5 Decluttering Projects to Tackle Before the School Year Starts

Summer always feels endless until it isn't. One week you're still deciding which pool to hit on a Saturday, and the next you're staring down a school supply list and a closet full of clothes that no longer fit. If your family is anywhere in Danville, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pleasanton, or Fremont, you know the back-to-school rush comes fast around here. A little decluttering now can make the first weeks of September feel a lot calmer. Here are five projects worth tackling before the bell rings.

Go Through Last Year's School Supplies

Before you head out for new notebooks and folders, take fifteen minutes to sort what's already in the house. Broken crayons, dried-out markers, half-used notebooks with three pages left. Keep what's genuinely usable, donate the rest to a local school supply drive, and toss what's past saving. It's a small task, but it clears mental space before the bigger ones.

Reset the Bathroom

Mornings get hectic once school starts, and a cluttered bathroom slows everyone down. Clear out expired sunscreen and half-empty products, and set up a simple spot for each kid's toothbrush, hairbrush, and morning essentials. If you've got more than one kid sharing a bathroom, a small caddy or labeled bin per child can save you from the daily scramble.

Sort Through the Closets

Kids grow fast, and a summer of pool days and sports camps tends to leave wardrobes looking rough. Go through each closet and sort into keep, donate, and toss piles, focusing on what actually fits and gets worn. Places like Goodwill and local shelters throughout Contra Costa and Alameda County are always glad to take gently used kids' clothing, and getting the bags out the door before the season starts beats letting them pile up in the garage.

Get the Entryway in Order

Nothing derails a school morning faster than a backpack that's gone missing or a lost pair of shoes. Whether you've got a mudroom, a coat closet, or just a corner by the front door, take a pass through it now. Clear out summer gear, set up hooks or bins for backpacks and lunchboxes, and make sure there's an easy landing spot for shoes. A few minutes of setup now saves a lot of searching later.

Empty Out the Backpacks

Last year's backpack is probably still tucked away somewhere, and it's worth a look before a new one comes into the house. Sort through old papers, set aside any artwork or projects worth keeping, and recycle the rest. Check every pocket. It's amazing what turns up. If you've got kids, consider starting a simple keepsake box for each one this year, so their favorite pieces have a home instead of getting buried in a drawer.

None of these projects take more than an hour, but together they make the transition into the school year feel a lot less chaotic. And if decluttering has you looking around your whole house and wondering what else could use a fresh start, whether that's finally tackling the garage or thinking ahead to a future move, I'm always happy to talk through it. No pressure, just a friendly conversation whenever you're ready.