Get a head start on the upcoming autumn season by decluttering and cleaning up your space. Discover six things to clear out or tidy up before fall begins.
While summer is still in full swing, preparations for fall and the return to routine are well underway. With just a few days left until school, work, and regular responsibilities resume, it’s a good idea to declutter first. This is a perfect summer activity for a slightly cooler day. Cleaning your living space can also help you figure out what you need to buy for the upcoming season. Below, we’ve outlined six things you should clean up or part with before the arrival of autumn.
Tackle last year’s school supplies
School supplies don’t last forever. Pencils run out, markers dry up, and rulers break. Take stock of your supplies and make a list of what you can reuse this year, such as binders, pencil cases, and lunchboxes, and what you need to purchase new.
Outgrown children’s clothing
There’s a saying that children grow like weeds, and sometimes it truly feels that way. So, if you have kids, summer is the perfect time to go through their closets and set aside the pieces they’ve outgrown. Can other siblings wear these clothes? Do you have friends with kids who could use them? Clothing in good condition can also be donated to your local thrift store. Afterward, assess what you need to buy for the new school season.
Work and casual clothing
Don’t put off cleaning your work uniforms or the clothes you wear to the office. You’ll have to do it sooner or later. As for the rest of your closet, you might not need to go through everything, but you probably don’t wear all ten of those skirts or sweaters that are taking up space. Dispose of stained, torn, or unwearable items, or donate clothing in good condition and free up space you don’t need.
Cardboard boxes
Most of us have developed a habit of ordering more online since the beginning of the pandemic. If you’ve been storing cardboard boxes for returns that you never made, now is the time to get rid of them. Keep in mind that cardboard boxes can also attract insects and pests, so eliminating their clutter is also a cleanliness issue.
Old electronics
While it’s a good idea to keep an older smartphone or computer on hand in case something happens to your current one, a ten-year-old desktop computer is likely useless, as is your old flip phone. As kids return to school, and holiday shopping approaches sooner than it seems, you’ll need extra storage space in closets and throughout your home. Before discarding, don’t forget to erase data from devices and recycle old batteries. Old phones can also be donated, so explore options in your area.
Garage clutter
Garages tend to accumulate various items you don’t want in your home. Therefore, set aside an hour or two and tidy up your garage before it gets too cold or too hot for that matter. This activity may involve dealing with unused sports equipment, old appliances, toys your kids have outgrown, and old or broken holiday decorations that you won’t use during the upcoming holiday season.
A pre-fall cleanup can help you start the autumn season with a fresh and organized living space. Whether it’s preparing for school, work, or just embracing the new season, decluttering and parting with unnecessary items can create a more comfortable and efficient environment in your home.
