14 Things to Throw Out ASAP in October, According to Professional Organizers

Take stock of costumes that no longer fit or won't get worn this year, and bring them to a donation center as soon as possible. "When you donate within the season, your items don't end up in the trash—they actually get used," says Gehman. "Schools, theaters, or neighbors can put them to good use this year instead of letting them sit in storage until next year."

Take stock of your food storage containers. “Holiday leftovers are coming. Now is the time to clear the cabinet of containers without lids, warped plastic, and the pieces you always dig around but never actually use,” says Suzi Guraj of VS Organized Interiors.

With holiday visits on the horizon, it's important to prepare guest spaces—one example being fresh linens and towels. "It's a perfect opportunity to inspect your linens and towels," says Katie Hubbard. "Discard any that are old, ripped, stained, or excessively worn; nobody wants to offer guests items that they themselves wouldn't use."

While you're swapping your closet for fall, take stock of your hangers. "Wire hangers are thin and can cause stretch marks on clothes over time," says Maeve Richmond, founder of Maeve’s Method. "They also tend to cause unsightly bunch-ups in our closets, or cause clothing to hang at funny angles, so if you have any in your closet pull them, recycle the metal, and swap them out for your favorite more permanent wooden, velvet, or plastic hanger."

It's the ideal time to sift through your Christmas decor. You'll know what items you don't need to buy this year and have time to replace anything broken.

"Picture this: you gather your loved ones to hang the twinkling lights and adorn your home with festive cheer, only to discover that half the lights have burnt out and the garland looks worse for wear," says Hubbard. "It's disheartening to find yourself unprepared when you want to create joyful memories."

Declutter your pantry ahead of the holiday season, starting with expired food items and seasonings. "As you start planning holiday meals, take stock of your pantry," says Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers. "Toss any ingredients that are past their prime. You may find that you already have cans of cranberry sauce that are still good and more nutmeg than you’ll use in a lifetime of baking."

Clear our the freezer, too—think summer sauces and freezer pops that have been neglected. "We can always use more fridge space come Thanksgiving, whether you're cooking, meal prepping, or bringing home leftovers in containers," says Gehman.

Kids grow out of toys quickly, so let go of any that haven't been played with in a while. Chances are, they'll be receiving a lot more during the holiday season. "With Christmas shopping starting, now is the opportunity to make space for any gifts you may receive," says Gemma Lilly, one half of The Style Sisters.

If the toys are good condition, go ahead and donate them to charity.

RELATED: 11 Genius Tips to Declutter Toys and Reclaim Your Space

From election mail and fall event flyers to back-to-school announcements, stray papers have likely accumulated throughout the house. "October is a great reset point for paper clutter," says Gehman. "Parents can take this one step further and purge your kids' yearly memorabilia folders of their artwork and paperwork for the school year so far."

Fall has officially arrived, so give your summer items a quick sort before putting everything into storage. "October is the perfect time to declutter any summer-related items you didn't use or don't plan to use next year—think beach gear, outdoor toys, and worn-out sandals," says Guraj.

Board games and puzzles can easily pile up throughout the year, so Gehman likes to carve out time in October for a quick purge. “Consider saran-wrapping your puzzles, so the pieces do not fall out in transition to the donation center,” she says. “Those centers will throw out games if they feel the pieces are not all together.”

From dead batteries and old chargers to dried-up pens and markers, Hubbard says it’s worth tackling your junk drawer this month, too. “If it’s broken, outdated, or you have absolutely no idea what it goes to, it may be time for it to leave the drawer,” she says.