Summer Declutter Checklist (room by room)

The beginning of a new season is always my favorite time to go through my house and declutter. The long days of summer give me an extra boost of motivation! Don’t miss a thing with this summer declutter checklist.

We’ll go room by room and cover all of the basics, as well as some of the more unique things you may not have thought of. Your house will feel brand new after you complete this checklist!

As a busy mom with 8 kids, decluttering is my biggest hack for thriving in the chaos of motherhood.

A tidy, organized house makes a huge difference in how I feel mentally, and in my ability to keep our spaces clean!

Keeping just what you use, love, and need is so helpful to simple living, no matter your house size or lifestyle.

As we head into the summer season, now is a great time to declutter all of the things you no longer need!

Broken items, excess and duplicates, or even items you just don’t love anymore, can find a new home as you keep yours clean and spacious.

I know decluttering can be immensely overwhelming, so I made this thorough summer declutter checklist to help!

Follow along room by room and tackle every item on the list. By the time you get to the end of the list, your house will be so much more breathable and tidy!

The Key to Summer Decluttering

As you assess what to keep and what to get rid of, the most important way to vet an item is to answer the question, “How often have I used it in the last year?” This is a good way to gauge if it’s worth the space it’s taking up.

For me, when I go through to declutter, I always ask, ” When was the last time I used it, and exactly when will I be using this next?”

I often find that the things I kept but rarely used were never actually missed once I chose to declutter.

With that in mind, let’s get started decluttering! I am starting with the kitchen, but you should start in whichever room feels most manageable and most exciting to you.

Kitchen

I like to tackle the kitchen first when I’m decluttering, because it’s the room in my house that gets the most daily use. Being able to enjoy my clutter-free cabinets, countertops, pantry, and refrigerator gives me a lot of motivation to tackle the rest of the house!

• Food storage containers with missing lids
• Cracked, warped, or deeply stained plastic containers
• Small appliances you never use (extra blender, juicer, bread maker)
• Unused single-use gadgets and duplicate utensils (garlic press, avocado slicer, 3 spatulas)
• Chipped mugs and the overflowing mug collection
• Mismatched plates and bowls
• Worn or stained dish towels, pot holders, and oven mitts
• Tablecloths, placemats, and cloth napkins you never use
• Takeout menus, condiment packets, and twist ties
• Excess plastic and reusable grocery bags
• Water bottles and travel mugs with no matching lids
• Cookbooks you never open
• Expired pantry items and spices past their prime
• Refrigerator and freezer: old leftovers, forgotten jars, freezer-burned food

Bathroom

You might not think of the bathroom as a place to be decluttered, but you’ll be surprised by how much stuff accumulates in there! I suggest going through every drawer and evaluating the products and other toiletries that may never get used.

• Old or unused makeup and product samples
• Nearly empty bottles you’re “saving”
• Old nail polish
• Stained, thin, or scratchy washcloths and towels
• Old toothbrushes and toothbrush heads
• Worn-out hairbrushes and broken hair tools
• Expired sunscreen and lotions
• Hotel toiletries you’ll never use
• Old loofahs, sponges, and razors
• Hair ties and clips past their prime
• Moldy or dingy shower curtain liner

Bedroom & Closet

A new season is the perfect time to go through your clothes from last season and evaluate what was worn and what should be donated. While you’re sorting through the closet and bedroom, be sure to look in nightstands and other storage containers for non-clothing items that you no longer need!

• Clothes that don’t fit or haven’t been worn in a year
• Worn shoes and broken or never-worn accessories
• Wire hangers and excess hangers
• Worn, stained, and extra bed linens
• Nightstand clutter (old receipts, dead pens, stray cords)
• Broken or never-worn jewelry
• Belts, scarves, and hats you haven’t used in a year

Linen Closet

The linen closet is often forgotten when decluttering, which is all the more reason to add it to the list! You may be surprised at how many old or rarely used linens you have gathering dust.

• Duplicate or mismatched sheet sets
• Mismatched pillowcases
• Thin, worn bath mats
• Extra blankets and comforters nobody uses
• Worn cloth napkins and table linens

Living Room

Now is a great time to give your living room a refresh! Be sure to check side table drawers and other storage areas for any items that may be hiding out of sight.

• Old magazines, catalogs, and newspapers
• DVDs and CDs you haven’t used in a year
• Board games and puzzles with missing pieces
• Old remotes and unidentified cords
• Worn throw pillows and blankets
• Decor you no longer love

Kids’ Room

The break between school years is the perfect time to get your kids’ room organized and decluttered. It’s a good reset before back-to-school supplies and clothes shopping begins. Depending on the age of your children, this can also be an opportunity to get them involved and teach the basics of decluttering as you go!

• Broken toys and toys with missing pieces
• Outgrown clothes and shoes
• Dried-up art supplies, such as markers and empty glue sticks
• Old school papers and worn-out backpacks
• Outgrown books, games, and toys
• Unloved or duplicate stuffed animals
• Dress-up clothes and costumes that are falling apart

Home Office & Paper Clutter

Office and paper clutter feels like it’s never-ending, but the more often you tackle it, the less daunting it is. Take this opportunity to file away important paperwork, tidy up your workspace, and get rid of anything that’s no longer serving you. Your brain will feel clearer next time you sit down at your desk!

• Junk mail and old paperwork
• Dried-out pens and broken supplies
• Dead and old batteries
• Manuals for items you no longer own
• Outdated electronics, chargers, and cables
• Business cards you’ll never use
• Old planners and half-used notebooks

Entryway, Mudroom & Laundry

Now that summer is here and your mudroom isn’t piled high with snow boots and winter coats, it’s time to get it decluttered!

• Shoes nobody wears
• Odd gloves and outgrown coats
• Almost-empty cleaning bottles
• Dried-up markers and broken umbrellas
• Mystery keys

Garage & Storage

You might have to let your husband do this one! The garage can quickly become a catch-all for items that don’t have a dedicated spot. Summer is a great time to go through it and get rid of the excess. Be sure to dispose of oil-based paint, car fluids, and other hazardous waste properly.

• Broken tools and rusted hardware
• Boxes you’ve never unpacked
• Old paint cans and half-used supplies
• Duplicate or expired cleaning products
• Sporting and exercise gear nobody uses
• Gift bags, wrap, and boxes you’re saving

What to Do With What You’re Letting Go

The last step in decluttering is actually getting the items out of your home and to their final destination. You don’t want boxes of stuff sitting in the entryway for the next several months!

It’s important to responsibly dispose of your items and avoid the landfill as much as possible. Here are your options for what to do next:

• Donate: Clothes, linens, and household items that are in good shape
• Sell: Small appliances and furniture worth a little cash
• Repurpose/reuse: Jars, containers, and bottles around the home. I have some ideas in my post, 12 Items to Reuse Around Your House!
• Recycle: Paper, electronics, and packaging
• Toss: Only what’s truly broken, stained, or unusable

Conclusion

If overwhelm is holding you back from decluttering your house, the best way to get started is to choose one room to focus on and just start! As you see your space become cleaner, it will encourage you to do more.

I hope this list helps you tackle the clutter and enjoy your home more this summer. Let me know which room you’ll take on first in the comments below!