professional organizers never keep old, unused summer clothing in their closets after summer as doing so would clutter up their storage.
Expert home organizer Barbara Brock says, ‘Now is the time to look hard at your closet and prioritize what you like to wear, what you need, and what you haven’t worn in ages. Someone else can use clothing that you don’t need. So weed, weed, weed your closet. I always declutter my clothes. Even if there’s only one or two items that I don’t use or are stained, it’s out.'
If you didn't wear or use an item from your collection this summer just gone, it's unlikely you're going to magically like it next year so save yourself from hanging on to it for the next 12 months and get rid of it now.
Nothing escapes Barbara's clear out. She adds, 'I consider shoes, handbags, and scarves in this category too. I want my clothes to always be relevant,’ she adds. ‘When decluttering clothes after summer, remember to also give away any unworn bathing suits.’
2. Summer specific appliances
If you have spent the last few months trying to find the fastest way to cool a house, then you likely have a litany of summer-specific appliances that can be put in storage, or sold if they were not right for you.
Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner and president of Sophia’s Cleaning Service, says, ‘I tend to do a sweep through the house getting rid of hot-weather things like standing fans, pool toys, etc, once the weather starts getting cooler. This can also involve taking in things like window AC units for the winter since these can take up quite a bit of space in smaller rooms especially.
‘This time of year is great for going through and putting your summer home items into storage in preparation for cooler weather.’
3. Expired summer toiletries
From sun lotion to lightweight moisturizers, summer-specific toiletries are another item pro organizers clear out when the season comes to an end.
When decluttering a bathroom, make sure to check for any products that have expired, or will expire by the time next summer rolls around. Getting rid of them now reduces clutter over the colder seasons while helping you avoid using less-than-effective skincare products in a year's time.
Barbara Brock, professional home organizer, adds, ‘Over summer, cosmetic counters have many giveaways of sample products, and I usually toss them in a drawer thinking I will use them – which I hardly ever do. If I don’t edit and organize this space at the end of each season, my clutter keeps accumulating which leads to procrastination about editing.’
4. Summer dirt
As summer draws to an end and we look to close our windows and doors ahead of the cold weather, Amanda Schmitt, lifestyle blogger and founder of Life As Mama always makes sure to work through a fall cleaning checklist, never leaving summer dirt in the house.
‘I always do a deep clean of the entire home, opening windows while the weather isn’t too cold yet, and deep cleaning carpets to leave the space feeling fresh,’ she shares.
This is where a good clean of your entryway will come in handy, especially if you live near somewhere sandy, have enjoyed lots of summer hikes or done lots of wet activities.
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Orchard-fresh Apple Cider cleaner has a sweet and crisp scent, with a little touch of spice. This cleaner is safe to use on many surfaces including hardwood floors.
Acorn Spice hand soap blends the rich, nutty scent of acorn with cinnamon and spices for a perfect air of autumn comfort
5. Expired cleaning supplies
Before you start fall cleaning, it's worth editing your essential cleaning supplies, says Barbara Brock, professional home organizer. ‘Check your cleaning supplies, tools, batteries, and light bulbs. Have some of these rusted? Can duplicates be combined? You want to be able to grab an item when you need it instead of hunting for it. Sorting through this closet is a reminder of what you have.’
Getting rid of these five things at the end of summer is one of the best ways to create more space for fall editions to your home, from fall-scented cleaning supplies to cozy clothing hauls.
Of course, you will have to do the same all over again in six months to prepare for spring cleaning, but frequently decluttering your home will help you to stay on top of clutter and mess before you wind up decluttering when you feel overwhelmed.
