6 Things Minimalists Throw Out Every Spring for a Tidier Home—and You Should Too

Minimalists do an excellent job of ensuring that their spaces are streamlined and organized at all times, never holding onto any objects that they do not truly need. This means being proactive when it comes to clutter and engaging in seasonal clean outs every few months.

“Spring cleaning for a minimalist is really about a conscious effort to simplify their lives and to create intentional living space,” Lisa Cantu, the founder of An Organized Home OC, says.

She adds that this process is about identifying items that serve a purpose and adds joy to everyday life. As spring approaches, here are six types of items that minimalists are going to be getting rid of in their own homes, professional organizers say.

Broken Fall and Winter Tools

The spring is a good time to take stock of fall and winter items that are no longer going to serve you now that these seasons are over, Lisa Zaslow, the founder of Gotham Organizers, shares.

One such category that Zaslow recommends paring down is broken or ineffective fall and winter tools.

“They won’t magically repair themselves, so clear them out,” she says in reference to flimsy shovels and bent rakes.

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Cold Weather Clothes You Dislike

Now that the temperatures are warming up and you’re changing out what’s hanging in your closet, you should also think about whether there are any cold weather items that you’re better off tossing rather than storing for next year, Zaslow notes.

“Let go of cold-weather clothes that are stained, ripped, moth-eaten and unflattering,” Zaslow says.

She cites another benefit of parting ways with winter clothes you don’t love or need is that you’ll save precious room in your closet for what does matter, given that these garments can be so bulky.

Spring Clothes You’re Setting Out for the Season

Shantae Duckworth, the founder of Shantae-ize Your Space, agrees that going through and getting rid of unneeded winter clothing is essential but also encourages people to take a look at their spring clothes as a next step.

“See what you did wear last season versus what you didn’t wear,” she says, noting that then, you can go shopping once you have identified any gaps in your wardrobe.

In general, a good outlook as a minimalist is to prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to your wardrobe, Cantu says. She recommends parting ways with anything that seems outdated, was an impulse buy, or is missing its match, like an incomplete pair of socks.

Patio and Outdoor Furniture

Given that patio season is just around the corner, you should be using early spring to evaluate your outdoor furniture and space as a whole, Duckworth, offers.

To ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible when relaxing outside, the organizer recommends taking some time to see if any of your patio furniture or decor needs to be replaced or retired in general.

Bathroom Items

The start of a new season is a good time to sort through everything that has been piling up in your bathroom over the last few months, Duckwork explains.

“Our bathrooms only hold so much space, and there are products buried in the backs of cabinets that we no longer use,” she says.

She encourages people to check the expiration dates on products, toss those they do not use, and donate unopened toiletries to shelters that may be in need of these kinds of items. Best of all, given that a bathroom is a pretty small space, you can easily tackle this clean-out in just an hour or so.

“This task is quick and helps to restore order in a space we use often,” Duckworth says.

Paper Clutter

Spring cleaning also involves addressing any piles of paper sitting around the house, including magazines you’ve already read, mail that doesn’t need to be saved, and the like, Cantu shares. Place all of these items in the recycling bin and let your countertops breathe.