7 Things to Throw Away on Labor Day Weekend to Have a Tidy Home

We hate to break bad news to you, but Labor Day is just around the corner. Are you excited for fall and looking to make the most of the long weekend? Why not spend a few hours cleaning and organizing? That doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything. everything in your house, but it’s a smart use of your time. Here’s what to declutter over Labor Day weekend.

Stock items

Have you spent a lot of time at Costco this summer? Then your pantry probably needs a serious clean-out, says Kenzie Harkey, founder of Simply Dare and professional organizer. “Declutter your pantry to make sure there aren’t any expired or spoiled foods taking up unnecessary space,” she says. “This will make room for new food as you prepare for more meals at home this fall.”

Chilled items

The fridge can turn out to be an abyss of lost leftovers. Whether it’s that new yogurt flavor you never tried (and is now expired) or that lonely piece of broccoli in a container you probably should have just thrown away, there’s a lot that needs to go. “It’s so easy to lose track of food in fridges that are crammed with lots of food, leftovers, and condiments,” explains Harkey. “It’s a good idea to declutter and clean your fridge quarterly to make sure it’s fresh and not harboring additional bacteria.”

Disorder in the command center

Prepare the kids for school early by cleaning out your command center. “At the beginning of the school year, make sure you reorganize your command center, which typically houses a family calendar and mail drop zone,” she says. “Having this area cleaned up will give you peace of mind knowing you’re starting the new school year off on the right foot.”

Coats, backpacks and shoes

Your entryway and closet could probably use a thorough declutter, too. “Entryway closets are often used to store coats, backpacks, shoes, and possibly cleaning supplies, pet supplies, or stroller accessories if you have young children,” says Harkey. Throw out anything that no longer fits or is no longer worn.

Medicine Cabinet Products

Do you really need every last drop of sunscreen, especially if it expires next month? If you’re going on a decluttering course, play it safe and do it right. Look around your bathroom for expired products, nearly empty containers, and things you tried this summer but maybe didn’t like, like that smelly bottle of bug spray.

Summer equipment

Have you noticed a hole in your flotation device? Why is it still in the garage? Have your kids finally outgrown their goggles? Give them away or throw them in the trash. Even those worn-out beach towels have seen better days. Don’t wait until Memorial Day to get rid of broken, old, or unusable summer gear.

Damaged clothing

Did you spill wine on your favorite white shirt? Is it beyond saving? Maybe you just need to say goodbye to it. That tennis dress that ripped when you fell playing pickleball? Throw it away and replace it during the big Labor Day sale. You should also purge unwanted sweaters, jackets, and other fall clothes. While this may be challenging, the good news is that it will give you extra space for new things.