6 Things to Declutter Before End of Summer
While fall doesn’t officially cramp summer’s style until September 22nd, there are hints of its pending arrival. The perceptible dip in the nighttime air and the diminishing days are telltale signs. And though I’m all in favor of soaking in the last bits of summer, I start to get antsy around this time, eager to retire the caftans for the raglans (really wanted this one to rhyme, not sure who owns raglans). But before I tuck everything away for the season, I like to take stock of what’s working and what’s not, so I can start completely fresh for next summer (classic Home Organizer move!).
Here’s what I recommend decluttering:
Expired Sunscreen. As a general rule, sunscreen lasts about three years if it’s stored in a cool, dry place. Some sunscreen bottles will list their expiration date, but others won’t. If the texture is watery and grainy with an off smell, just toss in the trash instead of back in your “random summer sunscreen bin.” This way, you’ll have a fresh collection of sunscreens to pull from for next summer. Easy breezy!
Beach Towels Past Their Prime. Beach towels can be whatever you want them to be. They can be chic and patterned, or they can be blah and striped (I’m in the latter camp). But when they start to become excessively frayed, faded, and hole-y, it’s time to literally throw in the towel. Consider donating these to a local animal shelter, which are used to line pets’ crates and keep them cozy and warm.
Beach Bags. I’ve seen many beach bag collections in my day, and we could all stand to drop a few of those anchor-happy totes. All this to say, before retiring your beach bags for the summer, pull everything out and assess which are beyond the (beach) pail, and which are in good condition. Donate those unused beach bags, and use the totally worn out ones to transport other donation items.
Stretched out Swimwear. There’s nothing sadder than a stretched out swimsuit, especially if it was a fave in the swimwear rotation. I’ve reluctantly parted with several one-pieces this past summer, as the lycra was loose and saggy instead of comfortably supportive. So before shoving all those swimsuits away in a drawer until you meet again, pull them out out and bid adieu to the ones that have seen better days.
Flip flops and sandals that no longer resemble flip flops or sandals. We all have that pair of summer sandals we’ve quite literally worn to the ground. If the soles have thinned to the width of a papyrus sheet, it’s time to toss. We don’t want any foot trouble here, thank you very much! And if your flip flop thong has separated from its sole(mate), simply toss instead of tossing back in your closet. Same goes for the strap on your broken sandal. Consider repairing now so you don’t have to deal later.