12 Things to Declutter From Your Basement Before Fall

Old Furniture

It’s easy to stick old furniture in the basement, but unless you’re using it, it’s just taking up a lot of floor space. Take an inventory and move out the large items first so you’ll have room to work. Offer pieces to anyone starting a new household, hold a yard sale, or donate items to a worthwhile charity.

Unused Sports Equipment and Summer Gear

If your kids have given up on Little League and your golf clubs have cobwebs between them, it’s time to move the gear along. Toss summer items, like pool toys, beach chairs, and sports equipment that are broken.

Old Backpacks, Lunchboxes, and School Supplies

Almost every kid wants a new backpack, lunch box, and water bottle for the school year and most schools require new learning supplies. If you don’t have children, there are still probably a dozen water bottles and travel cups cluttering your basement. Sort and donate what you’re not using.

Clothing

It’s time to be ruthless. Sort clothing and shoes by size and season. Check items for holes, stains, and usefulness (how many t-shirts can one person possibly wear?). Pass along outgrown kids’ clothes and all the sizes you no longer wear.

Seasonal Decorations

Christmas is coming sooner than you think and the Fourth of July is quickly becoming a distant memory. Take a hard look at your holiday decorations. Sort by occasion and get rid of broken and worn items and anything you haven’t used in a few years. Be sure to label storage containers so you can easily find what you want.

Old Paint and Cleaning Supplies

Once a can of paint is opened, it begins to deteriorate. Even if you seal it carefully and keep it in a cool, dry environment, it should be tossed after two to three years. Check with your municipality, but most don’t allow cans with liquid paint to be tossed in the trash. Your options are to fill the can with kitty litter to solidify, open the can put it outside to evaporate and dry, or contact your trash collection agency about hazardous waste disposal.

Half-used bottles of laundry products and cleaning supplies that have been stashed in the basement for years should be discarded. The ingredients can clump, mold, and lose their cleaning effectiveness.

Unfinished Projects

If you have unfinished craft, renovation, or art projects from years past, it’s time to let them go. The same thought applies to leftover supplies from completed tasks. You’ll never find or need those extra screws from the DIY storage cabinet. Habitat for Humanity welcomes wood and hardware leftovers and there are crafters willing to scoop up your supplies to hoard in their basements!

Old Toys and Games

Toys and games that are broken, missing components, or have corroded battery compartments should be discarded. Sell or donate toys that the kids have outgrown to a charitable organization to free up needed space.

Unused Exercise Equipment

Dusty treadmills, stationary bikes, and weight sets are just taking up needed floor space. Even if you do decide to get back on the exercise train, depending on the condition of the equipment, it can be a safety hazard if it’s no longer functioning properly. Sell, donate, or recycle the metal components.

Old Electronics and Appliances

Almost everyone falls prey to the kitchen tool or appliance you “need” to bake fresh bread every day or microwave hard-cooked eggs or chop vegetables in a flash. Or, the tangle of electronics cords that you think might come in handy one day. Or, the old phone that you’re saving “just in case”. Once they’ve landed and stayed in the basement for a year without ever being touched, it’s time to find a new home for any of these items. Anything that is broken should be discarded and the rest can be sold or donated.

Housewares and Decorative Items

Old dishes, glasses, table linens, artwork, vases, and other decorative items that no longer fit your lifestyle or tastes can be donated or sold. Keep a few sentimental items but find a spot to actually enjoy them. Let the rest go.

Cardboard Boxes

Even if you can’t part with anything else from your basement, get rid of cardboard boxes for storage. They are favorites of roaches, mice, and other pests that can destroy your treasures. Choose plastic storage bins that stack or fit shelving well.