When we think of summer, we tend to think of the fun stuff…sitting by the pool, going on vacation, to the beach, gardening, picnics, ice cream….. What we don’t think of, right away, anyway, is dealing with clutter! But with kids home from school and more out-of-the-house outings, it’s easy for clutter to build up quickly. From beach bags to unpacked suitcases and souvenirs, staying ahead of summer seems almost as difficult as keeping your cool during this record-breaking heat! But it doesn’t have to be…here are a few simple tips to help keep clutter at bay this summer:

• While out and about, think twice before picking up anything extra and bringing it home. Ask yourself ‘do I really need this?’ before taking a brochure, map or any other freebie (that you didn’t know you needed until you saw it!). Keeping clutter out in the first place is the easiest way to stay ahead of summer clutter.

• If you see something on a summer outing that you decide you do need and want, ask yourself ‘where will I keep this?’ If you can’t come up with an answer, keep it right where it is ~ out of your home! If you do come up with an answer, put the item away in its predetermined spot as soon as you get home. Deciding ahead of time where things will go, and dealing with your new stuff daily, is a sure fire way to keep ahead of clutter.

• Make “unpacking” part of your daily tidy-up routine. Unpack the beach bag before calling it a day. Put dirty clothes and towels in the clothes hamper and redistribute other items to where they belong. And make it a point to empty your suitcase within 24 hours of being home from a trip. It will take less time than you think, and it’ll be easier to get settled back into your normal routine.

With these simple strategies tucked under your sun umbrella, summer can be about the fun stuff…and not about the clutter.