What to get rid of when moving is certainly not an easy question to answer. However, dealing with it will lead you to the bright side of the move – you’ll learn to clean up your home and pack it in fewer boxes than you ever thought possible. And trust our word; this is only one of many benefits of decluttering.
Not only is it a clever way to save some money before relocation, but leaving certain belongings behind will inspire you to search for the purpose of things again and find their beauty, too. Having less will encourage you to appreciate what you have more. Now, let us show you how to part from your belongings on good terms.
Decluttering your home before the relocation process is certainly not a simple task because you know relocation stress will come down on you at some point. However, incorporating a solid plan into it will give you a pretty good chance to pack all your belongings with no or minimal anxiety along the way. So if you’re wondering what the first thing to do when decluttering is, being strategic and well-organized is the answer. It’s crucial to give yourself enough time to declutter since you probably won’t immediately know which items you can toss and which ones you’d like to donate or put in a storage unit.
The moment you decide to move, start planning on supplies you’re going to need, too. Without having them at hand, the entire purging process will be much longer and – not to mention – more challenging. To organize your move efficiently, make sure you find different types of packing materials such as best-sized boxes, tons of packing paper, and trash bags. Stack and protect the belongings you want to keep into cardboard boxes and separate them from the others you plan on selling, donating, or throwing away.
Although the first part was a bit simpler than learning how to decide what to get rid of when moving, this one can also be reduced to a list of belongings you have to check out before determining what to dispose of and not regretting it later. If you want to know how to minimize when moving the easiest possible way, making a sorting system or “toss” and “keep” piles will help. Still, to decide the fate of your possessions, it’s essential to answer these questions for each of the items:
We know these might be hard to answer, but if you keep on saving all your belongings – even those you forgot you have – you’ll eventually need two trucks and two new houses. So, take this checklist seriously and start separating belongings that are actually important to you.
It’s quite simple to understand why the kitchen is one of the most demanding rooms – it’s the room you use more than any other in the house, and the clutter builds up quickly. Hot spots you should dig into first are all the kitchen cabinets and drawers but don’t skip the refrigerator, too. Whatever you find that is expired, mismatched, or has not been used for a long time, put on a pile of things to get rid of when moving. Packing your dishes will be a piece of cake after purging all the excess stuff, and needless to say, it will make dealing with fragile items easier.
Go through the kitchen and thoroughly check all the older appliances. Although they still might be working, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should keep them. Give them a good scrub first, estimate the condition they’re in, and consider donating them. Anything that requires a repair or doesn’t work should be disposed of properly or even recycled.
We are all collectors of these, although the majority might not be aware of it. When you put all of the kitchen tools and utensils together, ask yourself which ones you actually need. If all the spatulas you possess are your favorites, then you’re free to keep them. However, we doubt you really need them all. The same goes for ten different cutting board sizes and five bottle openers you got as a souvenir from a vacation. Save the ones you love and donate the rest.
Don’t hesitate to pack pots and pans that you recently bought or are still in good shape. It would be a waste of money to buy new ones. Still, pay attention to all the baking dishes and unmatching lids since these are usually the ones that make the size of the move bigger by a few boxes, at least. Also, consider storing pots and other cookware you’re not using but would like to keep for some other occasion.
To get a few more tips and learn about how to downsize your kitchen successfully, check out the video below.
Shared spaces are the ones that clutter up fast, simply because every household member is involved and equally responsible for the items used. Since moving furniture from one place to another is not that simple, now is the perfect moment to learn how to get rid of furniture when moving. You probably have a damaged or outdated piece you’d like to leave behind – and it’s not the only one. Here’s what else to dispose of in the family room:
At first, you may think you got lucky with your bedroom because it seems so tidy all the time, but the trick with the bedroom is that a lot of us use it to hide clutter from the rest of the house there when we’re not sure what to do with it. It ends up under the bed, inside the closet, scattered through desk drawers and shelves, and who knows where else. So, if it isn’t visible, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It just means you’ll finally have to tackle the clutter from your bedroom, too – from your clothes to accessories and decorative objects. The same goes for kids’ bedrooms and piles of pens, papers, and godforsaken toys you’ll find there. Ask around where to donate the toys they don’t want anymore.
How to pack clothes, especially if you are relocating to a smaller home, is a question that seeks practical solutions. This is usually one of the biggest sources of clutter you’ll find in your home, so don’t be gentle when it comes to decision-making. If there’s something you haven’t worn for more than a year – remove it from your wardrobe. If you have pieces that are not so fitting anymore – give them away. If you don’t like some of your clothes – sell them. There are many ways to downsize the wardrobe and move to your future place with belongings that have a purpose. Don’t be lazy. Find those.
Even though you might think that bringing toiletries is unnecessary when relocating to a new state, these are actually your relocation essentials, especially during the first few days of settling in, when it is pretty hard to go through all the belongings looking for soap, for example, or a towel and toothpaste. Throw away everything that’s almost empty and check the expiration date if there is one. Also, pay attention to your old makeup; if they have been exposed to heat and moisture for too long, they might not be useful anymore.
No storage space is known for being tidy. Whether we’re talking about the garage, attic, or basement, these at-home storage areas are commonly overcrowded with godforsaken belongings. Evaluate which items are not worth relocating, although you’ve kept them for years, maybe even longer. Every reliable long-distance moving company can provide you with professional packing and deliver them all to your future place. Still, the point is to use their moving services for belongings you actually need.
Once you’re done investigating your own home, there are a few more things to do before relocating that will help you pack quickly for a move. With these relocation hacks, you’ll quickly figure out some of the cheapest ways to move out of the state. Thanks to the household items you do not need anymore, there are smart solutions to save up a serious amount of money.
Once you sorted all your belongings into separate piles, it is time to have a successful garage sale. You’ve probably gathered many things people would pay for, although they’re not entirely new. Keep in mind you can also list them online on websites like eBay. On the other hand, think about all the stuff you gathered for donations and figure out where to donate your furniture because you already know what to do with your clothes – you will donate them for the homeless.
However, keep in mind that there are items movers won’t move. So, even if you’re planning a last-minute move, throw all the flammable and hazardous materials away, but with the utmost care. Even cleaning supplies can be hazardous, so don’t simply toss them without checking each bottle for disposal instructions. Some of them can be disposed of by pouring them down the drain, whereas others have to be taken to a local waste disposal station.
Whatever your reasons to move are, you’ll be grateful to yourself once you eliminate the piled-up clutter. Even though it’s a time-consuming task, it will allow you to start over with a clean slate. And that is exactly what you need after moving long-distance, to live life without anything holding you back.
