Don't Pack This: Decluttering to prepare for a big move (2023)

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When you receive the keys to your new home, you should be excited. From choosing paint colors to planning DIY projects, there's plenty to look forward to. However, packing can be stressful, and the excitement of moving in often turns into the fear of moving out. If you're unsure how to minimize before a move, this guide will help you separate useful items from the clutter that's just taking up space.

Here's how to start getting rid of things before moving

When it comes to tidying up, getting started is the hardest part. Before you label boxes and fill storage bins, determine which items will have a purpose (and place) in your new home. Most clutter is easy to identify, but certain items deserve more than a look before packing them up. Over the years, everyday things like household appliances and cleaning products age and need to be replaced. Can't decide whether something belongs in your throw or keep piles? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have enough space for this item in my new home?
• Where will it go?
• Have I used it in the past year?
• do i have more than one
• Is moving difficult or expensive?
• Does it need to be repaired?

Ready to clean up before you move? Make sure you plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to deflate, pack and prepare. We also recommendCreating a moving checklist, so that you only bring things that you need in your new home and that you are happy to have.

“To make the moving process less overwhelming, give yourself enough time. Tidying up, packing and moving always takes longer than you think. However much time you estimate, give yourself at least 50% more time. Start cleaning up as soon as you start thinking about moving. Use a moving checklist to make sure no small details get forgotten.”

Ali Wenzke | author of"The Art of Happy Movement"

Room-by-room decluttering checklist for a move

While creating a personal essentials checklist works, follow it when deciding what to pack and what to put on the table.

Things to remove from your kitchen

1. Unused devices:If a bread maker, stand mixer, or air fryer has been collecting dust in your pantry for months, get rid of it.

2. Overused Cutting Boards:Can't see the design or woodwork your cutting boards once had? They're probably due for an update and should go in your "Throw" stack.

3. Old Cups:How many cups do you actually use? Minimize your collection before moving and save valuable closet space.

4. Unnecessary paraphernalia:If you don't use this serving spoon now, chances are you won't be using it in your new home. Stand it up and free up space in your utensil drawer.

5. Expired Food:Always check the expiration date of canned goods before packaging them. If it's inedible, it shouldn't take up space in your pantry.

6. Scratched Pots And Pans:If they are damaged, they will need to be replaced, so don't waste space and resources moving them to your new home.

7. Old Potholders:Are your potholders burnt or dirty? Clean them out when you move and treat yourself (and your kitchen) to some new ones.

find moreTips for cleaning up the kitchento create more space in the center of your home.

Things to remove from your bathroom

8. Ragged Towels:If you don't want a guest to use them, then don't use them.

9. Expired Medication:Check labels on prescribed medications and remove anything that is past its prime.

10. Shampoo und Conditioner:Whether traveling or full-size, use up as much as you can before you move and start fresh with new toiletries.

11. Lotions:Are unopened or hardly used lotions taking a toll on your vanity? They probably should have been thrown away a long time ago.

12. Detergents:If you can't remember the last time you bought a new broom or mop, yours probably needs to be replaced.

13. Toilet Plunger:It's not hygienic to transport a used toilet plunger anywhere, so dispose of it before you move.

14. Drain plug:While drain plugs don't take up too much space, these are also unsanitary to move around. New bathroom, new plug!

15. Bath Mats:If your bath mats have gotten dirty over the years, swap them out for clean ones that match your new bathroom decor.

Also checkBathroom tidying tipsHere.

Things to remove from your office

16. Old Papers:If it's not important, put it up. If you think you'll need it one day, digitize it.

17. Filing Cabinets:How many papers are you archiving these days? Any important documents you have are probably digital. And if you've got a filing cabinet full of paperwork, trade it in for a drive—either Google or Flash. You'll thank yourself later.

18. Worn out pens and pencils:Chances are, old pens and pencils don't have much life left. Save yourself future frustration and buy a new pack.

19. Half-Filled Notebooks:If a notepad is partially filled with old notes and doodles, recycle it.

20. Outdated Calendars:2020 is over - leave it in the past where it belongs.

21. Old Plans:Do you still have a planner from more than five years ago? Clean it. Agendas are meant to organize future plans, not those that have already happened.

22. Old Computer Equipment:If you haven't used a mouse or wired keyboard in the last five years, you probably won't be anytime soon. Throw it away before moving.

23. Desk Lamps:Only have a home office? Then all you need is a desk lamp.

24. Paperclips:They are small, sharp and easy to lose. Buy them as needed.

Learn more about organization andEliminate order in the home office.

Things to remove from your living room

25. Furniture:If it's damaged, doesn't fit the space in your new home, or costs more to move than the replacement, discard it.

26. Radios:When you're not in the car, how often do you actually listen to the radio?

27. DVD-Player:In the age of streaming, DVD players are quickly becoming obsolete. Be ahead of the curve and line up yours.

28. DVDs:If you already erase your DVD player, you will also get rid of your old DVDs.

29. CDs:You've been able to buy, share and stream music online for over a decade. Any CDs you have should have been thrown away years ago.

30. Empty Photo Frames:If a frame doesn't hold a valuable family photo, it has no real purpose - declutter it before you move it.

31. TV:If the title still has "Box" then a TV upgrade is due. Also, newer TVs take up less space than their boxier counterparts.

32. Carpets:What are the odds that your old carpet will match your new home decor? If you haven't decided on a paint color yet, don't let your carpet decide on one.

33. Wall Art:Since you're designing a fresh new living room, old artwork that you no longer like shouldn't clutter up your walls.

34. Lamps:How many lamps do you actually use? If it's not your favorite reading lamp or your primary light source in the room, clean it when you move.

35. Magazines:Recycle old magazines and make room for newer issues.

36. Old Books:Any books you don't love or don't want to read again shouldn't make the trip.

Discover more possibilitiesDeclutter your living roomand make the room an oasis of relaxation.

"When you're cleaning out for a move, start with books. Saving pounds when you move by decluttering heavy books saves you time and money. Also, books are easy to pack because of their rectangular shape, so books are a good starting point for tidying up. Just remember to use smaller moving boxes for books so the boxes aren’t too heavy to carry.”

Ali Wenzke | Author of "The Art of Happy Movement"

Things to remove from your closet

37. Old Clothes:Any clothing that you have not worn in the past year should be discarded or donated.

38. Worn Out Shoes:Do you have old sneakers that are bursting at the seams? Throw them away and treat yourself to a new pair.

39. Additional Jewelry:If it's not worn regularly, a family heirloom or your wedding ring, dispose of it before you move.

40. Old Ceilings:Throw away your torn or stained blankets before moving day.

41. Linens:If you're moving to a king bed and your current sheets fit a queen, clean them.

42. Damaged or cheap toys:Donate any toys your child no longer loves or plays with and throw away any that are not in good condition.

43. Excess Hangers:Do you fold your clothes more often than you hang them up? Got some mismatched wire hangers from the dry cleaners? Put out all the excess hangers cluttering up your closet.

Make sure your closet is ready to move intowith these additional decluttering tips.

Things to remove from your basement

44. Devices:When you sign for a home, washers and dryers are usually part of the deal. Leave yours behind for an easier and cheaper move.

45. Sports equipment:A built-in gym in the basement seems ideal, but how often do you really use your treadmill or elliptical trainer? Skip the hassle of transporting your exercise equipment by selling or throwing it away.

46. ​​Old Holiday Decor:Did some decorations miss the cut last Christmas? They will probably do it again this year.

47. Stored Items:If you have knick-knacks and antiques gathering dust in your basement, put them up and free up valuable storage space.

48. Detergent:Transporting laundry detergent can be messy and needlessly a hassle – use as much as you can before you move.

49. Bleach:They say don't cry over spilled milk - try spilled bleach. Protect your belongings by leaving bleach and other potentially harmful chemicals behind. Be responsible when throwing away household chemicals.

50. Mousetraps:While they're great to have on hand, mousetraps aren't safe to move. In addition, they are inexpensive and easy to replace.

51. Tools:If you haven't used it in the last year or actually know how it works, donate or throw it away when you move.

Keep the momentum going with these other helpful tips forClear out your basement.

This is how you get rid of things that don't move with you

• Host a flea market:Are you willing to invest some time and effort?Hosting a garage salecan help you minimize your "purge" stack and make extra money. Essentially getting paid to clean up and prepare for a big move? It doesn't get much better.
• Donate some items:When moving day is fast approaching, selling your belongings can prolong the decluttering process. Consider donating to Goodwill or another local charity that will take away unwanted clothing, appliances, or furniture. Just make sure you donatemeet the guidelines of the charity.
• Sell ​​items online:Want to make a few bucks during your pre-move cleanup, but flea markets aren't your thing? Online auctions might be the way to go. If you have the time (and patience), creating listings on Craigslist, Ebay, or a Facebook community group will help you declutter your home and maximize your bottom line.
• Rent dumpster:Don't have time to organize a flea market or look through donation items?Rent dumpstersis the most efficient way to get rid of stuff before a move. It makes tidying up hassle free as you don't have to rearrange anything yourself.

Moving day is more enjoyable when you don't overpay movers or stumble upon household rubbish. By minimizing before you move, you simplify the process and ensure your belongings have a place in your new home.

So you decluttered before you moved… now what?

Are you still afraid of moving after decluttering? Read through these articles to calm your nerves and better prepare for your big move.

• Everything you need to do before moving
• How to downsize your home before moving
• Home staging tips to sell your home faster