9 things you need to declutter in April 2025 – tossing these need-to-go items will maximize your space this spring

Longer, brighter days in April can feel like a beacon of hope after the long winter, so why not use some of your boosted energy and motivation to declutter these 9 things in April?

Professional home organizers share their top decluttering tips specifically for April 2025, ensuring you kick off this milder season of weather on the right note and with your home as streamlined as it can be. It will also help you maximize your space to make way for spring activities and hobbies including Easter crafting and more.

Things to declutter in April

1. Expired suncare

Cold and flu season may be on its way out, but hay fever and high UV are here to replace it so start with a useful seasonal expiration sweep, starting in the bathroom.

Tracy McCubbin, head declutterer and CEO of dClutterfly suggests preparing in April by putting your health products at the top of your bathroom decluttering checklist.

She says, 'You might not know it, but sunscreen does expire. As it gets warmer and the sun gets stronger, you’ll want to ensure your skin is protected. Gather up your sunscreens, figure out what’s old or what you don’t like, and toss them. Your body will thank you later.'

2. Broken outdoor gear

If you didn't tackle them as part of the things to declutter in March, then your outdoor gear is the next thing on your April to-do list Tracy continues. Most importantly, any outdoor essentials that have broken in recent months and haven't yet got around to getting rid of.

She says, 'April showers bring May flowers, so April is a great time to declutter broken umbrellas – you’re going to need one after all! So many of us think, “Maybe I can fix it,” but sometimes, broken items are simply trash. Gather up all the broken umbrellas and throw them away.

'Similarly, if you or someone in your home didn’t wear a winter item this year, chances are it won’t be worn next year either. Start by separating the items that don’t fit anyone anymore, then gather up the ones that didn’t get worn because you didn’t like them in the first place.'

3. Winter ingredients

One thing people with organized kitchen pantries always do is thoroughly declutter at the change of the seasons.

As the weather changes, so do our eating habits. More often than not, we move away from winter warmers to lighter meals that don't leave us feeling as sluggish.

To prevent food waste and items expiring quietly in the corners of our kitchen storage, Ross Sapir, founder at Roadway Moving suggests, 'Cabinets and pantry need to be completely emptied.

'After that, you need to get that garbage bag and throw every thing that has expired. Any items that are close to expiry or winter-specific should be pulled to the front and planned into your weekly meal plan to be used up and minimize waste at the start of April.

'Finish up by using labelled air-tight containers and jars, such as the Rubbermaid Pantry Storage Set, from Target, to organize your kitchen once and for all.'

4. Your linen closet

As we switch from our winter bedding sets to our lighter spring linens, April is a great time to organize a linen closet and clear out old linens and sets we no longer like or are looking a little worse for wear, suggests Laura DeJohn, professional home organizer and owner of All Checked Off - Professional Organizing.

She points out, ‘It’s time to decide if you really need everything you have. Do you love it? Is there a stain or tear? Maybe it is time to downsize.’

These extra large vacuum seal storage bags from Walmart are perfect for keeping bulky winter comforters out of the way when not in use without them taking up all of the room in your closet.

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden adds, 'Usually in April, I take advantage of spring and Easter retailer sales to replace old bedding. My benchmark for what has to go is whether or not an item smells musty, even after cleaning. Those are the ones I replace every April.'

5. Your garage and shed

Decluttering a backyard and tackling garage and shed storage before the weather gets too hot will save you a lot of time and energy later in the season.

Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO at Cabana says, 'If you want to be able to take full advantage of your yard as soon as warm weather permits it, you should prioritize organizing your garage and/or your shed – wherever you store your yard items.

'Maybe you are a big gardener and this means going through all of your gardening tools, making sure everything is organized and in working order. Maybe you like to lounge on your gazebo, and you need to go through your outdoor furniture and get it ready. Maybe you have a pool, and you should be going through your cleaning items and pool toys to make sure you have everything you need.'

6. Tax filing system

Now that one tax season is over, it is time to prepare for the next by decluttering your home office and setting up a new tax system, urges Laura DeJohn, professional home organizer.

She says, 'I highly recommend resetting your tax filing system. You’ve probably received your return, at which point you can file it away either digitally or in your filing system. This is a great time to check in to be sure you’re collecting the paperwork you’ll need next year in an organized way. Don’t forget to keep those DMV registration reminders, too.

‘If you don’t have a system in place to collect your tax information, now is a great time to set one up since you just finished your taxes and everything is fresh in your mind.’

7. Your cleaning cabinet

With many of us in the throws of our spring cleaning lists by the time April rolls around, it is the ideal time to go through your cleaning cabinet and reassess which products we are holding onto and what needs to go.

Products that we do not like the smell of, duplicates that we don’t use because we forget them and keep buying more, or essential cleaning supplies that we have had for many years and have likely expired are all prime contenders for decluttering in April.

Given that you do not need harsh chemicals to clean well, it is also a good idea to tackle any dangerous cleaning supplies, replacing them with non-toxic cleaning supplies instead for a healthy household.

8. Winter decor

You may have started to transition your home into spring with your spring cleaning checklist, but April is the time to fully clear out any old winter decor clutter and transition to full spring decor.

Katy Wells, home organizer, founder of Clutter Cure Club and host of The Maximized Minimalist podcast says, ‘It's time to pack up any remaining winter or holiday-specific decorations. Consider simple “swap-outs,” such as swapping out heavier, warm winter blankets with lighter, airier options like linen or cotton throws. Or consider swapping a winter-themed family photo for a spring-themed photo.

'This changes the look and the feel of the living space, making it more aligned with the warmer spring weather.’

9. Winter clothing

April also marks a clear shift in the climate, with warmer days finally beating out snow and ice. As such, it is the perfect time to fully swap over your seasonal wardrobes – doing a bit of closet decluttering in April will help keep your home storage neat and organized as you enjoy the balmier weather.

Beth Lennon, professional organizer and owner of Destination Decluttered suggests, ‘Take a fresh look at your closets for items that are no longer used or misplaced – this will create more room for storing winter coats, boots, and accessories.

‘The milder temperatures of the spring mean a transition in our wardrobes as well. Before storing cold weather staples like sweaters and fleeces, look at them in the bright light of the day to ensure they’re still in good condition, without fading, holes, pilling, or stretching, and if so, perhaps it’s time to donate or recycle instead of postponing that decision for next year.

‘If you aren’t in the habit of this, you may find too that when you take your spring clothing out of storage, it may not be in the crisp, clean, fresh condition you would like and to cull out those worn items, to ensure you look good and feel your best.’

A good rule of thumb is if you haven't worn it since last April, donate, sell or recycle it.

Meet the experts

Tracy McCubbin

In her two decades as a professional organizer, Tracy has helped thousands of clients turn their space around, implementing helpful habits to ensure organization isn't just a feat of getting rid of items you own, but more about adopting an attitude shift that sticks.

Laura DeJohn

Laura has been decluttering and organizing spaces from as young as 12, but didn't make it into a career until after her own children had grown up.

She founded All Checked Off, a professional organizing service in the Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, and Goleta area, providing decluttering, seasonal sorting, furniture assembly, space planning, packing and unpacking, among others.

Beth Lennon

Decluttering Life Coach, Beth Lennon, was raised in a home of collectors, antiquers, savers and creatives, with ADHD thrown into the mix. She knows the thrill of the hunt or a bargain and also knows how overwhelming it feels to be surrounded by too much unorganized stuff that makes it hard to focus or find anything.

Katy Wells

Katy is the curator of several best-selling decluttering courses and a globally-recognized top-50 organizing podcast.

FAQs

Where should I start when decluttering in April?

When decluttering in April, start with the most pressing areas, such as high-traffic spots including the decluttering kitchen cabinets and decluttering your entryway. Dealing with these areas first will make your every day life easier and less stressful. As a result, you will feel less overwhelmed and the other areas will be easier to work into your spring cleaning schedule.

How can I stay motivated to declutter in April? 

When bogged down in spring decluttering, transitioning your home from cold to warmer weather, and tackling the start of allergy season, it can be tricky to stay motivated to declutter. When feeling overwhelmed in April, try permitting more breaks – remember that most tasks can be postponed a week or so if you need the time to rest. Breaking down tasks into more manageable chunks will prevent burnout.

Once you have finished tackling the clutter, you can turn to the things to organize in April for a fresh space ready for spring and summer hosting.