What to Get Rid of When Moving

Moving to a new place can be exciting but also overwhelming, especially if you have a lot of stuff to pack. For this reason, it is important to think about what you really need to keep when moving and what you can donate, sell, or throw away. It is the perfect opportunity to start fresh, leaving behind the clutter that can weigh you down.

But how to decide what to keep when moving? It can be challenging, so we have prepared a list that should help you make this choice. Take a look at it and declutter your space!

How to Decide What to Keep When Moving? – Practical Tips

Take a look at some examples of items that typically can be thrown away, donated, or sold before you move to make your relocation easier.

Sentimental Items

Sentimental items tend to be the main part of your unnecessary clutter, but they are also often the hardest things to let go of. However, remember that all the precious memories will stay in your heart no matter what, so you don’t need physical objects to cherish them.

Sentimental Items Checklist ✅

• Old Greeting Cards and Holiday Cards: While some cards are keepsakes, others lose meaning over time. Keep only those with truly meaningful messages or from the most significant occasions.
• Children’s Artwork and School Projects: Consider photographing your child’s artwork instead of keeping every single piece. Select a few favorite pieces to take with you to the new home, and let go of the rest.
• Unused Gifts: Gifts that you received but never used may work better for someone else, so consider donating, re-gifting, or selling them. It’s okay to pass these on without guilt, as the sentiment behind the gift remains, even if the item itself doesn’t stay with you.

Books, Magazines, and Paperwork

Another important step in decluttering your home before moving is getting rid of everything paper-related that you don’t need anymore. Moving is a perfect opportunity to sort through these items and let go of anything that no longer serves a purpose in your life.

Books, Magazines, and Paperwork Checklist ✅

• Books You Won’t Read Again: While many people feel emotionally attached to their books, typically, they don’t even plan to read them again. Donate or sell novels you’ve already read or textbooks you no longer need so that they can get a new life in someone else’s hands.
• Outdated Magazines: Magazines tend to pile up quickly, so recycling them before the move can save quite some space. If you’re keeping a magazine for a specific piece (like a favorite recipe or inspiring article), consider tearing it out or photographing it and getting rid of the rest.
• Old or Irrelevant Paperwork: Paperwork is often a major source of clutter. Sort through your files and shred anything you no longer need, like outdated utility bills or old bank statements. Keep only the essential documents, like tax returns, recent medical records, and legal papers.

Unused Clothes and Accessories

Clothing and accessories are some of the most common items people hold onto, even if they’re rarely worn. Moving creates a great opportunity to go through your wardrobe and check what actually still fits your current size and style.

Unused Clothes and Accessories Checklist ✅

• Outdated or Outgrown Pieces: Clothing that no longer fits your style or size can be donated or recycled. Keep only items you feel good in and wear regularly.
• Items Not Worn in the Past Year: If you haven’t worn something in the last year, it’s often a sign that it’s time to let it go. Exceptions can be made for special occasion outfits, but everyday wear should earn its place in your closet.
• Damaged or Worn-Out Clothing: Pieces that are stained, torn, or no longer wearable should be tossed or, if possible, recycled. Keeping only wearable clothes will reduce the unnecessary clutter in your new place’s wardrobe and help you find what you are looking for more easily.
• Duplicates and Excessive Accessories: A closet full of duplicates or accessories rarely worn can make it harder to find what you need. Try to keep only a few of each essential type, like scarves, hats, and belts.

Kitchenware and Appliances

The kitchen is often one of the most cluttered areas in the home, filled with gadgets, utensils, and cookware that you don’t really use often. Moving is a great opportunity to examine your kitchen items closer and let go of anything that’s unnecessary, broken, or rarely used.

Kitchenware and Appliances Checklist ✅

• Duplicate Items: Many kitchens end up with duplicates, such as multiple spatulas, extra mugs, or multiple sets of measuring cups. Keep only what you regularly use.
• Rarely Used Appliances: Appliances like bread makers, juicers, or food processors take up a lot of space. If you use an appliance less than once every few months, it may be better to donate or sell it.
• Worn-Out Pots and Pans: Cookware that’s scratched, dented, or damaged in any other way should be thrown away, as it should be replaced anyway.
• Expired or Unused Pantry Items: Before moving, go through your pantry and toss any expired food items, spices, or ingredients you no longer use.

Why Should I Declutter My House Before I Move?

Here are some of the main reasons why it is a great idea to get rid of certain things before moving:

• Fewer Packing Supplies: The fewer items you need to pack, the fewer packing supplies you will need, such as boxes, furniture, blankets, or bubble wrap. So, by decluttering your space, you can contribute to certain savings.
• Lower Transportation Fees: Having less to transport will further reduce the costs of your moving. Keep in mind that the total weight of your load is one of the factors professionals consider when calculating the price for their moving services.
• Less Time-Consuming Packing: Getting rid of unnecessary items before packing will make the process easier and faster, allowing you to focus on more important aspects of your relocation.
• More Space at Your New Home: With fewer items from your old home, it will be easier to unpack and settle in at your new location and find the right place for all the things you actually need.
• More Eco-Friendly: Fewer packing materials and reduced fuel consumption for transportation make your moving better for the environment.
• Possible Extra Cash: Selling the items that are still usable can earn you extra money. You can organize a garage sale or sell them online.

Get Professional Moving Help

Letting go of items that no longer serve you—whether they’re clothes, kitchen gadgets, or sentimental items—frees up space and helps you focus on the things that truly matter.

Deciding on what to get rid of when moving will give you a fresh start and help you organize your new space more easily and quickly, so it’s worth doing, even though it may be difficult.

To make the whole relocation process less stressful and challenging, consider hiring professional movers from Qshark. We take care of both local and long-distance moves, helping individuals and businesses pack and transport all their necessary belongings to their new places.

We can adapt to your schedule and assist you in your moving whenever you need us. Contact us now for a free quote!