12 Items to Throw Out in June, According to Organizers

Why June Is the Best Month to Declutter Your Home

There is something about the shift into summer that makes people want to breathe a little easier — both literally and figuratively. The days are longer, the energy is lighter, and the urge to open windows and let fresh air in naturally extends to the spaces around us. Professional organizers agree: June is one of the most powerful months of the year to reset your home and release the clutter that has quietly accumulated since the holidays. If you have been putting off a deep declutter, this is your sign to finally get started.

The transition from spring cleaning into early summer is a golden window. School years are wrapping up, seasonal wardrobes are shifting, and routines are changing. All of that natural movement makes it the ideal time to ask yourself what truly belongs in your life — and what has simply been taking up space. To help you get focused, professional organizers have identified 12 specific categories of items you can confidently throw out this June without looking back.

1. Expired Sunscreen and Summer Skincare Products

As you pull out your warm-weather skincare, check every expiration date. Sunscreen loses its effectiveness after its expiration date, meaning you could be applying a product that offers little to no UV protection. Toss anything that is expired, separated, or smells off. Your skin deserves reliable protection this summer.

2. Last Year's Sunglasses With Scratched Lenses

Scratched lenses are not just aesthetically unpleasant — they can actually strain your eyes and reduce UV protection. If you held onto a pair of sunglasses from last summer hoping to "get around to replacing them," June is the time to let them go and invest in a new pair before peak sunshine season hits.

3. Worn-Out Flip Flops and Summer Footwear

Pull out your summer shoe collection and do a ruthless audit. Flip flops that have lost their arch support, sandals with broken straps, or sneakers with worn-down soles are doing your feet no favors. Proper foot support matters more than most people realize, and a fresh pair of summer shoes can make a significant difference in your daily comfort.

4. Swimwear That No Longer Fits or Holds Its Shape

Swimwear is one of those items people hold onto far longer than they should. If a swimsuit has lost its elasticity, faded beyond recognition, or simply no longer fits the way it should, it is time to release it. Keeping only swimwear that makes you feel confident and comfortable will make getting ready for beach or pool days much more enjoyable.

5. Old Magazines and Catalogs From Winter

That stack of winter catalogs, holiday magazines, and fitness guides from January is unlikely to serve you now. Professional organizers consistently point to paper clutter as one of the biggest contributors to a chaotic home environment. Recycle anything you have not referenced in the last three months, and commit to a more digital approach going forward if possible.

6. Outdated or Broken Outdoor Entertaining Supplies

Before your first summer gathering, go through your outdoor supplies. Cracked plastic cups, faded paper plates from two summers ago, discolored tablecloths, and citronella candles that have burned down to nothing should all be evaluated. Only keep what is genuinely usable. Starting fresh with a small, curated collection of outdoor entertaining essentials is far better than a crowded cabinet full of unusable items.

7. Dried-Out Gardening Supplies

Check your shed or garage for old seed packets past their planting dates, dried-up fertilizer, cracked garden hoses, and worn-out gloves. These items often accumulate over multiple seasons without anyone noticing. Clearing them out not only frees up storage space but also helps you take a clear inventory of what you actually need for this summer's garden.

Quick Checklist for the Garage and Shed

Seed packets past their use-by date
Fertilizer or soil amendments that have hardened
Cracked or kinked garden hoses beyond repair
Broken tools or tools missing handles
Empty or dried-up pesticide and herbicide containers

8. Kids' Outdoor Toys They Have Outgrown

June is the time children start spending more hours outside, which makes it the perfect moment to audit the outdoor toy situation. Bikes that are too small, trampolines with torn safety nets, and sandbox toys your kids haven't touched in two years can be donated, sold, or discarded. Freeing up outdoor space creates room for more meaningful summer play.

9. Heavy Winter Bedding You No Longer Need

While you may have already swapped out your comforters, now is the time to actually let go of bedding that is stained, lumpy, or simply no longer used. Holding onto extra blankets and duvets "just in case" is one of the most common storage traps. Keep one or two quality backups and donate or discard the rest.

10. Pantry Items Past Their Prime

A seasonal pantry cleanout is something organizers recommend at least twice a year, and June is a natural checkpoint. Hot chocolate packets, holiday spice blends, and canned goods from last year deserve a second look. Check expiration dates, toss anything stale or expired, and reorganize around the fresh, lighter foods you will actually reach for during summer.

11. Cleaning Products That Are Empty or Expired

Check under the sink and in your cleaning cabinet. Half-empty bottles of products you never liked, sprays that have separated or stopped working, and duplicate products you forgot you owned can all be cleared away. Streamlining your cleaning supplies makes the routine itself faster and less frustrating.

12. Holiday Décor You Did Not Use Last Season

If a holiday decoration sat in storage all through last season without being used, that is a strong signal it no longer belongs in your home. Ornaments, centerpieces, and seasonal knick-knacks that you skipped last year are unlikely to make a comeback. Donating them frees up valuable seasonal storage space and simplifies decorating in the future.

The Bigger Picture: Decluttering as a Summer Ritual

The items listed above represent more than just physical clutter — they represent the mental weight of holding onto things that no longer serve your life. Professional organizers emphasize that decluttering is not about minimalism for its own sake. It is about creating a home environment that supports how you actually want to live, especially during a season as energizing and social as summer.

Taking even one afternoon in June to work through this list can have a surprisingly powerful effect on how your home feels day to day. You will find things more easily, enjoy your spaces more fully, and head into the summer months with a sense of clarity that is hard to put a price on. Start with one room, one drawer, or even one category from this list — and build from there. Your summer self will thank you.