Updated October 2026
Best Time to Shop Home Depot Clearance in 2026
Understanding Home Depot’s Clearance Cycle
Home Depot follows predictable patterns when marking down merchandise, making it possible to time your shopping trips for maximum savings. The retailer typically reduces prices in waves, starting with smaller markdowns and progressing to deeper discounts as items need to move quickly.
Discounts deepen the longer an item sits unsold, from an initial markdown to steep clear-out pricing. For the full discount-depth breakdown, see our markdown schedule guide.
- 70-90% - Maximum clearance savings
- Tue-Fri - 87% of new clearance price cuts
- 7-9 AM - Optimal shopping hours
Best Days of the Week for Home Depot Clearance
Tuesday Through Friday: When Markdowns Land
Tuesday to Friday carry 87% of Home Depot clearance price cuts, and Thursday is the largest single day at 26.4% (10,692 cuts at 1,697 stores, August 1 to October 25, 2026). Wednesday (23.9%) and Friday (19.4%) follow, then Tuesday (17.0%). More on the pattern in two years of Home Depot markdown timing data.
Monday: Quiet for Markdowns
Monday is one of the quietest days for new clearance prices (4.6% of cuts). It is the busiest day for community penny reports.
Weekend Shopping: Hit or Miss
Saturday carries 7.6% of cuts and Sunday 1.2%. Weekends see the highest foot traffic, so items cut late in the week are often gone by Sunday.
| Day/Time | What Happens | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 4.6% of clearance cuts | Quiet |
| Tuesday | 17.0% of clearance cuts | Good |
| Wednesday | 23.9% of clearance cuts | Best |
| Thursday | 26.4% of clearance cuts, the largest day | Best |
| Friday | 19.4% of clearance cuts | Good |
| Saturday-Sunday | 8.8% of cuts, high traffic, picked-over selection | Avoid |
| End of Month | Aggressive markdowns before resets | Excellent |
Seasonal Timing for Maximum Savings
Spring Clearance (March-May)
Spring brings excellent opportunities as Home Depot clears winter inventory:
- March: Snow removal equipment, winter tools, holiday decorations
- April: Indoor heating supplies, winter garden supplies
- May: Remaining winter stock reaches deepest discounts
This is when you’ll find the home depot best time to buy items like snow blowers, space heaters, and winter outdoor gear at 60-80% off.
Summer Clearance (June-August)
Summer clearance focuses on spring planting supplies and indoor items:
- June: Spring seeds, soil amendments, early season planters
- July: Spring tools, indoor lighting fixtures
- August: Summer furniture begins early markdowns
Fall Clearance (September-November)
Fall offers the most diverse clearance opportunities:
- September: Summer outdoor furniture, grills, pool supplies
- October: Lawn care equipment, summer tools, outdoor decor
- November: Massive pre-holiday clearance across multiple categories
Know exactly when markdowns hit. Endless tracks clearance timing and price drops at your local Home Depot stores automatically.
Get startedSeptember stands out as one of the best months overall, with summer items hitting rock-bottom prices while winter stock hasn’t yet arrived in full force.
Winter Clearance (December-February)
Winter clearance can be tricky but rewarding:
- December: Early holiday item markdowns post-Christmas
- January: Holiday decorations, gift items, some outdoor furniture
- February: Deep winter clearance, early spring transition items
Monthly Clearance Patterns
End-of-Month Markdowns
The last week of each month typically sees aggressive markdowns as stores work to clear inventory before new monthly merchandising resets. This is especially true for:
- Seasonal departments
- Paint and color-matched items
- Display models and floor samples
Holiday and Event-Driven Clearance
Home Depot’s clearance schedule often aligns with holidays and events:
- Post-Valentine’s Day: Red and pink seasonal items
- Post-Easter: Spring decor and pastel items
- Memorial Day Weekend: Spring/summer transition
- Post-July 4th: Patriotic items and early summer goods
- Labor Day Weekend: Summer-to-fall transition
- Post-Halloween: Seasonal decorations and orange items
Time of Day Strategies
Early Morning Shopping (7-9 AM)
The best time within any given day is early morning, preferably within the first two hours of store opening. Benefits include:
- Freshly stocked clearance sections
- Full selection before other shoppers arrive
- Access to items that may have been put out overnight
Avoiding Peak Hours
Steer clear of late morning through early evening (10 AM - 6 PM) when clearance sections get picked over quickly and staff are too busy to provide assistance with pricing questions.
Special Clearance Events and Timing
Inventory Clearance Events
Home Depot occasionally runs store-wide inventory clearance events, typically in January and August. These events feature additional markdowns on already-reduced items.
Store Remodel Clearances
When individual stores undergo remodeling, they often have massive clearance events 2-3 weeks before construction begins. These can offer some of the deepest discounts available.
New Product Line Introductions
When Home Depot introduces new product lines, they often clear out older inventory at significant discounts. This typically happens in:
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- Early spring (new garden/outdoor lines)
- Late summer (new indoor/tool lines)
- Early winter (new holiday/indoor lines)
For clearance hunters looking to track these opportunities across multiple stores, tools like Endless can help monitor inventory levels and pricing changes to identify the best deals as they become available.
Regional and Climate Considerations
Northern Regions
In colder climates, winter item clearance starts earlier (late January) and summer clearance extends later (early October).
Southern Regions
Warmer areas see different patterns, with less dramatic winter clearance but extended outdoor/garden clearance periods.
Store-Specific Variations
Individual store managers have some discretion over clearance timing, leading to variations even within the same region. High-traffic stores may mark down items more aggressively to move inventory quickly.
Pro Tip: September and January are consistently the two best months for Home Depot clearance shopping. September clears out summer inventory at 50-90% off, while January brings post-holiday markdowns across multiple categories. Plan your biggest purchases around these two peak clearance periods for maximum savings.
Key Takeaways for Clearance Success
The optimal strategy combines multiple timing factors: shop Wednesday to Friday mornings, when most new cuts have landed, focus on end-of-season periods (especially September and January), and visit during the last week of each month. The most successful clearance shoppers develop consistent routines, visiting stores weekly during peak clearance seasons and monthly during slower periods.
Remember that clearance inventory varies significantly by location and timing, so patience and persistence are essential. The best deals often require multiple visits and the flexibility to buy items when you find them rather than waiting for potentially deeper discounts that may never come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day of the week does Home Depot mark down clearance items?
Tuesday to Friday carry 87% of Home Depot clearance price cuts, and Thursday is the largest single day at 26.4% (10,692 cuts at 1,697 stores, August 1 to October 25, 2026). Sunday and Monday together are 5.8%.
When does Home Depot put out new clearance items?
New clearance prices appear mostly Tuesday to Friday, with Thursday the most common day. End-of-month periods and seasonal transitions also trigger larger waves of new clearance inventory.
What months have the best Home Depot clearance sales?
September and January consistently offer the best clearance opportunities, with September featuring summer item clearance and January bringing post-holiday and winter clearance sales.
Is it better to shop Home Depot clearance in the morning or evening?
Early morning shopping within the first two hours of store opening provides the best selection and access to newly marked-down items before other customers arrive.
How long do Home Depot clearance items stay at the same price?
Clearance items typically get marked down again every 2-4 weeks if they don’t sell. For the full discount-depth breakdown, see our markdown schedule guide.