Summer has a way of leaving a lot of stuff behind. By the end of the season, there are worn-out flip-flops, half-empty bottles of sunscreen, broken pool toys, and summer clothes that somehow never got worn.
Before packing everything away until next year, take a few minutes to decide what’s actually worth storing. If it’s broken, expired, outgrown, or went untouched all summer, this may be the perfect time to let it go.
Worn-Out Flip-Flops and Sandals
Flip-flops with worn-down soles and sandals with broken straps probably don’t need to take up closet space until next summer. And if a perfectly good pair went unworn all season, consider donating those too.
Old Sunscreen
Check expiration dates before tossing sunscreen into a drawer for next year, and get rid of anything that’s expired or noticeably changed in consistency. Nearly empty bottles are also worth using up now instead of storing all winter.
Stretched-Out Swimsuits
Chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, and repeated washing can leave swimsuits stretched, faded, and uncomfortable. Keep the ones you still enjoy wearing and let go of those you avoided reaching for all summer.
Broken Pool and Beach Toys
Don’t pack away inflatables with leaks, cracked buckets, or water toys that no longer work properly. Test questionable items now and toss or recycle what’s beyond repairing instead of rediscovering the same broken toys next June.
Beach Towels That Have Seen Better Days
Faded towels are one thing, but badly stained, threadbare, or torn ones probably don’t need another summer. Repurpose them as cleaning rags or check whether a local animal shelter can use them before throwing them away.
Summer Clothes Nobody Wore
This is the perfect time to declutter summer clothes because you already know exactly what you wore and what stayed on the hanger. If you had an entire season to wear something and repeatedly passed it over, consider donating it.
Kids’ Clothes They’ve Outgrown
Go through summer clothes, swimsuits, sandals, and water shoes before packing them away. Anything that’s already too small can be donated or passed along instead of taking up storage space until you discover it doesn’t fit next year.
Outdoor Toys the Kids Have Outgrown
Kiddie pools, sprinklers, sand toys, and other outdoor gear can quickly become garage clutter once kids lose interest. If something barely got touched this summer, consider passing it along while another family can still use it.
Empty and Nearly Empty Summer Products
Bug spray, aloe, after-sun lotion, and other seasonal products tend to accumulate in cabinets and garages. Use up what’s still good, check expiration dates, and properly dispose of products you know you won’t use again.
Damaged Outdoor Cushions and Décor
Take a good look at outdoor cushions, rugs, planters, and décor before storing them for winter. Anything badly faded, ripped, mildewed, or broken probably isn’t worth giving valuable storage space for another year.
Vacation and Travel Clutter
Brochures, attraction maps, receipts, hotel toiletries, wristbands, and other little things tend to follow us home from summer trips. Keep the genuinely meaningful souvenirs and let go of the random stuff you don’t need to preserve the memory.
The Stuff You Said You’d Use “This Summer”
That picnic basket, camping gear, outdoor game, or giant cooler you promised yourself you’d use has now had another full summer to prove its usefulness. If something has gone untouched for multiple summers, it may be time to admit you’re storing it for a lifestyle you’re not actually living.
Don’t Store It Just Because You Have Space
You don’t need a huge end-of-summer decluttering project. Simply use the end of the season as a chance to get rid of what you already know you don’t need, so you’re not unpacking the exact same clutter next summer.
