9 Things to Get Rid of in Your Home in July, According to Pro Organizers

With all the outdoor activities on your schedule, from biking to swimming, chances are you have some unnecessary gear in your space. It's important to stay on top of it, especially if you have kids. "Get rid of bikes they’ve outgrown, pool toys collecting dust or swimwear that no longer fits," says Jones. Don't forget to get rid of defective beach umbrellas, too.

And good news: Some things like camping gear and outdoor clothes can be donated. Just do a quick Google search first!

Back-to-school season in August isn't the best time to tackle your kids' supplies, Jones says, as it's "highly intense and chaotic." This month, get a head start and declutter your kids' schoolwork from the past year. "Toss the old worksheets, reports and notebooks while things are a bit slow," she says.

Tackle the mudroom as well, says Marissa Hagmeyer, NEAT Method co-founder and COO and author of the recently published book, The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book. "Set aside backpacks, lunchboxes and water bottles that are stained, broken or missing parts to be tossed or donated. The same goes for any other school supplies or gear that may need replacing before the school year."

RELATED: Pro Organizers Want You to Throw Out Your Children's Artwork

With vacation season underway, make packing a breeze by editing travel essentials. Take stock of everything from mini face moisturizers and toothpaste to makeup and body products. "Keep what you love and use," says Janelle Lam of Straighten Up by Janelle. But you can recycle what has expired, or donate what hasn't been used.

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"If you’re using expired bug spray or sunscreen, they’re not doing their job," says Hagmeyer. It's important to check dates on packaging, especially citronella stickers or bracelets. "Finish the summer off strong — sans sunburns — and clear space for products that actually work," she adds.

Don't overlook your closet when you're decluttering. Are there pieces you didn't wear last summer? Is there an item you just don't love anymore? "If it didn’t make it out of your closet last summer, there is a high chance it probably doesn’t reflect your current style," Jones says. She recommends creating a Pinterest board just for your summer style. That way, you have a clear vision of what doesn't fit so you can easily declutter.

Violetta Elezovic, founder of VS Organized Interiors, also suggests evaluating your summer wardrobe every year: "Go through your summer clothes and shoes that are worn out or no longer useful. In general, you can create more space in your wardrobe and keep a better eye on what you already have when things aren’t so cluttered."

And remember, many organizations will take gently worn summer clothing, including dresses and shorts.

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With outdoor entertaining, comes lots of food storage containers. You're bound to have some in your cabinet that you never reach for. "Summer leftovers, BBQs and picnics mean you’re using food containers constantly," Lam says. "Take five minutes to match up lids, and toss any warped pieces."

If you have too many, or they are just mismatched, check with local schools or senior center to see if they can be donated there. You can also try to find clever new uses for them, like storing crayons and pencils!

Examine your beach towels to make sure they're in good shape. "If they are too thin or are ripped and frayed, it's time to let them go," says Nicole Gabai, founder of B. Organized! "Many donation centers will accept most textiles because they can sell the unusable items by the pound."

You can also check with your local pet shelter, which can use them for clean up or keeping pets comfortable.

Water bottles always seem to accumulate out of nowhere, so it's worth taking stock of your collection in any cabinets and coolers. "Toss the ones that are moldy, smelly or rarely get used for whatever reason – broken zipper, item doesn’t insulate well or water bottles that leak easily," says Gabai.

RELATED: Not All Reusable Water Bottles Are Recyclable. Here's How to Tell If Yours Is.

It's pretty easy to access instruction manuals for appliances on reputable websites these days, whether you're trying to figure out a maintenance issue or learning how a specific feature works. Ashley Hines of Thee Tailored Life suggests making note of your appliances' model numbers before recycling paper manuals, though. "Most are unnecessary now that setup guides and troubleshooting tips are just a company website or YouTube search away," Hines says.