10 Things to Get Rid of This Winter
When the weather outside is frightful, use it as an excuse to finally tackle those home projects you’ve been putting off. The winter months usually have you cooped up inside anyway, so it’s the perfect time to go through closets, cabinets, and drawers and get rid of the excess clutter. Whether you hope to clear some space before hosting guests over the holidays or start the new year off with less stuff to weigh you down, decluttering is always a good idea.
As a professional organizer, I’ve compiled a list of things that can be especially beneficial to focus on during the winter. So, if you’re looking for inspiration or motivation, start with these items. You never know; you just might get through the whole house before the last snowfall of the season.
1. Cold-Weather Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories
Letting go of something you could wear in the winter might feel counterintuitive. But if you haven’t even glanced at that turtleneck sweater in years, chances are slim that you will during this one. Donating cold-weather items from your closets now can be especially helpful for those who need it most. In addition to clothes you no longer wear, let go of coats, scarves, gloves, hats, and boots. Check to see if there’s a coat drive accepting items in your area so you can rest assured that your donations are going to a good cause.
2. Warm-Weather Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories
If you’re performing a seasonal closet swap and putting your summer stuff into storage to make room for winter things, now is also an excellent time to decide what’s worth keeping. Toss broken flip-flops, give your sister the swimsuit you bought but never wore, and donate anything you’ve grown out of (either in taste or size). Even if it’s below freezing outside, someone can use a pair of shorts or a T-shirt to wear around the house now!
3. Holiday Decor
As with winter gear, donating holiday decorations before or right after the season is over is always the best timing. Whether it’s because they’re on a budget or love hunting for a bargain, someone will be thrilled to have your old stocking holders or snowman-themed wine glasses when you’re over them. So, as you’re pulling decor out of storage or getting ready to pack it away, consider letting go of the things that no longer spark joy or have been damaged after years of wear and tear.
4. Gift Wrap
The winter holidays are generally the time of year when you go through the most gift wrap. Once you’re done wrapping the last of your gifts, take a second to assess your stash. Toss (or find a way to repurpose) ripped gift bags or overly-wrinkled wrapping paper and use up what you have before buying more. Then, you can restock only what you need ahead of the birthday parties and celebrations in the new year.
5. Bedding and Towels
True, you might reach for blankets more often this time of year. But if there are any you find yourself never using, take it as a sign to let them go. While you’re at it, go through the entire linen closet and pull out what you no longer use or need. Some donation centers will accept linens, but not all, due to the risk of bedbugs. Instead, contact your local animal shelter, as most are desperate for towels, blankets, and even pillows for their furry friends that await adoption.
6. Books and Board Games
A snow day calls for curling up with a good book or busting out a board game with the whole family. If the bookshelf or TV console is overstuffed with things, however, it might be time to pare down. Let a bookworm friend have the volumes you’ve read already, or ask if your library will take them off your hands. Donate the games you or your kids have grown out of to a school or childcare center. Then, enjoy indulging in your favorite pastime without rummaging through clutter to find the item you’re looking for.
7. Makeup and Skincare Products
As a rule of thumb, I like to go through my beauty products four times per year, using the first of each season as a reminder. You don’t necessarily have to do it quarterly, but the winter is a good time to reassess your supplies. Get rid of anything expired (especially if you have sensitive skin) or that looks or smells funky. Give unopened items you bought on a whim (or were gifted) but know you’ll never actually use to a friend or women’s shelter. If one of your resolutions is simplifying your skincare and/or makeup routine, this is the way to jumpstart your goal!
8. Vitamins and Medicine
Winter is the peak season for getting sick, so it’s smart to go through your medicine cabinet early on and check expiration dates before taking an ineffective dose. Check with the FDA for a list of nearby drug disposal drop-off locations to safely get rid of anything that’s expired or that you no longer take. Don’t forget to go through your vitamins and supplements as well and note everything you need or may want to restock.
9. Pantry Items
This is also the time of year when most of the baking happens. After all, there’s nothing better than enjoying fresh and warm chocolate chip cookies on a cold winter night while binging your comfort show. What’s not cool, though, is getting ready to whip up a homemade treat, only to realize that the flour is past its best-by date. Save yourself an unexpected trip to the store by spending a few minutes sorting through the pantry and tossing everything that’s expired. If there are unopened nonperishables that you realistically won’t get to (because, maybe, you stocked up during a sale), consider dropping them off at a neighborhood food pantry.
10. Paperwork
While it’s not fun to think about, tax season is right around the corner. So why not use a day that you’re snowed in to get a head start on prepping for it? Go through paperwork and receipts, creating files or digitizing what you need to keep and shredding what you don’t. If you’re self-employed and unsure about what to keep, the IRS provides a list of documents you should hold on to. But remember, these can be digital copies, so there’s no need to hold on to paper clutter!