8 Things To Declutter At The End Of Summer For A Major Closet Refresh

It's that time of year again, the morning air is a little more brisk, and the kids are back in school. You blinked, and summer is over. But your closet still remembers. From the musty beach towel you forgot to throw in the wash, your sandals with the broken strap lying on the floor, and all the clothes that got knocked off their hangers when you were deciding on which sundress to wear to the 4th of July barbecue. Your closet can quickly become the drop zone for all your summer memories. Hence, it's time to get rid of the old, damaged beach totes, toss those broken sandals, and donate those clothes that no longer fit — starting with the first item: Stretched-out swimwear. 

Not too many people think to do a cleanup at the end of summer — spring cleaning is what everyone thinks of when doing a deep clean. But let's be honest, cleaning and organizing should be more than a once-a-year event. Everyone has their go-to strategies that work best for decluttering their home. Some prefer Swedish death cleaning, others follow Marie Kondo's method, and still others prefer to wing it. But the goal is always to use a decluttering method that can make the process go much more smoothly. 

The truth is, there are many things you can declutter in August to be more organized for fall, but the only way you'll be successful is to start. And the easiest area to begin with is the closet. Once you've cleaned and organized it, you might even have the motivation to tackle the rest of the house.

Look, everyone's done it — holding on to that one pair of jeans, top, or dress that you've had since high school, praying one day you'll be able to wear it again. However, the reality is that bodies change. So it's time to get rid of something that doesn't make you look or feel your best. Create a few baskets: one for giving away, one for reselling, and one for keeping. Then, go through every piece of clothing and give it a designation. No cheating either — make sure to follow through and actually take the clothing to the donation place.

Season after season, the humble beach tote has seen it all. Depending on your family makeup, it may be time not just to toss an old beach tote, but have it quarantined. Finding old beach totes at the bottom of the closet can actually be a blessing, considering how often people forget to remove their belongings from them after a visit to the beach. You may finally find those long-lost sunglasses you've been looking for. In the spirit of decluttering, get rid of all of your old, damaged beach totes except one. And be sure that the tote you choose is a great multi-purpose bag.

If those sandals you wore on your Vegas trip are barely hanging on whenever you take them out for a stroll, it's time to toss them. During your declutter, grab a garbage bag and toss all shoes that don't fit — especially the ones whose original color is a mystery, and any that look like they're hanging by a thread — literally. And for the love of all that is good, do not hesitate to dispose of any footwear that retains an unpleasant odor long after being removed.

You've tried all of the tricks, even avoiding those laundry mistakes that make stains way worse, but that stubborn barbecue stain is not coming out of your white tank top. It's time to go through all of your clothes and check for stains, the evidence of all of your summertime fun. You can also check for sweat stains in the pits of shirts, grass stains on the knees of jeans/shorts, and any stubborn food stains. 

Let's be honest, when will you ever wear that Von Dutch trucker hat again? And while you're at it, that wide belt you've been holding on to? You know the one that could double as a ratchet strap? It probably needs to go. A better idea is to keep only a couple of neutral-colored belts (can pair with anything) and maybe one or two statement belts. The same goes for those worn and wonky bucket and wide-brimmed hats. Donate all those extra accessories to a consignment shop and free up your closet space.

You've been avoiding it since the middle of summer — that half-unpacked suitcase needs to be put out of its misery. You know the one, the suitcase you took on your summer vacay and never fully unpacked. It's time. Get everything out and put it away. Wash the clothes, fold and put away the outfit you never had a chance to wear, and hang up that cocktail dress. This is also a good time to vacuum and wipe out your luggage, using an antibacterial wipe to clean the exterior.

It is time. Sadly, the end of summer closet declutter means admitting that fall is on the way, and it's time to pull out those sweaters. One of the most significant ways to clean out your closet and make it easier to find things is to use dedicated totes for transitioning your wardrobe. Start taking out your least-worn summer clothes and swap each piece for a fall item. At the end of summer, store away your tote until the warm, sunny days return. Things will be neat and tidy in no time, and your closet will thank you for it.