8 things to declutter in June 2025 – pro organizers urge households to get rid of these before the mercury peaks

Decluttering in June 2025 before temperatures get too hot to handle is the key to a streamlined home this summer.

From tackling children's rooms to prepping your cooling essentials, there are eight major categories you need to tackle before the temperature peaks, say pros.

Here, expert home organizers reveal the eight areas to focus your energy and favorite decluttering methods this June, and why they're so essential to finish this month.

Things to declutter in June 2025

According to meteorologists, June 2025 is predicted to be one of the hottest summers on record, so it will soon be too warm to tackle these spots comfortably.

That's why it pays to have a well-established arsenal of decluttering tips when trying to stay on top of clutter and prevent it from building up when you're in a time crunch.

1. Dump zones in garages and sheds

A rush to get through spring home maintenance and transition between winter and summer means practical zones such as garages, sheds, basements, and attic storage ideas become dumping grounds for clutter.

Tina Priestley, home declutterist at Ready, Set, Refresh, suggests acknowledging them at the start of June before the temperatures rise further.

‘Garages and outdoor spaces become dumping grounds over time. Clear cardboard boxes, broken outdoor toys, and anything damp or moldy. Decluttering garages is not just about tidiness, it helps protect your home from pests as the weather warms up.'

These extra-large clear storage totes, from Walmart, are perfect for organizing these high-traffic, practical areas. They have latch lids to prevent pests and moisture from damaging items, are clear so it is easy to find what you need, and are stackable to make use of vertical storage space.

2. Deal with the medicine cabinet

While we have largely said goodbye to coughs and colds in June, hayfever season is here to replace them. As such, Amélie Saint-Jacques, professional organizer and founder of Amélie Organizies, recommends decluttering and organizing a medicine cabinet.

She suggests, ‘Declutter your old sunscreen and bug spray and get rid of anything expired or used up, and replenish as needed.’

Remember that old sunscreen will lose its potency and reduce its effectiveness in the sun. It is always worth refreshing it each summer to stay safe, and an expiration sweep is perfect for the task.

When storing medications, consider using a locking medication storage box, available from Walmart, to prevent children and pets from accessing tablets.

3. Broken cooling equipment

Our best fans and portable AC units have seen a lot of action over the last few years as summers get hotter and hotter.

Before temperatures speak again at the end of June 2025, take some time to test all of your standalone cooling equipment and declutter any items that no longer work or that you no longer need.

To work out what to do with the items you are decluttering, evaluate the items individually. If they are still in good working order, they can be donated or sold.

For equipment that no longer works, check your local recycling laws to find the nearest safe disposal point for electronics.

If you are looking to replace your fans, consider the Shark Flexbreeze Fan from Best Buy. Rated Homes & Gardens' best fan overall, it has an adjustable pedestal stand and can be used indoors and outside.

Shoppers love it too, praising it for its convenience, cordless design feature, and quietness.

4. Old school equipment

If you have children or teenagers who have recently started summer break, June is a great time to sit down with them to declutter kids rooms and deal with old school supplies that they don’t need moving into the next academic year.

Amanda Scott, professional home organizer and owner of Amanda Scott Home, says, ‘The end of the school year means a great transfer of assignments and gear from the classroom to home. Don’t get buried in the deluge,’ she urges. ‘Start by sorting through art assignments and deciding what to toss and what to keep. Can’t bear to get rid of your precious Picassos? You can have digital versions turned into image books to save space.

‘Ditto with school supplies. Donate or recycle what you don’t need,’ Amanda continues. ‘Donate used books to your local used bookstore or library, and choose new books for summer reading. Declutter these areas when school is out, so come the end of summer, you are ready for back-to-school.'

5. Old toys

Children will be spending more time at home as school comes to an end.

Because of this, Justin Waltz of Junkluggers suggests, ‘June is the ideal month to start decluttering children’s toys. June marks the beginning of summer and is always a good time for families to go through and sort clothes, toys, sports gear, along with items that are no longer used and are ready to be donated. This makes it easier to prepare for the busy school season in the fall.’

Decluttering at the start of the month means it will be easier for your child to find the toys and games they want the most throughout the summer break, helping them to keep themselves entertained for longer.

Using open front storage bins, available at Target, makes the remaining toys easy to access. Don't worry, we have some tricks to successfully declutter toys when your children aren't on board, too.

6. Shift closets from spring to summer

We gain a lot from monthly closet decluttering sessions. While it might seem tiring, staying on top of closet clutter and keeping track of seasonal wardrobes streamlines our morning routines.

Meaghan Kessman, professional organizer, suggests that June is the perfect point to fully remove any cooler clothing items we may have held onto through spring and swap things out for a full summer lookbook.

She shares, ‘As the seasons change, it’s practical to adjust your wardrobe, making it simpler to find suitable clothing for the warmer months.

'Transition your wardrobe from spring to summer by decluttering clothes you no longer wear. Store winter clothing and ensure summer attire is easily accessible and organized.

‘I like to use vacuum-seal bags [available at Target] for storing out-of-season clothes, saving space and protecting them from dust.’

7. Deal with your fridge pre hosting

Amanda Scott, professional home organizer says, ‘With kids home for the summer and in and out of the fridge all day, and big hosting opportunities just around the corner, declutter a fridge and encourage healthy snacking while also reducing the amount of time that fridge or freezer door stays open in the warmer months. After all, no one wants melted ice cream!’

She suggests starting by taking everything out of the fridge, and while empty, clean the fridge by wiping down all the shelves with a clean sponge and soapy water or vinegar.

‘Then, check expiration dates. Is it past its prime? Compost, toss, or recycle. Visible mold? Same. Next, ask yourself if you use it. If not, throw open and perishable items away. That bottle of ketchup with half a squeeze left in it? Rinse, recycle, and let it go.

‘Put the items you want to keep back into the fridge, keeping like items together—meat in the meat drawer, vegetables in the vegetable drawer. Consider a clear plastic bin or Lazy Susan for salad dressings or condiments to make them easier to organize and access. Use clear containers and fill them with healthy snacks for easy grab-and-go.

‘Repeat this process for the freezer. If that means having to eat the last spoonful of mint chip in the carton to make room for more ice cream and popsicles, well, somebody has to do it.'

8. Address outdoor cook spaces

Whether it means decluttering and organizing an outdoor kitchen or setting up a small grill space, June is a great time to address your outdoor cooking options, points out Devin Shaffer, lead interior designer at Decorilla Online Interior Design.

He says, ‘Outdoor kitchens are different from indoor ones,’ he begins. ‘The outdoor area is often underutilized, especially because spring is still somewhat cold in many states. Review the items found stored in the space and adequately store what you know you need.

‘What you don’t need can be donated or tossed, depending on its condition. Some people dread this exercise, but realistically, if you don’t use it, then you don’t need it. Don’t forget the plates, glassware, and cutlery, too.’

What to shop

Meet the experts

Tina Priestly

Tina Priestly is a sought-after home organization expert who specializes in transforming cluttered spaces into streamlined, functional sanctuaries.

Amélie Saint-Jacques

Amélie Saint-Jacques is a certified KonMari Consultant and professional organizer based in San Antonio with years of experience in professional tidying.

Amanda Scott

Amanda is a professional organizer and the founder of California-based Amanda Scott Home, through which she helps clients create beautiful, functional spaces where they can take a deep breath and feel at ease. She's also a champion of sustainable solutions.

Meaghan Kessman

Meaghan Kessman Home Organizing is a full-service organizing firm based in Los Angeles, dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through organization. 

A common misconception about decluttering is that it needs to take lots of time and you have to get rid of a lot of stuff, or you have ‘failed’.

However, getting rid of just a few items at the start of a new month can make room for newer, better items, or even just make your home easier to manage.

Decluttering and organizing in June is a great way to get a start on summer, even if you only get rid of as few as three things. It will also clear the path to easily sort the things you need to clean in June.