Tips to Declutter Before Moving

Reduce Moving Costs

One of the primary benefits of decluttering is cost reduction. The fewer items you have to move, the lower your moving expenses will be. Moving companies often charge based on the weight and volume of your belongings, so by eliminating unnecessary items, you can significantly cut down on costs​.

Simplify Packing and Unpacking

Decluttering makes packing more manageable and unpacking less overwhelming. When you sort through your belongings beforehand, you can organize and pack them more systematically. This organization translates into an easier unpacking process, allowing you to settle into your new home more quickly and efficiently.

Create a Fresh Start

Moving to a new home offers the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. Decluttering helps you let go of items that no longer serve you, making space for new experiences and memories in your new environment. A decluttered home is not only more aesthetically pleasing but also promotes a sense of calm and order, which is especially important during the often chaotic moving process​​.

Decluttering by Location

This method involves tackling one room or area at a time. For example, you might start with the kitchen, move on to the living room, and then handle the bedrooms. This room-by-room strategy allows you to see progress in specific areas, making the process feel more manageable​.

Decluttering by Category

Alternatively, you can declutter by category, such as clothing, books, or kitchenware. This involves gathering all items of a specific category from different parts of your home and sorting them together. This method helps you see the full extent of what you own in each category, making it easier to identify duplicates and unnecessary items​​.

Start Early

The sooner you start decluttering, the smoother your move will be. As soon as you know you’re moving, begin sorting through your belongings. This will give you ample time to thoughtfully go through each item without feeling rushed or overwhelmed​.

Gather Supplies

Before diving into decluttering, gather all necessary supplies. You will need:

• Boxes: Various sizes for packing different items
• Trash Bags: For items that need to be discarded
• Donation Bins: For items you plan to give away
• Labels and Markers: To keep everything organized

Having these supplies on hand will make the process more efficient and help you stay organized​​.

Sort Items

Create a sorting system to categorize your belongings into five groups:

1. Keep Items you will take with you to your new home.
2. Donate Items in good condition that can be donated.
3. Sell Valuable items that you can sell.
4. Recycle Items that can be recycled rather than trashed.
5. Trash Items that are broken, outdated, or no longer usable​.

Kitchen:

• Discard expired food and spices
• Donate or sell small appliances you rarely use
• Recycle old plastic containers and utensils

Living Room:

• Sort through books, DVDs, and magazines
• Donate or sell unused decor
• Evaluate furniture and decide what fits in your new space

Bedrooms:

• Go through clothing and donate items you haven’t worn in a year
• Sort through shoes, accessories, and seasonal items
• Clear out nightstands and dressers

Bathrooms:

• Dispose of expired medications and beauty products
• Donate unopened toiletries
• Organize remaining items in bins or baskets

Garage:

• Discard broken tools and equipment
• Donate sports gear and outdoor items you no longer use
• Sort through holiday decorations and storage items​​.

Use the 20/20 Rule

The 20/20 rule can help you make quick decisions about items you’re hesitant to let go of. If you can replace an item for less than $20 and in under 20 minutes, it’s safe to discard it. This rule helps minimize the “just in case” mentality that leads to clutter​.

Ask Critical Questions

When deciding whether to keep an item, ask yourself:

• Do I use this regularly?
• Does it serve a purpose in my life?
• Does it hold significant sentimental value? These questions help you focus on what’s truly important and eliminate unnecessary items​.

Use a Three-Box System

A three-box system is an effective way to organize your decluttering efforts:

1. Keep Box: For items you will move with you.
2. Donate Box: For items in good condition that others can use.
3. Discard Box: For items that are no longer useful or needed. This system keeps you organized and ensures you’re making progress​.

Clothing

When decluttering clothing, focus on:

• Seasonal Items: Pack away off-season clothing.
• Rarely Worn Clothes: Donate items you haven’t worn in a year.
• Sentimental Pieces: Keep only those with significant sentimental value​.

Furniture

Measure your new space to ensure your furniture fits. Donate or sell items that won’t fit or that you no longer need. This reduces moving costs and helps create a functional layout in your new home​​.

Paperwork

Organize and digitize important documents to reduce paper clutter. Shred and recycle outdated or unnecessary paperwork. Use folders and labeled boxes for essential documents you need to keep physical copies of​​.

Food

Check expiration dates and minimize food waste. Plan meals to use up what you have, and donate non-perishable items that you won’t consume before the move. This helps reduce the load and ensures you start fresh in your new kitchen​​.

Identify Local Donation Centers

Research local donation centers and understand their requirements. Many organizations will accept gently used clothing, furniture, and household items. Some may even offer pickup services for large donations​​.

Schedule Donation Pickups

For large items or bulk donations, schedule pickups in advance. This ensures your donations are collected on time, and you’re not left with unwanted items on moving day​.

Properly Recycle Electronics and Hazardous Materials

Dispose of electronics and hazardous materials responsibly. Look for local e-waste recycling programs or hazardous waste disposal events. This ensures these items are handled properly and don’t harm the environment​​.

Tips for Organizing Packed Boxes

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to start packing efficiently. Begin by grouping similar items together and packing them into appropriately sized boxes. Use smaller boxes for heavier items like books and larger boxes for lighter items like linens. Fill any gaps with packing paper or bubble wrap to prevent items from shifting during transit​ (The Homes I Have Made)​​ (Declutter in Minutes)​.

Labeling Boxes by Room and Content

Label each box with its destination room and a brief description of its contents. This will make the unpacking process much smoother, allowing you to prioritize which boxes to open first. Consider using color-coded labels or stickers to easily identify boxes at a glance​ (PODS)​​ (Minimalism)​.

Preparing a Necessity Box for the First Days in the New Home

Pack a necessity box with items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen supplies, important documents, and any other items you’ll need to have on hand during the first few days. This box should be clearly marked and kept easily accessible​ (The Homes I Have Made)​​ (SEKA Moving & Storage)​.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Organizers

Hiring a professional organizer can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you’re overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you need to sort through. Professional organizers can provide expert advice, help you make tough decisions, and create a systematic plan for decluttering and packing​.

Temporary Storage Options Like Portable Storage Containers

If you need temporary storage for items you can’t decide on or want to move in stages, consider using portable storage containers. These containers can be delivered to your home, filled at your convenience, and then stored at a secure facility or transported to your new location. This flexibility can make the moving process less stressful and more organized​​.

Reach Out to Qshark Moving for Comprehensive Moving Services

For a truly hassle-free move, consider contacting Qshark Moving. Our comprehensive moving services include everything from packing and transportation to storage solutions. With the professional help of our seasoned moving team, you can focus on settling into your new home while they handle the logistics of your move​​.