WITH the school holidays in full swing, it’s the perfect chance for parents to try an end-of-term clutter clearout.
From removing empty lunchboxes and outgrown uniforms, to dealing with the mountain of loose school papers, there’s plenty of items to be binned or recycled. .
Decluttering expert Cher Casey reveals the six items you should bin now Credit: Cher Casey
Your kid may have outgrown their chool bags and uniforms before summer Credit: Getty
Cher Casey, PhD, professional organiser and decluttering expert at The Mindful Organiser
She said: “When a home is filled with “visual noise,” it actively contributes to stress, tension, and family arguments.
Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter
Thank you!
“So a quick declutter at the end of the school year is a great chance for a seasonal reset.”
Speaking to told Jackson Woodtuners, she continued: “Tailoring and organising your home to match how your family actually lives can change the entire household dynamic.
W-ALL OVER
Experts reveal the 4 interior design choices you’ll regret in your home by 2027
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The ‘micro-living’ storage rules that make your small home feel bigger
“When a space becomes easy to navigate and maintain, daily friction melts away, and families often find they have more time and patience for each other.
“It’s also easier to keep up daily routines and find belongings which can boost the collective mood and wellbeing.”
Here, the decluttering pro reveals her top six tips and where to get started over the next couple of weeks.
School bags, lunch boxes and water bottles
Cher said: “One of the easiest tasks to start with is going through any school bags, lunch boxes or water bottles.
“These items usually have low sentimental value. It will be clear very quickly whether the item is broken, or if your child has outgrown the size or decoration.”
Outgrown school uniforms, coats and shoes
“Uniforms, coats, and shoes are an easy win for decluttering”, Cher continued.
Unless you’re saving them for younger siblings, she insists deciding what to keep should be “a quick yes or no question”
She adds: “If you do end up clearing out old uniforms, remember to check if your child’s school has a donation scheme or donate to local charity shops.”
Pencil case items
Cher said: “Throughout the year, your child will likely have accumulated an array for broken pencils and dried up pens.
“Binning any unusable writing supplies at the end of the year will make it easier to know what you need for come the new term.”
General bedroom clutter, books, and broken or outgrown toys
“These items start to take a little more time and effort to declutter, but can be an impactful area to clear out”, Cher insisted.
She recommends working through items such as toys, books, soft toys, and games- going through them item by item, and letting go of anything that is broken, or your child no longer uses.
She adds: “Depending on your child’s age, this might be a fun activity to try together.”
Seasonal toys and outdoor gear
Cher said: “Summer is an ideal time to review any seasonal toys.
“As and when things are used, determine if your family still needs and uses these items.
“Consider storing them in clear containers or open baskets so that items are visible and accessible for children and adults alike.”
School papers, reports, and end-of-year artwork
“Save school papers, reports, and artwork for last”, Cher advises.
“Because these items carry sentimental value, they are often the hardest to part with.
“Starting with less emotional belongings helps build your decision-making momentum, making it much easier to tackle the sentimental pieces later.”
She concludes: “Because our lifestyles change with the seasons, regular edits ensure your home and its belongings stay relevant to your current needs.
“Milestones, like the end of school term, provide natural opportunities to reset parts of your home. It’s much easier to break up decluttering down into smaller, more manageable chunks instead of tackling the entire house in one go.
“It forces you to check what you actually used during the school year and in the summer. Smaller, seasonal projects also disrupts the steady accumulation of clutter.”
