“August is a natural reset,” says organizer Rachel Rosenthal of Rachel & Company. As summer comes to an end and back-to-school madness approaches, this month is the perfect golden window to clean out what’s no longer working for your home or your sanity. The mission? Enter fall with rooms that work for you, not against you.
When: Late summer is the ideal moment to attack high-traffic areas, packed storage, and those overlooked nooks and crannies where clutter tends to congregate. Tackling the proper categories now will clear up physical room and mental space before routines go into high drive. What to get rid of this August, according to professionals and why it makes a difference.
1. Expired Pantry Staples
At the end of a summer of grill-outs and spontaneous gatherings, pantries tend to have a few surprises in store dried-out crackers, half-used marinades, and stale spices come to mind. Neat Method NYC’s Louisa Roberts suggests taking everything out, scanning the dates, and grouping like with like. “Sauce with sauces, snacks with snacks,” she advises, noting labeled bins maintain visibility while keeping waste minimal.
An organized pantry is worth it when weeknight suppers become chaotic. Trish Johnson of This Organized Chaos says that knowing what you have ensures against too much buying and makes meal prep quicker. For added efficiency, use the “first in, first out” system so older foods are consumed before they go bad.
2. Worn-Out Summer Gear
Uninflated pool floats, broken goggles, and worn-out beach towels are not worth the storage room. “You just went through using everything for the season, so take a glance at summer‑only items and purge old, broken, or beyond‑their‑useful‑life items,” advises Johnson. She recommends donating expired towels to animal shelters instead of discarding them.
Rachel Rosenthal chimes in that if it didn’t get utilized this summer, next year is no guarantee. Shucking these things now will make next summer arrive with crisp, functional equipment rather than a heap of letdowns.
3. Children’s Schoolwork and Projects
The last of summer is the perfect time to rummage through last summer’s deluge of schoolwork. Roberts recommends retaining only truly special items artwork, exceptional writing and putting them away in one memory bin per child. This set limit keeps sentimental clutter from spiraling out of control.
For a twist of modernity, parents are converting keepsakes into photo albums. Photographing memorable projects and putting them together in albums allows you to maintain memories without being overwhelmed with paper. The added advantage? Children enjoy browsing their “greatest hits” much more than rummaging through dusty file boxes.
4. Garage Overflow
Garages are infamous for being the home’s “junk drawer.” Johnson suggests taking a weekend to take everything out, sort into keep donate trash piles, and organize what’s left. Roberts recommends wall-mounted systems and labeled, stackable containers to make the most of vertical space and keep things within easy reach.
August is the best time for this project because you’re still attuned to what outdoor equipment you actually used this summer. Weed out duplicate tools, broken sporting equipment, and any mystery boxes you’ve not opened in years.
5. Unused Household Items
From seasonal decorations you’ve lost affection for to dusty gadgets, August is the month to be merciless. “Donate or discard things you really no longer use or love,” Johnson advises. Not only does it clear up space but also mental clutter.
Parents need to prioritize playrooms. Before holiday gift season is just months away, clearing space now avoids toy overload down the line. Roberts suggests labels and bins to keep kids tidy once editing is completed.
6. Summer Snacks and Condiments
Refrigerators and freezers are just as likely to be culprits as pantries when it comes to holding past-due items. Laurie Hise recommends dumping on forgotten fruits and vegetables, freezer-burned foods, and half-used condiments. Clean the shelves as you go to set up a clean slate for fall meal planning.
Having a “first in, first out” system here is also a wonder. Put new buys behind previous ones so you automatically grab what must be used up first, cutting down waste and keeping you within your food budget.
7. Outgrown or Worn Seasonal Clothing
Before packing away summer wardrobes, remove anything that no longer fits or looks worn. Emily Kate Johnson suggests adding a donation bin to your laundry room for easy, ongoing edits. This way, you’re not storing clothes you’ll never wear again.
Personal style expert Laurie Hise advises to move beyond the closet: “Plunge into sock drawers full of mismatches, pajamas stretched to recognition, and gym wear with sweat stains outnumbering ideas.” Decluttering these now makes room for fall essentials and streamlines morning routines.
August decluttering isn’t about perfection it’s about setting yourself up for a smoother, calmer season ahead. By tackling these key categories now, you’ll step into fall with spaces that feel lighter, more functional, and ready for whatever the school year throws your way.
