August is a time for many things: summer holidays, barbecues, relaxing by the pool… It’s not an obvious time to declutter. Why would it be? It’s hot, it’s sweaty, it’s sticky. We don’t want to start pulling everything out of storage and then be forced to make constant trips to the charity shop.
However, if clutter has started cropping up around your home to the point that it’s scattered across the floors and tables, there are quick wins that take no time or effort yet can make the biggest difference to your space. Here’s where we suggest you start this August.
1. Torn bedsheets
Begin with the stack of bedsheets hiding in your airing cupboard. Remove any that are torn, worn thin, bobbled or that you just don’t like the look of. Just because they’re damaged or unwanted doesn’t mean they can’t be repurposed.
Old bedsheets are handy as drop cloths for when you’re decorating or for protecting furniture, or just as extra wadding for the washing machine when you want to protect delicate items. Failing that, pet shelters will readily accept them as bedding for the animals.
Check out more ways to reuse your old bedsheets.
2. Unwanted moisturisers
Moisturisers and hand creams are something that can easily clutter bathroom cabinets and bedside drawers. It’s only natural, with them being a go-to gift, and we’re more often than not determined to use them – but if you’ve got a vast collection that’s only growing bigger, it’s time to let some of them go.
Unopened products can be offered to friends and family, donated to charity shops or sold online if you’ve got a full gift set. If a product has been opened, check they’re still within the ‘useable period after opening’ deadline (the small open pot logo on the packaging shows how many months it’s good to use for after opening). If it’s past that time, it needs to go.
3. Cracked plant pots
If you’re an avid gardener, you’ve probably got a cracked terracotta pot or two hiding in your greenhouse or garden. Depending on how severe the crack is, it can compromise the moisture retention, encourage bacterial growth and you also risk cutting your hands during handling. So, it’s best to avoid using these plant pots and declutter them swiftly.
Damaged plant pots can be repurposed as plant labels (just invert it and write the name on the side) or you could embed it in the ground on its side as a makeshift toad home. Pots that aren’t damaged should be stacked and stored with a thick layer of newspaper between each to prevent cracking.
4. Forgotten sun hats
Sun hats are something we can’t help but buy when the sun’s out – and then forget about the next year. Odds are, you’ve got a few lined up on the top shelf of your wardrobe that never see daylight but are taking up an awkward amount of space. Take a moment to pull them out and decide which ones you will likely wear again – maybe someone else would get more use out of them?
Unwanted sun hats can be donated to charity shops or sold online. Straw hats can potentially be reused around the home, too. They could be turned into a piece of decorative wall art, inverted to form a handy storage basket or, if they’re 100% straw, they could even go on your compost heap!
5. Endless ice packs
Ice packs can easily collect in the freezer. Often given for free with food deliveries, they get bunged in the bottom drawer and forgotten about. Freezer drawer space is precious, so it’s worth removing those you no longer need. You shouldn’t need more than six if you ever need to chill a large cool box.
Ice packs can be offered to friends and neighbours or you could donate them to local food banks and meal delivery charities. Failing that, if it contains a water-based solution, you can let it melt and then tip it down the drain (check with the brand to confirm). The packaging can be recycled after rinsing. Take care if it’s a biodegradable gel, though, as that could cause blockages. Chemical-based ice packs should go in the general waste.
6. Opened seed sachets
Our gardens have taken a beating from the sun this summer, so you’re likely holding back on planting fresh seeds – but don’t leave it too long. Once seed packets are opened, you have limited time to get them in the ground. After this point, the growth might be impaired.
Some seeds will only last for about a year (such as onions and parsnips), while others will last for five years plus (such as tomatoes, cucumbers and melons); refer to the packet for expiration dates. The longevity does depend upon storage conditions, too. Ideally, seeds should be stored in a cool, dry and dark space with no humidity. However, even if your seeds are past their best, it’s worth testing them to see if they’re still good to plant. An easy way to do this is seeing whether they sprout on a damp paper towel in a plastic bag.
Organise your seeds with a labelled seed box to keep on track of future expiration dates. Those you no longer want can also be offered to local schools and allotments. Look out for local seed-swapping events, too – better that than attracting rats in the shed!
7. Scattered pet toys
We can’t help but spoil our furry family members throughout the year and summer’s no exception. Cooling mats, sprinklers and paddling pools all get purchased on top of the usual haul of toys. Only thing is, our pets don’t use them all. In fact, many toys end up scattered and hidden around the home – under sofas, behind door frames or just abandoned in the middle of the room.
Take a moment to collect any toys that don’t interest your pets. If they’re clean and in good condition, they can be gifted to other pet owners or donated to animal shelters. If they’re well loved and show signs of damage, it’s time to dispose of them and make room for new toys.
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