8 Essential Things to Declutter Before Winter, According to a Professional Organizer

Many of us have made a New Year's resolutions to 'get organized.' But you don't need to wait until January to regain control of your home—in fact, decluttering before winter sets in has its advantages. For one, you’ll be able to enjoy the holiday season with less clutter and chaos. Finding the room for gifts you’ll receive will be easier, as will hosting guests for holiday dinners and parties.

Decluttering now will also help you create space for other resolutions (for example, putting together a home gym for improved health) so you can start as soon as the New Year's Eve champagne wears off. Going through and getting rid of things you no longer need or want will allow you to truly start the year with a clean slate.

As a professional organizer, these are the areas I recommend decluttering and organizing before the winter season. Plus, learn more about the organizations that will accept your no-longer-needed items, so nothing goes to waste.

1. Winter Gear

Depending on your location, you’re probably getting ready to pull your outerwear and winter gear from storage. When you do, use the time to comb through each item and determine if it’s worth keeping for the upcoming season. Confirm that coats and boots still fit, especially on the kids, as they grow significantly over the course of a year. Check wool items like hats and scarves for holes or tears and match up mittens and gloves. Take the things that are grown out of or no longer your style and donate to a local charity or find a coat drive near you such as one run by the non-profit organization, One Warm Coat.

Once you've narrowed down the items you want to keep, make sure all the items are clean and organize the coat closet so you'll be ready to go when the first frost arrives.

2. The Linen Closet

As you’re going through the clothes that keep you warm, tackle bedding and blankets as well. If you plan to have family or friends stay over the holidays, this is especially important to do ahead of time. Sort sheet sets and make sure they’re in good condition before folding them neatly and arranging them back in the closet by type. Next, do the same with towels. Determine if it’s time to replace the ones you have and keep guest towels separate so you can quickly pull them out when family or friends arrive for the holidays.

Corral all the blankets, comforters, and pillows scattered throughout the house, decide on the number you realistically need to own, and keep only the ones you love. Most linens can be donated to animal shelters, so check with the ones close to you before tossing anything.

3. The Medicine Cabinet

Winter is historically when cold and flu season peaks, and it's best to prepare for it ahead of time. Prep for any sickness that might plague your household this season by heading to the medicine cabinet and checking expiration dates. Through the FDA, you can find a drop-off site for both prescription and over-the-counter medicine you want to get rid of.

Once you’ve emptied the space of expired medicine, take note of what you should stock up on for the winter months (such as decongestant and cough drops) and add it to your next shopping list so your cabinet will be fully stocked when the germs hit.

4. Makeup and Beauty Products

While you’re in the bathroom, take the opportunity to declutter your makeup as well. Like medicine, beauty items also expire—although the evidence is not always as clear-cut. As opposed to an actual date, many products contain an indicator of how many months it’s good to hold onto. If you’re unsure, simply observe the smell or shade and discard anything that seems off or is questionable.

If you never even opened that hot pink lipstick or nail polish you bought to wear last summer, consider giving it to someone else. You can also drop off unused products to a local shelter or charity that will accept them, such as Dress for Success or Project Beauty Share.

5. The Pantry

You may have already touched the pantry before fall in preparation for the Thanksgiving feast, but it’s smart to give it another pass before the end of the year. This way, you’ll be ready for food-centered winter activities like decorating Christmas cookies or hosting a Superbowl party.

Check expiration dates on baking ingredients, spices, and cans especially if they’ve been hanging around for a while. Restock anything you’ll need over the coming months, such as flour and sugar holiday baking or beans and diced tomatoes for chili recipes. Find a nearby food bank and donate any excess non-perishables that are still within their “best if used by date.”

6. Kid’s Toys, Books, and Clothing

With Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter holidays coming, your home is bound to have an influx of new items thanks to generous gift-givers. And if you have kids, the amount of new toys and books can quickly become overwhelming when compounded with the things they already own.

Take the time now to sort kids' toys, books, and clothes, weeding out anything they no longer play with or don't fit into. Bin up and store special items for hand-me-downs if needed. Have your kids get involved with donating the rest so it instills the habits of decluttering charitable giving. Look for an organization in your area that will accept items from a site like Donation Town and, for any unopened toys, there's time to find a local Toys for Tots chapter in time for the holidays.

7. Holiday Decor

If this is the third Halloween in a row you didn’t add the oversized inflatable pumpkin to your front yard display, it’s time for it to go. As you’re pulling out or putting away fall decor, set aside items to get rid of. Toss anything that is broken, and donate items you no longer want to a thrift store.

In the same decluttering session—or a secondary one if you need it—go through Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s decorations or party supplies as well.

8. Gift-Wrapping Supplies

Perhaps you store gift wrap (especially the holiday-theme kind) with your seasonal decor, which would make this decluttering task a simple next step. Wherever it’s hiding in the house, gather all your wrapping or tissue paper, bags, boxes, and tags. Get rid of anything ripped or used to the point you’d be embarrassed to repurpose it. This will give you a good idea of what you actually should stock up on for this upcoming holiday season as opposed to blindly buying more than you need.

Another thing to consider decluttering is last year’s holiday cards in preparation for the new ones about to flood your mailbox. Keep the ones that are truly sentimental and let go of the rest.