How to Declutter Before Back-to-School Season

The back-to-school season is here, and now is the time to start preparing for the busy year ahead. But as families transition from the carefree days of summer into the more structured routine of the school year, it can be difficult to stay organized and keep your home clutter-free. Luckily, you can declutter your home and get organized for the entire school year with a little help from Ohio Valley Goodwill! Try these ideas to get your house and family ready for the start of the school year.

Use a file system for schoolwork

A file box or filing cabinet is a great way to keep your kid’s schoolwork organized and within reach throughout the school year. Designate a file folder for each subject and have your child store their past assignments in the corresponding slot. This way, your child’s backpack will stay clutter-free, and you can avoid accidentally throwing away an important assignment.

Declutter your entryway

Entryways are notoriously clutter-filled areas. It’s all too easy for busy family members entering or leaving the house to toss belongings like backpacks, shoes, coats, dog leashes or keys by the door and create unruly piles of ” stuff.” To keep your entryway organized, label plastic or fabric bins and place them in easy-to-reach spots to help your family corral clutter as they enter or exit the home.

Storage solutions for student artwork

During the school year, children often bring home piles of artwork. Of course, you want to show your student that you’re proud of their hard work, but it’s not possible to display or store every single masterpiece they create in your home. If you’re running out of storage space for artwork, help you child send some of their latest creations to their grandparents or other loved ones, or make a scrapbook filled with their art to give as a gift. You can also designate a few frames around your house to showcase your child’s latest work and rotate the displayed artwork out every few months.

Organize your child’s closet

Back-to-school season is a great time to tidy your child’s closet and clear out any clutter for the upcoming school year. Chances are, your child has grown over the summer and no longer fits into many of his or her clothes. Ask your child to try on a few pieces of clothing, then set anything that doesn’t fit into a box to be donated to your local Goodwill. You can also sort any shoes, toys or books that your child has outgrown into the donation box, too.

By donating your child’s gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, and books to Goodwill you’re helping your neighbors, your community, and the planet! Your donations will be resold in our Goodwill retail stores at value prices, where they’ll be purchased by local shoppers who can use them again. The money raised through the sale of your donated goods helps fund job training and career services for individuals with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment right here in the Greater Cincinnati area.

When you donate to Goodwill, you’ll also have an opportunity to teach your children about the importance of recycling and giving back to people living in their community. Ohio Valley Goodwill makes donating simple and easy. Click here to find a retail store or donation center near you.