Summer Declutter: 18 Areas to Clear Out Before Summer Hits

Summer is coming fast — and before you rush out to buy new beach towels, sunscreen and pool toys, it’s worth taking a few minutes to see what you already have. In our house with three kids, summer brings a whole new set of stuff into the mix and a summer declutter is how I make sure we’re actually prepared for the season rather than drowning in it.

A quick clear-out now means less clutter, less money spent on things you already own and a home that’s actually ready for the warm months ahead. No more dozens of half-used sunscreen bottles and leaky googles. Here are 18 areas worth tackling before summer officially takes over.

18 Areas to Summer Declutter This Season

Pick one area or tackle them all — even 10 minutes on a single category makes a difference. Here’s where to start.

1. Sunscreen

Spend a few minutes going through your sunscreen supply.  I keep our families’ sunscreen in a handy Dollar Store bin in the laundry room so everyone knows exactly where it is.  Review what bottles are expired, empty or just super sandy and gross after long days in the bottom of your beach bag. 

2. Pool and Beach Towels

Yes, those colorful Turkish towels at Target are so cute.  But wait.  Don’t buy a new set of beach or pool towels until you know for sure you need them.  Declutter worn, threadbare towels or those that are too juvenile for your kids (i.e., the Paw Patrol towel is no longer of interest to my 12-year-old, lol), then only purchase what you need (if any).

Only keep the amount of towels you need, two per family member should be sufficient.  If you have a backyard pool and host guests, 6-8 extras are a good amount to keep on hand for guests or for the extra time spent swimming.

3. Swimsuits

No summer declutter is complete without a review of every family member’s swimsuits.  Kids especially wear swimsuits out quickly.  Remove any suits that are sagging, pilled or no longer fit well.  

4. Pool Toys

Does your family spend time a lot of time at the pool or have one in your backyard?  Declutter your pool toy selection before inviting friends over or hitting up your neighborhood spot.  Remove any flotation toys that have holes or are too weak to be fun and supportive.  Take a look through it all…swim goggles, water guns, diving sticks.  Keep only what you and your family actually use and items that are in good condition.  

Safety tip: Be sure any water-safety devices, such as lifejackets, are inspected carefully to be sure they fit properly and are in reliable working condition.  

5. Beach Toys and Gear

Do you live near the coast or frequent the beach during the summer?  Living in San Diego our family goes to the beach quite a bit.  I review our beach gear each summer to be sure we are well stocked for what we need and to see if anything needs to be removed. Remove items that are broken, beyond cleaning, and/or no longer serves their purpose.

Summer declutter beach items

• Sand toys (shovels, buckets, castle molds)
• Beach chairs 
• Beach wagon
• Coolers 
• Beach bag 
• Boogie boards
• Wetsuits and rash guards
• Umbrella or sun shade

6. Outdoor Furniture and Accessories

One of the best things about summer is outdoor lounging and eating.  Take a look at your patio furniture and outdoor accessories to see what is still in good condition, needs repair or needs to be replaced.  

Summer declutter outdoor living

• String lights
• Lanterns
• Cushions
• Rugs
• Throw pillows

7. Outdoor Tableware

If you enjoy alfresco dining, do a summer declutter of your outdoor tableware.  Only keep what you need based on the size of your family, if you entertain and how often you eat outdoors.  Toss, resell or recycle old or never used plates, platters, serving ware, wine glasses, and utensils.  

8. Outdoor Games

Love playing in the outdoors?  Take stock of your sporting equipment for summertime games such as tennis, pickleball, baseball, cornhole, beach games, sidewalk chalk, etc.  Declutter what your family no longer plays with, is broken or in terrible shape.

9. Garden and Lawn Supplies

If you garden or spend time in your yard during the summer, do a review of your lawn and garden supplies.  This includes your lawn mower, weed eater, etc. Have equipment repaired if need be.  If you no longer need items for this type of work but they are still in good working condition, donate or resell them to free up space in your garage. 

10. Camping Gear

Are you a camping family?  My husband camped for years with our boys as part of a father / son camping club. Camping gear can collect very quickly and all of a sudden you have every camping gadget or piece of equipment in your garage for the one time a year you go!  Be honest about your summer camping goals and declutter anything that’s in poor condition (and is unrepairable) or never gets used.

11. School Supplies

School’s out!  Do a summer declutter of the school supplies, papers and artwork that was brought home the last year of school. 

Summer declutter school supplies

• Worn out notebooks and folders
• Artwork that is simply not good (only keep the special, meaningful pieces)
• Worksheets, permission slips, and notes that are outdated
• Worn down pencils and crayons
• Dried out markers
• Stretched out or broken headphones 
• Books they are past the reading level (donate to library or give to friends)
• Projects that are too difficult to store (if really special take a photo to keep)

12. Water Bottles

We use refillable water bottles year-round and they seem to accumulate during the school year.  This is a good time for a water bottle declutter if they are taking over one of your kitchen cabinets (as mine start to do). 

Each family member needs one quality water bottle they use daily and possibly a back-up.  I prefer the same type of water bottle for everyone so they are all easy to clean together and store well in a cabinet.  

13. Pantry Items / Summer Foods

Summertime often means different types of eating and cooking (i.e., outdoor grilling).  Having children home from school during the summer may involve a change in meal planning (especially college kids back in the house).  

Before your next big grocery shop, declutter your pantry and fridge.  Get rid of expired foods or pantry goods you’ve had forever that no one will ever eat (i.e., the can of chickpeas for homemade hummus or canned pumpkin puree from two Thanksgivings ago). 

14. Summer Shoes

Review summer shoes to see what still fits (especially for kids) and is in good condition for another season of summer fun.  This includes flip flops, sandals (casual and dressy), water shoes, and hiking boots.  

15. Summer Clothing & Accessories

During the summer we wear different types of accessories as part of our wardrobe.  Declutter hats, sunglasses, swim coverups, hair accessories in poor condition or that you no longer use. Take it a step further and do a full clothing clean out of the summer items you no longer wear.

16. Summer Makeup and Beauty Products

If you adjust your beauty routine by season, do a summer declutter of your makeup and skincare products.  Get rid of colors that don’t flatter, too many duplicates of the same type of item and expired makeup.  This includes brushes and sponges too.  Skincare needs change during the hotter months.  Review your routine and remove anything that no longer works for you (and won’t save until winter).

17. Summer Home Decor

If you love to decorate your home for different seasons, take a look at your summer decor. Be honest about what you truly love and want to display as part of your home decor.  This declutter list may include home signs, candles, photo frames, knick-knacks, decorative pillows or throw blankets.  If you don’t love it, don’t put it out; only display what brings you joy.

18. Linens and Bedding

As part of your summer declutter go through the linen closet and remove any worn, threadbare summer sheets and comforters or duvets.  Review lightweight blankets and decorative throw pillows and only keep what is in good condition and worth having. This is helpful for a bedroom reset with the warmer months.

How to Stay Organized After Your Summer Declutter

Once you’ve decluttered, a few simple habits will keep things from piling back up again. Here’s how to stay on top of it through the season.

Tips on keeping your summer gear organized

• Keep like items with like – sunscreen in one basket, swimwear in the same drawer
• Keep sunscreen in a basket in a location where everyone knows it is (i.e., the laundry room or downstairs bathroom)
• Store beach and pool towels separate from bath towels so they don’t get mixed up
• Utilize hooks and racks for wet swimsuits and towels (an over-the-door hook or command hooks in the laundry room or bathroom)
• Keep a pool bag at the ready with pool toys, the pool key, etc. so you aren’t searching for these things every time you go swim
• Use an outdoor storage chest for pool and swim toys

A Few Summer Organization Favorites

Simple picks to keep your summer gear under control.

• Sunscreen storage caddy – this container is perfect for holding sunscreen bottles and taking them with you outside or to the pool.
• Over-the-door-hook rack – perfect for wet swimsuits and towels in the laundry room or bathroom so they don’t end up on the floor
• Outdoor storage chest – a waterproof bin is great for pool toys, beach gear and anything that lives outside
• Splash-proof pouches – these zippered bags are ideal for beach, pool, travel to contain sunscreen, snacks, dry/wet clothes

Enjoy a Lighter, Clutter-Free Summer

A summer declutter doesn’t have to be a big weekend project. A little at a time, category by category, and before long your home is ready for the season you actually want — relaxed, fun and not buried in stuff you don’t need. Enjoy every bit of it.