Getting ready to move? We know the moving process can be tough physically, mentally and expensive! So why not make it easier by decluttering the mess… before you move?
Now that you are wondering how to prepare for a big move, it’s time to consider what to get rid of before boxing in order to pare down your belongings and save money! We will guide you through what to declutter, and throw in a few moving organization tips.
Declutter Checklist for Moving
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Why Organize and Declutter Before a Move
Outside of saving yourself the stress of decluttering after you move, there are a number of benefits most don’t realize with moving organization and how to prepare for a move.
Save money 💰
This topic would definitely be of interest to most! Decluttering before moving, purging and getting rid of stuff before moving can cut down on transportation costs, especially if you’re using a moving company.
Most charge by weight, so cutting down on items will make your wallet happy.
Less packing materials 📦
Less items also means less money spent on packing materials, which can actually help the environment, cutting down on any waste that comes from throwing cardboard, duct tape and other materials away. Keep this in mind when you start packing!
Less items to organize after a move 🗄️
Starting the decluttering process before moving day will allow for more personal time to get acclimated in your new home later on. It can also make for less of a mess in your storage unit should you choose to use one.
It may even be worth doing a trial run when your house needs cleaning, declutter like you’re moving ahead of time to prepare. And in the end, when you start early, you will have room in your new place to set up your home exactly how you want.
What to Declutter Before A Move
Organizing and decluttering before a move can not only help you start packing, it’s also an important step in making sure your move goes smoothly. You’ll be left with less of a mess and fewer items to haul, which is big when you’re moving long distance.
It’s hard to go into a decluttering project without a plan.
You’ll want to start early in order to save you time later. You’ll need to create a plan based on a few categories to help guide you to clean out the house before moving.
Here are a few things to think about before you decide what to get rid of when moving.
Tips to stay organized for a move
- Put together a household inventory list: A good way to stay organized before you move is to keep track with a declutter checklist.
- The distance of your move and the size of your new place: This is key when getting ready for a move, but also for decluttering, as you can only bring so much.
- Keep the appliances and furniture you use the most: If you have a trusty refrigerator that’s never failed you or you love your stove oven, hold on to them.
- Don’t be afraid to let go of memories: This can be a hard part of the moving process and life, but as the saying goes: Let go of the old to make way for the new!
- Throw away things you won’t buy again before you move: Do you have items you bought thinking you’ll need but they’ve gone unused? It’s probably best to let it go.
What to Throw Away When Moving
The best way to learn which things to get rid of when moving is to follow closely with your moving list and packing plan. What do you absolutely need? There’s always a great rule of thumb for getting rid of things.
How to Purge Before a Big Move? The 20/20 Rule.
An easy way to help with how to get rid of clutter while moving, especially with sentimental items, is to follow the 20/20 rule. It’s simple you should get rid of an item if:
- If it costs less than 20 dollars to replace the item.
- If it takes less than 20 minutes to replace the item.
Following the 20/20 rule is great for your getting ready to move checklist, but it can also help with the harder processes, such as letting go of mementos that hold memories. As much as you want to keep them, it will make the move much easier.
Where To Start Decluttering at Home Before a Move
First and foremost, you’ll want to follow closely with your decluttering checklist to help you decided where exactly to declutter.
A good practice is to go into each room of your home. Start with the rooms you use the least.
This will allow you to go through your old memorabilia from those rooms, which often can be the hardest part, and it could take the most time.
No matter how you choose to tackle moving organization by room, you’re going to want to utilize piles. While the piles of clutter on their own can be an issue, organized piles of both “clutter” and “keep” can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to prepare for a move.
Need to get rid of old appliances?” LEARN MORE ❯
Make two piles for each room. You may want to use waste baskets to keep it even more organized. For example, in the bathroom you’d have one pile labeled keep and another clutter. Once you’ve done this in each room, you can quickly grab your keep piles and pack them up and send off the clutter piles for disposal.
LoadUp Can Help with Leftover Junk Removal
No matter how much you prepare before you move to clear your home of clutter, there comes a time when the mess is just too much.
There’s no shame in asking for help when the clutter piles up and you’re running short on time. That’s why LoadUp has on-demand junk removal to help with all your moving needs.
When you book online, not only can Loaders haul away your clutter piles, but can also dispose of them in an eco-friendly way. And once you have everything packed and moved, we can help with the leftovers.
While we’re not professional organizers (you’re on your own there), we know a thing or two about how to get rid of stuff before moving. We’ll also work with local recycling and donation centers to make sure we’re keeping your neighborhood green.
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