7 Things Organizers Say to Get Rid of Before Summer
Seasonal shifts often call for a purging of sorts — a dedicated moment to get rid of what’s not serving you while preparing for the season ahead. With summer just around the corner, now is a good time to take stock of your current warm-weather necessities while also thoughtfully storing colder weather goods instead of simply chucking everything into storage (you’ll thank your future self). For some guidance, I asked professional organizers about the items you should get rid of before summer so you can start the season with a clean slate.
Old Pool and Beach Gear
“Check for missing or damaged items such as broken goggles, leaky floaties, or expired sunscreen so you can lounge by the pool or hit the beach without any last-minute hiccups,” advises Kristen Christian, professional home organizer and cofounder of Bee Organized. “When everything is clean, stocked, and easy to find, you can focus on relaxing during the lazy days of summer.”
Winter Apparel You Didn’t Wear This Year
Making the call on what to get rid of is always tricky, but a good rule of thumb is that if you didn’t wear it in the past season, then you’re not likely to wear it next year, says Leydi Rofman, professional organizer and founder of The Organized Leydi. Go through your items one by one and sort into keep, toss, or donate.
Afterward, put all this winter loot into storage. “If it’s hot outside, there’s no reason you should still be shoving past a puffer jacket to grab your keys,” Rofman says. “Bag it up and move it out of the way. Top of [the] closet, under the bed, even in a suitcase — just get it out of prime real estate!”
Expired Travel Toiletries
Summer calendars tend to fill quickly with last-minute travel invites, spontaneous road trips, and longer vacations. Having your toiletry kits ready to go means you can pack quickly and avoid making rushed last-minute decisions, Christian explains.
This means going through your items and getting rid of anything expired or past its prime, as well as restocking your kit. “Being prepared ahead of time takes the pressure off, so you can focus on what really matters: making memories and enjoying quality time with friends and family,” Christian says.
Digital Clutter
Raise your hand if you’ve gotten the dreaded “you’re almost out of storage” notification on your phone. Digital clutter is real, and there’s a good chance you’ve got some to take care of.
“Our phones hold more clutter than we think, and a lot beyond our daily conversations and messages. There are photos, notes, apps, and ideas — most of which we aren’t even using,” says Shaniece Jones, a Los Angeles-based organizer. “If you’re already running low on storage, summer photos and videos will get cut short with that ‘storage full’ message in the middle of a selfie or group photo.”
Unused or Broken Outdoor Equipment
Organizing your outdoor gear now means you can enjoy summertime adventures without the last-minute scramble to find what you need or discover something’s broken. “When items like beach chairs, bikes, coolers, or sports equipment are clean, accessible, and ready to go, you can spend more time having fun outside instead of digging through clutter,” Christian says. “It also helps you avoid duplicate purchases and ensures you’re prepared for everything from backyard barbecues to beach bonfires.”
Car Junk
For those who drive, your car can quickly become a second living space filled with everything from yesterday’s breakfast remnants, receipts, and your “just in case” gym bag. “Your car becomes the catchall for everything, and sometimes there is no space to even have an additional passenger,” Jones says. “Summer is the time when your car sometimes has more of a social life than you do, and you don’t want it to become a source of stress or embarrassment.”
Go for the deep clean, getting rid of any trash, unnecessary clutter, and items you haven’t used in some time (and won’t realistically won’t use anytime soon). From there, commit to five-minute weekly tidy sessions, she advises.
Your Growing Bag Collection
The propensity to hold onto totes, gift bags, and even plastic bags is real. The reality is that you most likely only need one or two, and the rest are just taking up precious space. “They’re full of old receipts and snack wrappers from last fall. Summer needs a clean slate,” Rofman says. She suggests dumping them out, wiping them down, and only keeping the bags you reach for regularly. A good rule of thumb is to have one bag per drop zone, but no more.