Day 10 – Decluttering Sports Equipment

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Originally published January 10, 2016 and updated January 2018 and January 2024.

Today is Day 10 of the 31 Days of 10-minute Decluttering Tips Challenge.  We’ve been working our way through items in our home, but today we’re going to step outside and take a look at the sports equipment we’ve collected. Let’s clear clutter so that we make space for our best life by decluttering sports equipment.

I’ve found that my family can collect a large amount of sports equipment over a short period of time. The challenge with sports equipment is that it was often expensive to purchase and you feel guilty not holding on to it. The other challenge is that you hold onto dreams of sometime using the equipment again even though you aren’t using it now. Today we’ll look at your collection of sports equipment with new eyes as we spend 10 minutes purging. 

Before we get started, sit down and consider your plans. Think about what sports you (and your family members) will really be playing in the next year. Consider what equipment you could rent, if you happened to go skiing again in a couple of years, for example. Be realistic about what you will do and what you simply wish you might do. The space that unused sports equipment is taking up can be used for your current sports activities and storing the equipment instead.

Clearing Clutter – Tips for Purging Sports Equipment

Grab the 6 purging bags you created earlier and let’s head to the garage or closet where you keep your sports equipment.

Take Everything Out- Keep in mind we’re doing this in 10 minutes. Only take out as much as you can go through in that time. You can come back to the other items another time you have 10 minutes. Lay the items you take out on a table or the floor.

Group Like Items Together – Quickly group like items together. Put all equipment for each sport together. Put duplicates of an item together (so put the 12 hockey pucks you have together and the four baseball gloves together). 

Evaluate – Look at each group you’ve created. Are there any categories you don’t need? What sports are you realistically going to continue playing? Sports that you won’t play in the next year (two if you’re having a difficult time purging this category) need to go. Consider how many of each item you need to have. Do you really need 12 hockey pucks or would 3 be enough?

Purge – Remove items you don’t need to keep and place them in one of your 6 purging bags. Consider selling items that are in good condition through a sports consignment store or online. Donate items that can still be used and throw broken or damaged items out. 

Put Everything Away – Put the items you’ve decided to keep back away. But before you put everything back, you should check out my tips on how to wash smelly workout clothes.

More Tips for Sports Equipment

Sports Equipment Organizing Products

When it comes to choosing sports equipment storage products, there are a few key factors to consider.

Assess the amount and types of sports equipment you have to store. Consider whether you need storage for gear such as balls, bats, or larger items like bicycles or ski equipment. This will help determine the size and configuration of the storage units you require.

Consider the space available for storage. Do you need a compact solution for a small garage or an expansive system for a dedicated equipment room? Customizable shelving units or modular storage systems can be great options for maximizing space and accommodating varying sizes of items.

Look for durable and high quality storage products. Sports equipment can be heavy and subjected to frequent use, so investing in sturdy materials that can withstand wear and tear is crucial. Look for features like reinforced steel frames, adjustable shelves, and moisture-resistant finishes to ensure longevity and protection for your valuable gear.

Knowing that purging sports equipment can be challenging for many people, you may need to take more than 10 minutes to work your way through purging all your sports equipment. You can do it. Just make more time this week to finish your purging task. You may also find it helpful to check out these tips for organizing sports gear from The Seana Method. 

Please come back tomorrow for Day Eleven in the 31 Days of 10-Minute Purging Tips challenge. Purging unneeded items will simplify your life so that you can spend more time really enjoying it. 

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