Free Printable Summer Decluttering Checklist
Here is a free printable summer decluttering checklist that you can use to get rid of clutter around your home when summer begins.
I love when the season turns to summer, with the long hot days, and a feeling of more free time, don't you? It's finally warm, with no need for a jacket or light coat even, and the growing season in full bloom.
Summer can almost feel like the beginning of a new year, especially if you've got school aged kids, since they're out of school for the summer and need to get into their summer routine.
While enjoying this change of season make sure to get spring clutter out of your home, to get ready for these new beginnings and to get ready for all the increased activity in and around your home that comes with summer fun.
Below is my checklist of things you should declutter from your home in the summer to get you going (I've listed them first in the article itself, with links to other articles on the site which will help you do all these decluttering tasks, and then below that is the the free printable PDF version of this checklist).
Please note, many of these decluttering tasks will look familiar, because many of them are items I've added to the Declutter 365 calendar around when the season changes from spring to summer, mainly in the months of June, July and August.
Summer Checklist
Seasonal Decorations From Spring
There are seasonal and holiday decorations you may have used this past spring, such as for Easter, that it's time to put away now that this holiday is over, and also it's summer instead of spring! If you're going to use them again don't get rid of them, jus put them away, but if you don't want to use these items again, or never even got them out it may be time to actually get rid of them from your home.
You can get tips for decluttering spring decorations here.
Kids School Papers & Artwork
Summer means that school is out for school-aged kids, and that means it is the perfect time to tackle all of those school papers and artwork that the kids have created and brought home during the past school year.
Getting rid of some (not all) of these items can be difficult, especially deciding what you should keep versus save. To help I've go this article which lists 6 questions to ask when decluttering kids art and school papers to help you confirm, for yourself, that you've made the right decisions.
Indoor Games & Toys
Summer is one of those times of year where kids are home more, and therefore toys get played with a lot, which makes it a great opportunity to look at what the kids have and get rid of the clutter.
Toys that have become clutter are those which your kids no longer play with (perhaps they've outgrown them), or they're broken or missing pieces and have therefore transformed into junk. Those are the types of toys that need to head out the door this summer.
You can get tips for decluttering toys here.
In addition, you can learn more about how to declutter games here.
Baby Gear, Supplies & Equipment {Plus Other Items Kids Have Outgrown}
Kids grow up, and things they used to need or want become too babyish for them, or they otherwise outgrow those items.
Summer is a time where I always seem to notice my kids growth, when they're home more, I'm not quite so busy like I am in the school year, and I'm thinking about the end of them in one grade and moving up to the next.
Therefore, summer is a great time to get rid of any items you realize your kids have outgrown, such as baby gear, supplies and equipment, as well as kids plates and bowls, toys (mentioned above since it's such a big category), or even clothes and shoes (although we really focus on kids clothes and shoes in fall and spring, but hey, when kids are growing like weeds sometimes it's necessary to deal with these items even more frequently).
Eat From The Pantry & Freezer To Consume Excess Stored Food
Stocking up with food for your pantry and freezer is a good idea, to help you save money, and make sure you've got enough food in case of bad weather or when you're really busy. But at some point you've got to make sure you eat up that food as well, so it doesn't go to waste.
Summer is a perfect time to do that, so I suggest during this season that you do an Eat From The Pantry & Freezer Challenge to reduce food waste, save money, and declutter your pantry and freezer all at the same time. You can supplement this food with fresh produce to have the best of both worlds!
The link provides more information about this challenge, and provides ideas and resources for you, to make it as easy as possible.
Large Items That Need To Be Removed From Home {Old Appliances, Furniture, Etc.}
Sometimes there are some big items that have been languishing inside your home that need to go, but are big so they're hard to move.
This could include all types of things, from large old appliances, furniture, big and heavy old electronics like old television sets, and more.
There's never going to be a really easy time to get rid of these items, but summer is one of the best seasons to do it. You can call someone to help bring a large truck, or be the people who'll lift and carry these heavy items, and then haul them off to wherever they need to go.
Here's some guides to help you get rid of some of these large items, especially when you don't know where they should go once they're out of your home. The first is for disposing of large appliances.
In addition, here's one about getting rid of old electronics.
Basement Storage Areas
Since the weather is hot in the summer, it makes it harder to clear out some of your big storage areas comfortably, like your garage or attic. Your basement, on the other hand, is probably relatively cool in comparison, even in the summer, which makes summer a great time to tackle this storage area in your home.
Here are tips for decluttering your basement.
Storage Rooms & Closets
Just like summer is the perfect time to tackle your basement clutter, since it's cooler in the house than outside this time of year (assuming you've got air-conditioning), the same logic applies to storage rooms and closets inside your home.
Use summer to clear out these spaces and make some good progress in keeping and storing only important items, and not over-packing and stuffing these storage areas in your home.
Here are tips for decluttering storage rooms in your home.
Here Is Your Free Printable Checklist
Below is the printable version of this checklist, available in PDF format.
Click Here To Get Your Free Checklist
(opens into a PDF in a new window)
I hope this summer decluttering checklist helps you get ready for the changing season around your home.
If your kids will be home from school all summer, make sure to also check out these 5 tips for planning your summer routine with your kids.
In addition, if you want to get ready for the next season, make sure to also check out the fall decluttering checklist here on this site.
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