Getting ready to move? We know the process can be physically exhausting, mentally draining, and expensive. So why not make it easier by decluttering the mess before you move?
If you’re wondering how to get rid of everything and move without the stress, it starts with knowing what to toss before you start packing. We’ll walk you through how to declutter a house fast and share smart moving organization tips to lighten your load and your moving costs!
Declutter Checklist for Moving
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Why You Should Declutter Before Moving
Decluttering before a move doesn’t just reduce stress it also helps you save time, money, and energy. When you declutter before moving you’ll have fewer items to pack, load, and unpack, which can make a big difference on moving day. Plus, organizing and decluttering before moving lets you focus on what truly matters in your new space.
Cut Moving Costs by Decluttering 💰
Decluttering before a move doesn’t just lighten your load, it can actually save you money. With fewer items to pack and transport, you’ll reduce overall moving expenses.
Since many moving companies charge based on weight or volume, minimizing what you bring means a more affordable move.
Use Fewer Packing Materials 📦
Having fewer items means you’ll spend less on packing supplies. This not only saves money but also helps reduce waste from cardboard, duct tape, and other materials. Keep this in mind as you start packing!
Enjoy a More Organized Move-In 🗄️
Decluttering before moving day gives you more time to settle into your new home without the stress of sorting through clutter. It can also reduce mess if you plan to use a storage unit.
Consider doing a trial declutter when cleaning your current home, declutter like you’re moving to prepare ahead. Starting early helps ensure you have space to arrange your new home just the way you want.
What to Declutter Before a Move
Organizing and decluttering before a move not only helps you start packing early but also makes the entire moving process smoother. With fewer items to haul you’ll reduce stress and save time.
Jumping into decluttering without a plan can quickly become overwhelming.
Starting early is key. Create a plan based on specific categories to guide your efforts and help you clean out your home efficiently before moving day.
Here are some important things to consider when deciding 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 decide what to get rid of when moving is to follow your moving checklist and packing plan closely. Ask yourself: What do you truly need to keep? There’s a helpful rule of thumb for purging before a big move.
How to Purge Before a Big Move: The 20/20 Rule
An easy way to tackle decluttering before moving is to use the 20/20 rule. It’s simple: consider getting 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 fits perfectly into your getting ready to move checklist, and it also helps with the tougher part of moving: letting go of mementos that hold sentimental value. While it’s hard to part with these items, doing so will make your move much easier and less stressful.
Where To Start Decluttering at Home Before a Move
First and foremost, follow your decluttering checklist closely to help decide where to begin.
A smart strategy is to go room by room, starting with the ones you use the least.
These areas often hold the most sentimental items, which can take more time to sort through so tackling them early is a good move.
No matter how you approach organizing by room, be sure to create piles. While cluttered piles can feel overwhelming, organized piles labeled “keep” and “donate” can seriously cut down your packing time.
Need to get rid of old appliances? LEARN MORE ❯
For each room, make two clear piles: one for items to keep and another for things to let go of. You can even use baskets or bins to stay organized. For example, in the bathroom, label one bin “Keep” and the other “Clutter.” Once you’ve sorted each room, packing is easy just box up your keep piles and arrange removal for the rest.
LoadUp Can Help with Leftover Junk Removal
Even with the best prep, moving can still leave you overwhelmed with leftover junk.
There’s no shame in needing a hand, especially when time is tight. That’s why LoadUp offers on-demand junk removal to take care of the mess during or after your move. Our moving services make clearing out fast and easy.
When you book online, our Loaders can haul away your unwanted items and handle disposal responsibly. Once you’re settled into your new place, we can return to clear out any leftover clutter, too.
While we’re not professional organizers (we’ll leave that part to you), we know how to make junk disappear. We’ll even work with local recycling and donation centers to help keep your community green.
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