7 Things You Should Declutter Before Spring, According to Organizing Pros

By: Ashley Chalmers

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• Decluttering before spring cleaning can make the cleaning overhaul easier and less daunting.
• Clear out the most popular spaces first, as those clutter quickly and make the out-of-the-way stuff more feel accessible.
• Always cut down on things you have too much of, like products, winter clothes, and kids’ toys.

Before diving headfirst into spring cleaning, it’s always a good idea to declutter first. This way, you can more easily access all the hidden places in your home that need a major clean, and clear out some space for a fresh, new season ahead. If done well, the end result will be a breezy, beautiful home that’s ready for warmer weather.

But where to begin? We turned to a few of our favorite cleaning and organizing pros for their advice on the top spots to declutter ahead of springtime.

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Meet the Expert

• Jenny Dietsch is the chief executive organizer at Getting It Done Organizing.
• Forrest Webber is a professional cleaner and the owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning.
• Steven Ip is a professional cleaner and organizer, and the owner of Cleanzen.

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High-Traffic Areas

The best place to start, says professional organizer Jenny Dietsch, is with your home’s high-traffic areas. These hotspots will vary depending on your household, but for most people closets, pantries, and entryways all qualify as great starting points.

“If you didn’t wear [or use an item] all winter, it’s time to donate it,” says Dietsch. “As for the pantry, toss expired items and reorganize snacks and staples into clear bins so everything is easy to find.”

Once your high-traffic areas are decluttered, Dietsch says it’s also important to assess or set up your organization systems. You can even do this as you go, but the important thing is to create a plan that you know you’ll keep.

“The goal is to make your home function better and keep running that way,” she says. “A little organization now will make daily life smoother well beyond spring.”

Cluttered Surfaces

Along with high-traffic areas, professional cleaner and organizer Steven Ip says you should also take a look at your most cluttered surfaces. Then, clear things off accordingly.

“[This] ensures that once spring cleaning starts, you’re not wasting time moving unnecessary items around,” he says.

Common problem surfaces include kitchen and bathroom countertops, night stands, and home offices. Ip suggests sorting through whatever the biggest clutter causes are in these areas and using this time to create careful and well-labeled organizational systems.

Kitchen Gadgets

If you’re looking for a niche decluttering project, professional cleaner Forrest Webber says pre-spring cleaning is also a great time to pull out and fully assess all your unused kitchen gadgets. 

From waffle irons to spice grinders, these tiny gadgets get shoved out of sight pretty easily—which usually means they’re in need of a major culling. Best of all, once completed, you’ll instantly create more space in the kitchen, or it might remind you of something you had forgotten about.

“Consider donating items not used in the last year,” says Webber, but anything that’s faulty or broken should be disposed of safely and correctly.

Bathroom Cabinets and Closets

Your bathrooms are another critical area that should be decluttered before they’re deep cleaned. Sift through your cabinets, closets, and drawers for expired and half-used products, or toss anything you’re sure you won’t use again.

“After you declutter and wipe out drawers, implement dividers or bins to keep your items tidy,” says Dietsch.

The Garage

Everyone always thinks about swapping out their seasonal wardrobe, but with warmer weather on its way, Webber says now is also a great time to tackle your seasonal items in the garage. Sort through tools and sports equipment, and clear out anything you don’t need for the spring or summer.

“Decluttering before you proceed with a deep clean is necessary to remove excess items and make cleaning the area easier,” says Webber.

The Coat Closet

Managing your entryway clutter is one thing, but clearing out your coat closet is a whole other beast. However, Dietsch says it must be done, and doing it ahead of spring cleaning is the ideal time.

Along with doing a seasonal swap, Dietsch suggests installing hooks if needed and creating a most streamlined system in general, cutting down daily messes.

Kids’ Toys and Books

If you have little ones at home, you know how quickly they grow—and outgrow. After the chaos of the holidays and ahead of a new season is a great time to take a look at all their toys and pick anything broken or outgrown.

“Set clear boundaries to keep clutter from creeping back in,” says Dietsch. “A great rule of thumb is if it’s expired, broken, or unused in the last year, let it go.”

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READ MORE:

• 7 Things You Should Declutter Before Spring, According to Organizing Pros
• 10 Ways to Decorate Your Home Like an Interior Designer
• What Is a Rimless Toilet? The Water-Saving Upgrade Your Bathroom Needs
• 9 Surprising Ways to Use Glass Cleaner Around the Home
• 7 Habits People With Clean Homes Always Follow

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