There’s something about the end of summer and the start of a new school year that feels like a fresh start to me. Which makes it a great time of year to clear out and declutter at home.
There are so many bits and pieces that we only use in the warm, summer months so it’s a great idea to sort through and have a declutter of all these seasonal items instead of just stashing everything away again.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry, here are ideas for 7 things you can declutter at the end of the summer.
1. Seasonal foods and drinks
Ease into the decluttering by using up all the food and drinks that you only really have in the summer months.
Have one last BBQ and use up the last of the rubs and marinades and sauces that are knocking around in the fridge.
Make the most of the last warm evenings and sit out in the garden with the last of your bottle of Pimms.
2. Unused kitchen and BBQ tools and appliances
Once you’ve enjoyed your last BBQ of the season have a look at all your BBQ tools and accessories.
Get rid of any bits that are worn out or broken, and any things you didn’t actually use this summer.
The same goes for any kitchen appliances or tools that you’ve not used this summer, like ice lolly moulds or novelty shaped ice cube trays. If your BBQ itself is really big, and you only ever use it in the summer, it might be worth looking at putting it into storage with other big, seasonal items, to free up space at home.
3. Beauty products and suncreams
The end of summer is a great time to sort through and clear out seasonal beauty products and sun creams. Check if there’s an expiration date on any of your bottles of sun cream, and throw out any that are past this date. Sun cream that you’ve bought and used some of this summer should still be ok for next summer, but it’s best to get rid of any that’s still left over from last year.
The same goes for things like self-tanning lotions and make up. Look for the little symbol on the packaging that tells you how long after opening it’s safe to keep the product. If it won’t still be ok to use next summer, get rid of it now.
4. Healthcare products
Sort through your first aid kit and medicine drawer and get rid of any medicines, sprays, lotions and creams that are past their expiration date.
5. Unworn and worn out clothing
As the weather starts to change take some time to sort through all your summer clothes before swapping them out for your jeans and hoodies.
Anything that you haven’t worn this summer or that didn’t make you feel great when you did wear it can go straight out to the local charity shop. The same goes for any bits of summer clothing that you know your children will have grown out of by next summer.
While you’re in sorting mode it’s also worth going through your beach towels and picnic blankets and losing any that are looking worn out and threadbare.
6. Summer reads and entertainment
Take an honest look at the books you’ve read this summer and pass on any that you know you won’t want to read again.
If you’ve collected a pile of magazines over the last few months too then spend a few hours reading through them. Scan any recipes you want to try into your phone and take photos of any items that caught your eye if you might want to buy them at some point. Then all the magazines can go in the recycling or be passed on to a friend to enjoy.
You can also take this time to go through your dvd collection and get right of any that you never watch any more or that you know you can stream online now.
7. Summer games and toys
Make the most of the last of the warm days and let the children out in the garden to use up the last of the bubble mixture and the random packet of water balloons.
Then get rid of any garden games and water pistols that are broken or past their best from being left outside all summer.
The same goes for the paddling pool that’s slightly too small and the sand pit that the children are slightly too old for. Pass them on to someone who’ll be able to use and enjoy them next summer.
Hopefully this post has given you lots of ideas for things you can clear out and declutter at the end of summer.
Do you like to have clear outs throughout the year or do you normally save it all for a big spring cleaning spree?
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post