The Summer Decluttering Checklist You Didn’t Know You Needed

Summer is the perfect time to declutter your house! Grab this free printable Summer decluttering checklist to get started and make this summer break the most productive yet!

Let’s play a little game.

Think back to the last time you tried to organize your hall closet. You probably opened the door, stared at the pile of mismatched shoes, tangled cords, and a rogue Halloween costume… and then promptly shut the door and walked away.

Yup. Been there.

But what if I told you that summer, yes, sweet, sunshine-y summer, is actually the perfect time to tackle those decluttering projects you’ve been putting off since… forever?

I know. Decluttering might not be at the top of your summer bucket list, somewhere between beach trips and ice cream runs, but trust me, it should be. Because when the weather is warm and the school year chaos is on pause, it’s the best chance you’ve got to simplify your home and your headspace.

And I’m not sending you into the clutter jungle alone. I’ve got a free Summer Decluttering Checklist you can print out, hang on the fridge, and gleefully check off while blasting your favorite summer playlist.

Let’s get into it.

Why Summer is the Best Time to Declutter

Summer decluttering doesn’t exactly scream “summer fun,” but it’s honestly one of the best times to knock out the projects that have been sitting on your mental to-do list since January. You know the ones: organizing the garage, cleaning out your kids’ drawers, finally figuring out what’s actually in that hallway closet.

Why now? Because summer gives us a little breathing room. Schedules loosen up, daylight stretches longer, and motivation is easier to find when you’re not juggling five after-school activities and a crockpot dinner. Plus, it feels good to head into the fall with a cleaner space and less stress hanging over your head.

Here’s why summer might just be your secret hack for getting it done.

• More flexible schedules. Fewer school obligations mean more time (and mental space) to tackle big projects. Add it to your summer planner to make it even easier!
• Warm weather. Great for pulling everything out of the garage or shed without freezing your toes off.
• Prep before the chaos returns. The back-to-school rush and holidays come fast, and decluttering now helps you stay ahead.
• The kids are around. Which can be a blessing or a curse… but hey, at least they can help carry stuff to the donate pile. You can always promise them a summer bucket list adventure if they help!

What to Declutter During the Summer

Where do you even start? Decluttering can feel overwhelming if you don’t have a game plan, which is why beginning with seasonal items is a good idea. It’s easier to make decisions about what stays and what goes when you’re using the items (or are very aware that you’re not using them).

Start small, one area at a time. Think of it like spring cleaning’s chill cousin, no pressure, just progress.

Here are the top spots to declutter during the summer months:

Summer-Specific Items

Summer is hard on stuff. Between pool days, beach trips, and backyard BBQs, things get used a lot, and sometimes that means they’re looking a little worse for wear by mid-July.

This is one of the easiest places to start because it’s super satisfying. You’re not making sentimental decluttering decisions here. You’re just tossing the pool float that deflates in 20 seconds or the towel that smells like mildew, no matter how many times you wash it.

Here’s what to take a look at:

• Old pool floats that have more duct tape than vinyl.
• Beach towels that are stiff, frayed, or mysteriously crunchy.
• Expired sunscreen, no one wants a sunburn in the name of frugality.
• Outdoor toys that are broken, faded, or missing pieces.
• Coolers that smell like last summer’s potato salad.
• Flip-flops that leave you with sore feet and questionable tan lines.

Do a quick sweep of your summer gear, and be honest, if you didn’t use it last summer, you probably won’t use it this one either.

School-Year Clutter

Just because the school year is over doesn’t mean it didn’t leave behind a trail of chaos. Let’s be real: backpacks are still sitting where your kids dropped them on the last day of school, and lunchboxes may still be holding onto snacks from May (don’t open them without a hazmat suit).

Summer is the perfect time to reset and clear the decks before the next school year sneaks up on you.

Here’s where to start:

• Backpacks and lunchboxes. Empty them out, wash them, and donate or toss if they’re past their prime.
• Old school papers. Keep the treasures and memories, and recycle the rest.
• Supplies. Toss dried-out markers, crusty glue sticks, and broken crayons. Keep a bin of gently used items you can still use next year.
• Clothes and shoes. If they’re too small or totally worn out, they don’t need to be in your kid’s drawer anymore.

Bonus tip: Once you’ve cleared out the old, you’ll have space for fresh back-to-school supplies, without feeling overwhelmed or buried in clutter.

Closets and Drawers

Let’s talk about clothes. The stuff you wear, the stuff you used to wear, and the stuff you’re hanging onto for reasons unknown.

Closets are one of the most satisfying spaces to declutter because once you’re done, getting dressed in the morning is so much easier. No more digging through clothes that don’t fit, don’t flatter, or don’t even belong to you anymore.

Here’s your summer closet checklist:

• Swap seasonal clothing. Store winter gear and bring out summer favorites.
• Purge what doesn’t fit or feel good. If it makes you tug, squeeze, or sigh, it goes.
• Toss damaged or worn-out items. Goodbye to the stretched-out swimsuit and socks with holes.
• Declutter kids’ clothes. They grow fast; if it’s too small, it’s time to pass it on.

And yes, you can keep the cozy sweatshirt you love. This isn’t about being ruthless; it’s about making room for what works.

Kitchen & Pantry

Somehow, summer turns the kitchen into snack central. Between the extra meals at home, popsicle drips, and surprise cookouts, things can get messy fast. And let’s not even talk about the overflowing plastic cup cabinet or the avalanche of Tupperware with no lids.

Here’s what to look for:

• Check expiration dates on sauces, marinades, snacks, and pantry staples.
• Declutter drinkware. Toss mismatched cups, water bottles with missing lids, and sippy cups your kid outgrew two summers ago.
• Sort out food storage. Match lids with containers and let go of the solo pieces.
• Picnic and grilling gear. Keep what works, donate or toss what doesn’t.

Trust me, your future self will be thrilled when she opens the cabinet and doesn’t have an avalanche of random plastic bowls falling at her face.

How to Make Summer Decluttering Enjoyable

Okay, decluttering isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. But that doesn’t mean it has to be awful. In fact, with the right approach, it can feel… dare I say… kind of fun?

Or at least less annoying than usual. Here’s how to make it happen:

• Break it into small bites. No one’s decluttering their whole house in one day. Pick one area, set a timer for 20 minutes, and start there.
• Make it a vibe. Grab your headphones, turn on your favorite playlist or podcast, and go to town. A little Beyoncé can make anything feel possible.
• Reward yourself. Finished the garage? Treat yourself to your favorite iced coffee or sneak in a little quiet time with a good book.
• Let the kids help (strategically). Give them a bin and ask them to fill it with toys they no longer play with. Or let them sort socks (and by “let,” “bribe with popsicles”).

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. Turn it into something manageable and even a little empowering.

Grab Your Free Summer Decluttering Checklist

Need a little help getting started? I’ve got you.

I created a FREE Summer Decluttering Checklist that breaks everything down into simple, bite-sized areas, so you can track your progress and feel like the productive summer goddess you are.

Stick it on your fridge, pin it to your bulletin board, or stick it in your planner, and start checking things off at your own pace.

Let’s Chat

What’s the weirdest or funniest thing you’ve found while decluttering? I’ll go first: Just last week I was decluttering a cabinet above my microwave, and I found a piece of cookie cake from 6 months earlier that I had stuffed up there to hide it from my kids. No joke. Just vibes.

Drop your best decluttering finds in the comments. I need to know I’m not alone in the chaos!

And if you’re a Pinterest user, do me a favor and PIN this to your board for cleaning and decluttering tips – this is a GREAT way to support me!