As summer ends, minimalists know the season shift offers the perfect opportunity to clear out the things that quietly clutter your space and mind. Experts like Jade Piper and Chris Willatt help guide a practical and refreshing end of summer purge, one that does more than tidy up. You will learn exactly what to let go of, how to do it effectively, what tools are needed, how long it takes, what home improvements result, and the research or expert insight behind it. No vague statements here, only real advice you can act on right now rooted in expert recommendations.
1. Dead Potted Plants
Inspect each plant for brown brittle leaves, hollow stems, or sour smelling roots. If it is beyond recovery, compost the plant and thoroughly scrub the pot. Allowing the pot to dry before stacking saves time and space. Estimated time: 5 to 10 minutes per plant. Needed: compost or green waste bin, scrub brush, and drying rack or clean surface. This gives you cleaner storage and reduces pest risk. Jade Piper explains brown and brittle plants are done and that cleaning the pot facilitates easier and neater stacking later.
2. Sticky Outdoor Toys
Gather toys like pool rings, water blasters, inflatable sprinklers, and plastic shovels. Rinse and deep clean those still usable and discard those torn or too sticky. Cleaning plus sorting takes about 15 to 20 minutes for a typical child’s toy bin. Needed: warm water, mild soap, brush, trash and donation bags. This refreshes storage areas and prevents attracting pests or further mess. Jade Piper warns that stickiness worsens in storage, dirties other items, and attracts pests if ignored.
3. Shed and Garage Clutter
Empty your shed or garage completely, sweep or hose the floor, and wipe down shelves. Allow yourself around an hour. Then, for each item, ask if it was used in the past year. If not, donate or discard. Tools: broom, cleaning cloths, trash and donation bags, sturdy boxes. Result: easier access, tidier overall feel, clearer inventory of what truly matters. Chris Willatt emphasizes that summer often turns these spaces into dumping grounds and that clearing and cleaning them prepares you for better storage.
4. Worn Out Flip Flops and Faded Swimsuits
Empty your summer entryway pile. Try on swimsuits and examine for thinning lining, discoloration, or tears. Discard both poor looking swimsuits and worn flip flops, perhaps keep one backup pair. Allow about 15 minutes. Needed: mirror, garbage bag, optional donation bag for still wearable items. This frees wardrobe space and ensures what remains is functional and fresh. Piper recommends the try on test and examining fabric condition. Unused and shabby gear only clutters your closet.
5. Wobbly Folding Chairs
Collect all folding chairs used during summer. Tighten screws and if still unsteady or showing signs of rust, torn fabric, or sagging, discard them. Takes about 20 minutes including tightening test. Needed: screwdriver, trash or recycle bin. Removing unstable seating reduces safety hazards and makes storage neater and safer. Piper cautions that wobbly chairs are not just messy but also dangerous for future gatherings.
6. Old Electronic Cords and Cables
Gather all phone chargers, power cords, ethernet cables, and similar items in a drawer or box. Check which you have not used in the past year and recycle or discard extras. Thirty minutes is enough for a typical drawer. Needed: box or bag for recycling, labels or trash bin. It lightens your space, streamlines what you need when traveling, and reduces clutter. Willatt notes that cords accumulate unnoticed and create heavy unnecessary clutter.
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