6 Things Pro Cleaners Always Throw Out After Summer

The changing of seasons is always a great time to take on a big home clean out in order to start off on a fresh, organized note. With the end of summer, there are a few specific products in particular that you may wish to part ways with, professional cleaning experts say.

Below, cleaning experts chime in to share six items that you may be better off tossing in the trash to start next summer on the right foot. You’ll thank yourself next June for having been proactive and taken inventory of everything before stashing it away.

Old School Supplies

The end of the summer is the time to stock up on new school supplies for your kids (and for your own office space) and therefore part ways with any items that are no longer functional in order to work more efficiently. Go through those desk drawers and pencil pouches before heading to the school supply section at the store.

“Review and discard old school and office supplies such as dried out markers and pens, empty glue sticks, stubby crayons, battered notebooks, et. cetera,” Macie Kreutzer, professional organizer and founder of the blog For the Love of Simple, says.

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Damaged Pool and Beach Items

You may have had lots of fun using your pool and beach items all summer long, but if you spot any that are no longer functional and won’t come in handy next year, toss them, Kreutzer says. She adds that items that you will want to say goodbye to include deflated or popped water inflatables, rusty beach chairs, and cracked boogie boards.

James King, the operations manager at DeluxeMaid, echoes similar sentiments and notes that, in particular, pool noodles may need to go after a summer of play.

“Sun, chlorine, and lots of splish-splashing can really do a number on them, making them crackly,” he says. “Mold and mildew might even grow.”

Used Summer Beauty Products

There’s no need to hold onto empty sunscreen bottles—everyone’s bathroom is crowded enough without holding onto excess products.

“Create more space in your bathroom by tossing empty sunscreen bottles and sprays, expired makeup, and skincare products, especially for those that don’t work for the drier, colder months,” Kreutzer says.

Keep in mind that empty plastic bottles are recyclable, not everything needs to go directly into the trash.

Lackluster Towels

If your beach and pool towels have experienced some major wear after yet another summer of use, you may wish to get rid of them prior to next season.

“All that sand, saltwater, and constant sun exposure can really take a toll,” King says. “These are the ones that are frayed at the edges, faded from too much sun, or have those stains that just won’t come out.”

He recommends parting ways with them and purchasing new ones that will help you kick off next summer on the right note. Note that rather than throwing away your old beach towels, you can repurpose them and use them as rags for cleaning your home, washing the car, and more.

Expired Cleaning Supplies

Check the labels on your summer-specific cleaning supplies, such as the ones you use for patio cleaning or to remove mildew, and toss anything that is past its expiration date or doesn’t have much liquid left, King suggests.

“Expired products just don’t do the job as effectively, and nearly empty bottles are just taking up space,” he says.

Used or Damaged Barbecue Charcoal Bags and Brushes

Barbecue season is on its way out, and with that, you will want to toss charcoal bags that are empty or may been damaged.

King explains that barbecue charcoal that is exposed to moisture is not going to function at full capacity.

“This makes it really hard to light and burn properly, and you end up with a frustrating grilling experience,” he says.

Your barbecue grill brush may also be in less than stellar shape after a busy summer hosting season.

“If you think it is salvageable and don’t want to toss it, let it soak for a few hours,” Logan Taylor, who is the president of Dazzle Cleaning Company, says.

He recommends making a mixture of 1/4 a cup of dish soap, one cup of white vinegar, and one cup of water. After, make sure to rinse thoroughly, air dry, and store.