Tame the Summer Chaos: 8 Things to Declutter in July (Especially if You’ve Got Kids and a Busy Schedule)
By Amy Smith, Arranged by Amy Organizing | Serving Greater Portland, Maine
Summer is supposed to feel carefree—but if you’re a busy mom juggling work, kids’ camps, swim bags, snacks, sunscreen, and all the stuff that comes with it, your home might be anything but peaceful right now.
If you’re finding that bags get dropped, gear gets dumped, and nobody knows where anything goes, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. The truth is, summer can sneak in a whole new level of clutter if we don’t have systems in place to handle it.
The good news? A few focused tweaks and intentional edits this July can clear space (and mental clutter) so your home works with your lifestyle instead of against it.
Here are 8 things I recommend decluttering right now to simplify summer and take back your space:
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1. Camp & Swim Gear That Doesn’t Have a Home
Backpacks, towels, goggles, flip-flops, sunscreen, water bottles, hats… they tend to pile up in corners, on counters, or in the car. If your family is doing camps, day trips, or regular beach outings, set up a drop zone. But first, go through what’s actually being used.
Are there extra swim bags that never get touched? One too many crusty towels? Sunscreen from last year? Let go of what’s not working and make space for what is.
Local tip: Look for donation opportunities in the Portland area for gently used swimwear or camp supplies
• Maine Needs
• The Children’s Closet at First Congregational Church UCC in South Portland
• Local community services centers – many towns have donation programs or thrift shops
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2. Kids’ Schoolwork & Artwork Overflow
If that big pile of papers from the school year is still sitting on the dining room table (or shoved in a bag in the hallway), now’s the time to go through it with fresh eyes. Keep a few special pieces, then recycle or digitize the rest.
Pro tip: Take photos of favorite artwork and create a digital keepsake book later. This is a great quiet activity for a rainy July afternoon.
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3. Sunscreen & Bug Spray Check
Open that pool bag or garage bin—do you know how old those bottles are? Sunscreen expires, and bug spray doesn’t last forever either. Toss what’s expired or nearly empty and only keep what you’ll realistically use.
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4. Summer Clothes Nobody’s Wearing
If you or your kids are constantly bypassing certain shorts, swimsuits, or t-shirts… that’s your cue. Pull those pieces out now while they’re top-of-mind.
Let go of anything uncomfortable, stained, or outgrown, and simplify laundry and morning routines for the rest of the season.
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5. Pantry + Snack Overflow
Between cookouts, camp snacks, and road trip stashes, pantries can get overloaded with half-used bags of chips, stale crackers, or expired granola bars.
Give your pantry a mid-summer reset—check dates, combine duplicates, and donate unopened extras to a local food pantry.
Where to donate food locally:
• South Portland Food Cupboard
• Project GRACE in Scarborough
• Your town’s community outreach office
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6. Water Bottle Clutter
It happens fast. If your cabinets are overflowing with mismatched or leaky water bottles, it’s time to pare down. Keep the favorites and recycle or donate the rest.
Bonus: With fewer bottles, it’s easier for kids to grab, refill, and put them back where they belong.
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7. Outdoor Toys + Gear Graveyard
Check the garage, yard, and porch. Deflated balls, broken water blasters, cracked buckets—toss what’s not usable and group like items in labeled bins or baskets for easy cleanup.
Want to make it stick? Label spots for each category: “Sand Toys,” “Outdoor Games,” “Pool Stuff.” Kids are much more likely to help when everything has a home.
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8. 4th of July Decor You Skipped (Again)
Did you pull out the red, white, and blue… or leave most of it in the bin? If some of your patriotic gear never made it out this year (or last year, or the year before), it’s okay to let it go.
Decluttering right after the holiday helps you remember what you actually used and loved—so you’re not storing bins of “maybe next year” stuff.
Many church-run thrift shops or donation centers will accept seasonal décor in good condition.
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Decluttering isn’t about having a Pinterest-perfect home—it’s about setting your space up to support the life you’re actually living right now.
If you’re feeling like you’re constantly managing the stuff instead of enjoying the summer, that’s your sign to simplify. Even just tackling one or two of these categories this month can make a big difference.
Need help making it happen? I offer hands-on organizing services in Scarborough, South Portland, and surrounding Maine towns, with a gentle, judgment-free approach to help you set up sustainable systems that work for your family.
Let’s reclaim your space—and your summer. ☀️
