21 Fall Decluttering Tips To Make Your Life Easier

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Autumn in New England is just stunning! I love so many things about Autumn. The feeling of a fresh start always energizes me and fall represents a productive period after a slower paced summer.

Getting ready for a New England winter makes me feel like a hunter and gatherer from back in the day. I always start my fall decluttering by doing my outdoor tasks first because this is a great excuse to squeeze the last awesome weather out of the warm season.

Outdoor Fall Decluttering Tips

Declutter Outdoor and Garden Equipment

Clean and store outdoor tools, furniture, and gardening supplies. Donate or dispose of any broken or unused items to prevent clutter from piling up in storage.

I love to keep my vegetable garden clean as each crop is harvested. This makes the end of the season easy for me.

It is a good bet that if you haven't used things in any given season, you likely won't use them again. This is a good opportunity to donate things to a local charity, or you can easily sell things on Facebook Marketplace if you want to recoup some money.

Declutter Your Vehicle
Remove any summer gear or unnecessary clutter from your car. Prepare it for cooler weather by storing essentials like an emergency kit or blankets.

Summer Toys
Spending a little bit of extra time putting things like kayaks and water toys away clean is a great treat when next summer rolls around and everything is ready to start enjoying!

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Clothing

When it starts getting chillier it is sweater weather! It is nature's nudge to get your warm clothes ready and pack your summer things up 'til next season - if this is how you manage your clothing. I am not a clothing enthusiast so I leave all seasons of clothing in my closet year-round, except outerwear and boots.

Declutter Summer Clothing and Accessories
Sort through warm-weather items like swimsuits, sandals, and shorts. Donate or discard anything that is worn out or no longer fits before storing the rest for next year.

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Donate

Donating clothing that you don't wear is such a cool thing to do, especially outerwear. Thrift shop clothing is popular among people who may be experiencing financial trouble and your donations may be the difference between some staying warm or enduring a cold winter season.

Resource Guide

Get your free copy of the Resource Guide I put together. This booklet shows you how to easily donate most items large and small and usually free of charge- even treadmills!

Organize the Entryway or Mudroom

Remove any summer shoes, hats, or gear cluttering the entryway. Make room for coats, boots, and other cold-weather essentials.

Prepare the Closet for Cooler Weather

Swap out lighter clothes for cozy sweaters, scarves, and jackets. Store off-season items and donate anything you didn’t wear over the summer.

Inspect and Declutter Footwear

Check shoes for wear and tear. Donate or discard any pairs you no longer need, and make room for boots or weather-appropriate footwear.

Kitchen and Bath

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Sort Through Linens and Bedding
Rotate or replace lighter linens with warmer bedding. Donate old or unused blankets and sheets to free up space. This is also a good time to let go of the thread bare towels too. Old towels make great rags!

Tackle the Pantry and Fridge
Check for expired spices, condiments, and pantry items. Clear the space for fall ingredients like canned goods, soups, and baking essentials.

Check out some more Ideas & Tips To Declutter & Organize Kitchen Spices.

Clear Out Bathroom Cabinets
Get rid of expired medications, sunscreen, or summer skincare products. Make space for moisturizers and other fall and winter skincare essentials. Take an extra minute and wipe shelves down. I use a vinegar and water solution for cleaning most things.

More Kitchen Decluttering Tips!

Check out the Kitchen Declutter Checklist | 24 Things to Toss & Organize!

Miscellaneous Fall Decluttering Tips

Assess and Donate Unused Household Items
Go through each room and identify items you haven’t used in the past year. Donate or sell these items to reduce clutter and make space for the colder season.

Remember to keep the heat register areas free and clear of clutter for maximum efficiency.

Another thing to get in the habit of doing is changing the batteries for smoke and carbon dioxide alarms. This could save a life!

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Organize Hobbies and Crafts Supplies
If you have seasonal hobbies (like knitting or puzzles), gather the supplies you’ll use and store others neatly. Donate any unused craft supplies to free up space.

List the items you no longer use on your local Facebook yard sale group, and leave them out for an easy porch pickup. They will be picked up quickly!

Check Seasonal Decorations
Pull out holiday or fall decorations and assess what you want to keep. Donate or discard broken or unwanted decor before bringing out new seasonal items. Always check what you have before you buy new things. Funny how holiday decorations seem to multiply from season to season!

Office

Declutter Your Workspace
Organize your desk, get rid of old papers, and prepare your workspace for productive fall and winter months. Clear your mental space by reducing visual clutter. You will be far more productive if you don't waste time looking for the things you need!

Sort Through Paper Clutter
Review old paperwork, mail, and school-related documents. Shred or recycle anything unnecessary and create an organized system for new papers coming in. Scanning and digital filing systems go a long way to reducing paper clutter.

Check this article out for tips to live (almost) paperless!

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Declutter Technology
Go through devices, cables, and chargers. Recycle or donate any electronics you no longer need, and clear space on your phone or computer for a fresh start. Always backup your data to the cloud or an external hard drive before you start.

Tackling these tasks in the fall helps create a fresh, organized environment to enjoy the season and prepare for the upcoming months.

Happy Decluttering!

Photo byMarj Bates

Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.

For more Declutter Buzz & Freebies check out our safe and private Decluttering community on our Facebook page. We are a safe and private space of like minded folks tackling this all encompassing clutter thing once and for all. No shame allowed! We will have a few laughs too!

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