Planning a move? It’s the perfect excuse to declutter and start fresh. You get to leave behind all the things you don’t really need, plus you make your move potentially cheaper and faster. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s how to clear out the clutter so you aren’t packing things you’ll just throw away later.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need some boxes or bins and a few different colored markers. Assign a color to each group (Red for Trash, Green for Donate, etc…) and label the sides.
Make sure you have a box for these categories so nothing gets mixed up:
- Trash
- Donate
- Sell
How to Declutter Before a Move?
Start at least a month before your move so you’re not in a rush.
Once you have your boxes, go room by room. Start with those you use the least, like the attic or the basement for example.
Make a quick list of the rooms and check them off as you go, like:
- The Attic or Basement
- Guest Rooms
- Closets
- Garage
- The Kitchen and Living Room
How to Decide What to Keep and What to Toss?
What to Toss
Be ruthless here. If it’s broken, expired, or just plain junk, it goes in the trash. This is also the time to deal with paper clutter. If you can scan it and go digital, do it. The same goes for tech clutter. If you have a drawer full of cables for devices you don’t even own anymore, let them go. You don’t want to pay to move things that are broken.
What to Donate
If it’s in good shape but you don’t use it, give it away.
- Clothes: Anything that doesn’t fit or you haven’t worn in years.
- Books: These can be very heavy! Take the time to sort them. You’ll save a lot of space and weight on the moving truck.
- Toys: We know some things carry a lot of sentimental value, and it’s okay to keep a few favorites. We aren’t telling you to be heartless, but if the kids have already outgrown them, let them go so another child can enjoy them.
- Kitchen Items: Check if you have duplicates or things you just don’t use. Organizations like Mary’s Place can really use small household items such as dishware, utensils, and mugs. You’ll be making your move easier and helping a good cause.
What to Sell
This is a great opportunity to make a little extra money for your moving expenses. If you have furniture, electronics, or even sports equipment that you stopped using (think that stationary bike gathering dust or the set of weights you haven’t used), try listing them on Facebook Marketplace or apps like OfferUp. Just make sure to do this a few weeks before your move so you aren’t stuck waiting for a buyer while the moving truck is in the driveway.
What to Keep
This part can actually be the hardest. It’s so easy to find something you forgot you even had and go, “Awww, I’ll keep this” But remember, you forgot you had it in the first place, so it’ll probably happen again.
If you’re stuck, use the 90/90 Rule: if you haven’t used it in the last 90 days and won’t use it in the next 90, it’s safe to remove it.
Just don’t get too excited and use this rule for everything. If it’s a tool or holiday decor you only use once a year, keep it. You don’t want to have to buy it all over again in six months.
Ready to Start?
Don’t worry about the whole house today. Grab your markers, pick one room, and start there. The sooner you start, the easier moving day will be.
If the packing or the heavy lifting feels like too much, we are here to help at Eco Movers. We can handle the packing for you, move everything to your new place, or even give you some extra space in storage if you aren’t ready for it all yet. Just reach out, fill out our form for a free quote and we’ll take it from there!
