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A Good Housekeeping report lists 10 categories its home editors recommend reviewing before Halloween, from worn throws and decorations to pantry and freezer items. The advice is to discard unusable or expired goods and donate usable items where local organizations accept them; it is editorial guidance, not a formal safety or donation policy.
Good Housekeeping has published a pre-Halloween decluttering list in which home editors recommend reviewing 10 categories, including seasonal decorations, clothing, pantry items and freezer food, before the holiday season. The report mixes personal routines with practical suggestions: discard items that are expired, damaged or no longer usable, and consider donating belongings that remain in good condition.
The list covers household items likely to come into focus as people bring out fall and winter belongings. Home Design Director Monique Valeris says she checks her throw blankets each fall for condition and tests whether her heated blanket still works. She also recommends sorting through old Halloween costumes children have outgrown and jackets that no longer fit or will not be worn. The report suggests donating suitable blankets, clothing and coats through local charities, coat drives or other organizations, depending on what they accept.
Other recommendations include clearing out burned-down candles, fall decorations that were not used, and summer clothes that are taking up storage space. Assistant lifestyle editor Laura Millar says reviewing summer clothing after the season makes it easier for her to identify what she actually wore. For footwear, the article advises trying on fall and winter shoes and checking for deterioration, especially in cushioning and soles; pairs that remain wearable may be donated.
The remaining categories are expired pantry goods, makeup and freezer food. The report advises checking makeup for damage or expiration indicators, including Period After Opening symbols, and clearing freezer items to make room for upcoming seasonal food. Its pantry example includes expired spices and forgotten snacks. The article does not provide a complete list of expiration rules, freezer-storage timelines or local donation requirements, so those decisions should be made using product guidance and the receiving organization’s rules.
A Seasonal Reset Before Holiday Hosting
The recommendations are aimed at making room for the change in seasons and the approaching holiday period, when households may be bringing out coats, decorating or preparing to host. Checking what is usable before buying replacements can help people spot needed repairs or gaps and avoid keeping items they do not plan to use. Sorting early may also give charities, schools or community groups time to accept useful clothing and decorations before the season ends.
The list also touches on items where condition matters beyond clutter. Expired pantry goods and old makeup should not be treated like ordinary unwanted decor: readers need to check packaging, product labels and appropriate disposal guidance. The story is a set of editors’ recommendations, not a comprehensive food-safety guide or a claim that every item in these categories should be thrown away.
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Editors’ Advice for the Season
The Good Housekeeping report is built around the editors’ own fall clean-out habits rather than a survey or formal study. Valeris describes checking blankets, costumes and jackets, while Millar discusses sorting summer clothes and clearing freezer space. The article also suggests donating usable items through thrift stores, charities, animal shelters, coat drives, schools or community centers, but acceptance varies by location and organization.
Its timing is tied to the period before Halloween and the broader fall and winter holidays. The advice is to sort decorations sooner rather than later so another person or organization may be able to use them during the season. No measured results or independent testing are presented; readers are being offered a practical checklist, not evidence that following it produces a particular financial or environmental benefit.
“Every fall, I like to take stock of my collection to confirm that they’re all still in good condition.”
— Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping home design director
Donation Rules and Disposal Details
The report does not state when it was published, identify a particular local charity or confirm which organizations currently accept specific items. Donation availability and condition standards vary, so readers should contact a local group before dropping off blankets, costumes, shoes, decor or coats. It also does not give exact criteria for deciding when footwear, freezer food or makeup is no longer safe or usable. Product labels and relevant local disposal guidance remain important for those decisions.
Check Items Before Donating
The article does not announce a follow-up event or scheduled update. Its practical next step for readers is to work through the categories before storing seasonal belongings or buying replacements: check fit and condition, review dates and product labels, and separate items that are unusable from those that may be reused. Contact donation recipients in advance to confirm what they accept and how items should be prepared. The source offers no further reporting milestone.
Key Questions
What 10 household categories does the report recommend reviewing?
They are throw blankets, burned candles, fall decorations, outgrown Halloween costumes, winter shoes and boots, summer clothes, expired or forgotten pantry items, makeup, freezer food and winter jackets.
Does the article say to throw away everything on the list?
No. It recommends discarding items that are unusable, damaged or expired, while suggesting that usable belongings may be donated. The appropriate choice depends on each item’s condition and the receiving organization’s rules.
Where can people donate usable seasonal items?
The report names local charities, animal shelters, thrift stores, coat drives, schools and community centers as possible options. Acceptance varies, so check with an organization before bringing items.
What should readers check before clearing out pantry, freezer or makeup items?
Review food packaging and product dates, and follow relevant storage or disposal guidance. For makeup, the report advises checking for damage and Period After Opening symbols; it does not provide specific safety timelines for individual products.
Source: rss
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