Scroll through almost any social media app, and you’ll find post after post with advice on how to declutter and become more organized. But why should we do it? Does it make a difference? 

Reducing clutter before moving does have many benefits:

  • It’s less for you to pack.
  • Fewer items equal less time for the movers to load/unload the truck.
  • Less clutter makes it easier to find things you need when you need them.
  • Clearing away unneeded clutter gives you a fresh start in your new home.

Before moving, you can learn to declutter like a pro to help save time, hassle, and maybe even money.

The Big Stuff

A household move to a new home often is a fresh start, and it may be the ideal time to ditch that worn sofa with the odd smell, ripped cushion, and mystery stain on the arm. Because many moving companies charge by weight, getting rid of a bulky piece of furniture may save money. 

Removing that old sofa also helps declutter the room if you’re still showing your current home to prospective buyers.

Space in the new home is another reason to get rid of the big stuff. Your current living room furniture may be too big or even too small. Maybe the new place doesn’t have space for a chest-style freezer. Big stuff extends to items like desks, end tables, and bookcases.

Clothing

Preparing for a move is the perfect time to inventory each family member’s clothing because most individuals tend to wear the same favorite items weekly. To declutter like a pro, dig into those closets, drawers, and totes filled with seasonal clothes and begin downsizing the wardrobes.

How many items were bought and only worn once? Which items are the wrong size? Which are simply out-of-date or worn out?

Begin by asking these three questions and purging those items. Donate or sell what you can.

Kitchen Clutter

Sort through the kitchen cabinets and get rid of unneeded stuff. Eliminate old plastic containers, the stack of freebie cups from fast food places, and the out-of-date spices, canned goods, and other packaged items that you won’t be moving. Consider donating or selling small appliances that you no longer use.

Toys, Collectibles, and Artwork

Kids’ toys and school artwork can overtake a room quickly. Sort through the piles of toys and decide what can be donated or sold. Pull outgrown, but cherished, toys aside, and prepare for long-term storage (don’t forget to remove the batteries.)

Instead of storing school projects and artwork in totes, consider selecting a few pieces to save and move to your new home. Take pictures of the rest and create a photo album that will take up a lot less room.

Sort Items in Storage

Hit the attic, basement, or other storage spaces and sort through what’s there. This often is overlooked when preparing for a move. However, likely, several items are no longer needed or wanted. This helps reduce storage clutter and the number of boxes that have to be moved.

According to BecomingMinimalist.com, the National Soap and Detergent Association reports that reducing clutter can help eliminate approximately 40-percent of housework in the average home. Learning to declutter like a pro not only helps reduce and organize things for our move, but it also can make a difference after the move. Less clutter equals less cleaning time and more time to do what you enjoy.

Ready to Move

If you have plans to move, we can help. Contact us for a free quote. We can help get you to your new home quickly and efficiently.