How to Declutter Before Moving With a Large Family

One of the best ways to ensure a stress-costless motility is to declutter your domicile. Decluttering is also a slap-up way to laurels the memories y'all made in your erstwhile habitation before starting a new chapter. Even if y'all don't remember your home is very cluttered, chances are you have at to the lowest degree a handful of things lying around that you could practice without. The closer you await, the more yous'll discover.

There'due south no shame in realizing that your domicile has go a storage unit for broken, surplus, and expired stuff—it happens to everyone. You lot think you know how much stuff you have until it comes time to move it all to a new dwelling. Suddenly, you're surrounded by items you didn't know you had or accept never seen before. It's as if your belongings multiplied when y'all weren't looking!

The best fourth dimension to get rid of all the excess is when you are preparing for a move. Getting rid of items yous don't want or need will salve yous valuable fourth dimension, coin, and effort. Decluttering before yous motion means yous won't spend time packing upwardly things you no longer desire or demand. You'll utilise fewer boxes, take up less space on the moving truck, and require fewer movers to assist yous go everything to your new dwelling.

If y'all aren't sure what to function with, follow our room-by-room checklists beneath. At the terminate of the checklists, we'll also give yous a few tips for getting started with decluttering.

Decluttering for a Move: Room-past-Room Checklist

The following checklists are organized past room to help you tackle the challenge of decluttering in a systematic way. The time it takes to declutter each room volition vary by household, simply we recommend spending about one week per room every bit a dominion of pollex.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, yous'll desire to get rid of annihilation that is broken, mismatched, surplus or simply never used. This includes:

• Expired food
• Sauce packets
• Small appliances
• Kitchen tools and utensils
• Cookware
• Plastic containers and lids
• Water bottles and coffee tumblers
• Old cookbooks

Expired Nutrient

Nosotros all have a trend to keep expired food without even realizing information technology. The most mutual culprits are things we don't use very often, similar condiments and sauces. (Nosotros're looking at you, ketchup.) Annihilation that is expired may not be rubber or healthy to consume, so it's important to get rid of information technology before you move. Become through your pantry, fridge, and cabinets. Get rid of anything that is past its expiration appointment.

Sauce Packets

Is it but us, or do sauce packets seem to appear out of thin air? Assemble up all those old packets and dump them. They're probably expired anyway!

Small Appliances

Older appliances that are still in working condition should be thoroughly cleaned and donated. Only anything that no longer works or has corroded or exposed wiring should be tossed out for safety. And past tossed out, nosotros mean responsibly disposed of. You can even consider recycling old kitchen appliances such every bit microwaves, blenders, and toasters.

Kitchen Tools and Utensils

Kitchen tools and utensils are mutual items y'all may have collected over the years. To declutter these items, consider using Marie Kondo's approach: assemble all of your kitchen utensils in one place and sort them by type or category. This will allow yous to see how many of each tool you have. You may exist surprised at how many silicone spatulas, tongs, bottle openers (etc.) you've amassed. Really, how many measuring cups does ane household demand? Continue your favorites and donate the rest.

Cookware

Cookie sheets and baking dishes often make upwardly the majority of surplus cookware. Other items to look for and donate are lids that have no matching pots and the pizza rock yous probably never employ.

Plastic Containers and Lids

Alone lids are besides a problem when it comes to plastic containers. Attempt to lucifer all of your containers with their corresponding chapeau, and you lot will probably find quite a few that no longer take a partner. Donate the containers that are in good condition, and consider recycling the rest. Check the bottom of your plastic containers for the recycling symbol and contact your local recycling plant or waste direction department with questions. If your containers are Tupperware® make, they may be covered nether one of the brand's renowned warranty programs.

H2o Bottles and Java Tumblers

Whether due to changing way, new product design, or a simple fascination with liquid containers, many of us have a growing collection of water bottles and java tumblers. Proceed the ones y'all use the almost, and donate or trash the rest.

Old Cookbooks

Some people have a enshroud of cookbooks, others have stacks of recipes torn out of magazines. (So there are those of us who have both!) However y'all're currently storing your recipes, your collection could probably employ a thinning out. A great way to declutter your recipes is to scan them and shop them digitally. Of course, if yous have heirloom cookbooks or recipe cards, we strongly advise you lot continue them.

Living Room & Family Room

Living rooms and family unit rooms are shared spaces that collect items from every person in your household. Often, these rooms are 1 and the same then we're grouping them together in this checklist. Take a look around these spaces and scan for items that are onetime/outdated, broken or that you simply no longer desire. Decluttering your living room and family room earlier a move won't just make your move easier, it volition also bring a sense of calm to these agile spaces in the weeks leading upwardly to moving day.

• Books
• DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, and cassettes (former media)
• DVD and VHS players
• Game consoles, gear, and extra controllers
• Kids' toys
• Magazines
• Pet toys and bedding

Books

Nosotros're non suggesting that you should throw away or requite abroad all your books. However, in that location are more than efficient ways to store and access books at present that we accept eastward-reader technology. Books are heavy items to move and crave multiple smaller boxes, which leads to more waste. Instead of moving an entire home library, consider looking for electronic versions of books you lot read frequently and donate the hard copies. Donate anything you don't read or will never read to a library or local school. (Permit's be honest, we all accept books on our shelves that are more than aspirational than applied!) If y'all have special books that concord sentimental value, definitely put those in the "go on" pile.

DVDs, CDs, VHS Tapes, and Cassettes (Old Media)

It's mutual to collect a lot of entertainment items such as movies and CDs over the years. Are there any that you are willing to part with? With the advent of streaming services such as Netflix, Pandora, and Spotify, information technology's non necessary to keep large physical collections of music and movies anymore. These are some of the easiest items to declutter before a move. Donate your old media to a library or thrift store. If you have any collector'south editions, it might exist worth posting them on Ebay.

DVD and VHS Players

Since you're already immigration out your former media, y'all won't need those old media players! Yous also won't need all the cords and cables that come with them. Declutter these items before you move and you'll thank us. Seriously.

Game Consoles, Gear, and Extra Controllers

If y'all have kids (or you're just a kid at eye), you probably have a stash of video games that yous can retire from your collection. Just like with old media players, this ways you'll too be able to get rid of all the extra cables and ancillary components that go with your onetime game systems.

Kids' Toys

Kids accumulate a lot of stuff. They also get through phases and outgrow things quickly. Anything your kids have outgrown can exist donated to do good some other family. Help your kids understand how donating their toys can help other kids experience joy. Besides, let help them see that they're making room for new items so they don't focus on missing what they are giving upwardly.

Magazines

If yous accept one or more mag subscriptions, then you probably have a collection of one-time magazines you lot don't need anymore. Consider converting your subscription to a digital subscription (almost publications offering this at present), and recycle your old issues. If yous'd rather find creative ways to use them, cheque out this commodity from NC State University.

Pet Toys and Bedding

Is Fluffy's favorite toy falling apart? Has the scratching post seen ameliorate days? Pets are hard on their stuff. Rather than taking all the quondam toys and bedding with you lot when you move, declutter it until you have but a couple of items for each pet. You tin can (and probably should) get new items to supervene upon the erstwhile ones.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are some of the best places to do major decluttering before a move. Closets and dressers become storage areas that are frequently inaccessible because of the sheer amount of items they contain. Information technology'due south good exercise to go through our clothes, shoes, and accessories at least once a yr to articulate out annihilation we no longer desire or need.

• Hangers
• Clothes and shoes
• Jewelry and accessories

Hangers

Who doesn't have more than hangers than they know what to exercise with? Extra hangers make for great donations to friends, family, or thrift stores.

Apparel and Shoes

Annihilation that no longer fits, you haven't worn in over a year, or you simply no longer similar or desire should be donated. Notice a cloth recycling dropoff in your area. Feeling crafty? Repurpose your old clothing! Looking to make a little money on like-new vesture or shoes? Take them to a consignment shop.

Jewelry and Accessories

Jewelry and accessories get out of fashion apace, then there'due south lots of decluttering potential here. Keep your special pieces of jewelry, but consider brightening someone else's day past donating the pieces you no longer wear. Jewelry, along with gently used handbags and belts, tin can also exist brought to a consignment shop.

Bathrooms

Similar kitchens, bathrooms accumulate items with a shelf life. This should make it easier to declutter your bathrooms before moving. If information technology's expired or past its prime, get rid of it.

• Expired medicine
• Toiletries
• Old cosmetics and beauty supplies
• Beauty tools (makeup brushes, combs, hair dryers, flat irons, etc)

Expired Medicine

Your medicine cabinet, vanity drawers, and under-sink storage are likely filled with expired Asprin, ointments, and prescription medication. Yous definitely don't want to keep these items in your business firm, much less move them to your new dwelling house. Exist sure to become rid of expired medicine responsibly—don't simply flush it downward the drain or dump it in a trash tin. The Drug Enforcement Administration has helpful data on how to properly dispose of medication.

Toiletries

Toiletries may not have an expiration date on them, only there are definitely things you don't want to pack and move. Almost-empty containers of balm, liquid soap, and toothpaste can become. Extra (unused) toothbrushes and floss, nonetheless, you should probably go on for hereafter use.

Old Cosmetics and Beauty Supplies

Yes, cosmetics and beauty supplies practise have a shelf life! Most items will brainstorm to abound bacteria, especially if exposed to heat and wet. Keep these items far away from your peel, and definitely declutter (dispose of) them earlier you move.

Beauty Tools

Most households only need i (or maybe two) hairdryers, apartment irons, and crimper irons. Any more than than that is probably backlog that can be donated. Combs and brushes can likewise accumulate over the years, so consider decluttering these items before yous move equally well. Makeup brushes should be kept make clean, and if they're past their prime or just too dingy to thoroughly sanitize, then consider getting rid of them.

Linen Closets

Is at that place annihilation more comforting than a neat and tidy linen closet? Decluttering your closets before moving is a great way to bring a piddling fleck of repose to your daily life. Linens that you lot don't want to get rid of tin exist used to pack delicate items for more efficient packing.

• Linens (towels, blankets, sheets, quilts, and comforters)
• Arts and crafts and sewing supplies

Linens

Old linens make for excellent donations to animal shelters. They as well make dandy cleaning rags and paint driblet cloths! (This will come up in handy if y'all're planning to stage your firm and need to repaint walls.) Look for ways to declutter your linen closet by repurposing your old linens or donating them before you move.

Craft and Sewing Supplies

Unless you plan to have a designated craft room in your new business firm (or crafting is your hobby), and so you probably won't ever use all the arts and crafts and sewing supplies you have tucked away. Rather than simply throwing these items out, consider altruistic them to a local school, military camp, or non-profit.

Garage

The garage—aka the storage room—has a reputation for being jam-packed with all the stuff you should probably get rid of only are keeping for some reason. Use extra discernment when decluttering your garage before moving, with an eye on how much space you'll have at your new home.

• Tools and hardware
• Construction materials (plywood, insulation, etc)
• Gardening supplies
• Camping gear
• Parts to appliances you lot no longer use
• Chiliad décor
• Broken items
• Party supplies
• Kids' toys
• Extra auto parts
• Miscellaneous

Everyone'due south garage looks unlike, but for almost all of the states, the garage is where we put the things we don't know what to do with. Carefully evaluate everything yous've been storing. Anything that hasn't been used in years can be tossed or donated. Broken items (you know, the ones y'all've been pregnant to set up merely haven't gotten around to it) should also be tossed or donated. Freecycle is a great way to proceed all of this stuff out of landfills and give it a new chance at life.

Home Office

• Quondam documents
• Old electronics
• Pedagogy manuals

Old Documents

With everything digitalized nowadays, it'southward not ever necessary to keep physical copies of documents. While in that location are exceptions (birth certificates and social security cards, for example), most things can be transferred to your computer or an external difficult bulldoze for safe keeping. Any documents older than seven years are not necessary to continue around. Consider getting a shredder or taking documents with sensitive data to a place similar UPS, which offers shredding services.

One-time Electronics

Technology is constantly evolving and so most of us have old cellphones and other electronics gathering grit in a drawer. Do you really demand them? Well-nigh electronics tin be sold or recycled for their parts.

Instruction Manuals

Giving away lots of electronics or appliances? Make certain yous're not keeping the manuals. If yous're altruistic items that are however in working condition and you have the transmission, become ahead and donate the manual every bit well. If you are keeping manuals for items you no longer have, and then definitely recycle them (if you tin can) or trash them (if they're not recyclable).

How to Beginning Decluttering for a Motility

At present that you have your checklists, it'southward time to get started! The all-time place to showtime decluttering is in the room that contains items you use the least often. This allows you to fully pack or get rid of items without the anxiety that you will need to unpack and apply something in the virtually future. Beneath are a few more tips to help you on your decluttering journey.

Commencement Early

Every bit shortly as y'all know y'all'll be moving, it's a good time to start the decluttering process. Don't try to do it all in 1 mean solar day; start a few months in advance and take your time in each room. Information technology's a lot less stressful if you lot give yourself plenty of fourth dimension to go it washed. You'll also be able to make better decisions and give each item fair consideration instead of ultimately throwing everything in a box to take to the new house because y'all've run out of time.

Prepare

Have plenty of heavy duty trash bags on hand, as well as some moving boxes. You lot'll want the trash bags for anything you don't want to keep and boxes for the things you practice desire to keep, equally well every bit anything you program on altruistic. A shredder is very handy to accept for documents older than 7 years that you don't need to accept with y'all. Also, be sure to have enough of packing record and packing paper for anything that needs to be wrapped upwards.

Dissever & Conquer

While y'all're working on a room, take iii piles: keep, toss, and donate. (You can also kickoff an optional 4th pile for annihilation you're not sure almost yet.) When you lot're done with the room, wait back at the piles and meet if yous'd like to make any changes – perchance yous've decided don't desire to keep something afterwards all and would rather donate it – then pack them upwards in their respective bags/boxes.

Be Discerning

Information technology tin exist very tempting to keep everything. An of import thing to keep in listen while decluttering a abode for a move is to think nearly how often you really utilise an item, where that item will go in the new home, and whether you dearest it or not. Anything yous haven't used in the concluding year should probably be tossed or donated, as information technology'due south not probable you'll need it now if you haven't in over a year. When information technology comes to things like décor or clothing, ask yourself if it's something you truly dear. If you don't have stiff feelings about it, get rid of it. Recall, anything you take with y'all will take up space in the new dwelling house. If you lot don't love it or demand it, leave information technology behind and so you can make room for things you do actually want or need.

Keep It Going

Fifty-fifty after you lot've decluttered every room, feel free to add things to each pile every bit you begin your packing. You lot may alter your mind about certain things as you lot become or find items as you lot showtime packing that yous decide you don't want to accept with you after all.

Wrap-Up

So in that location y'all have it! Your ultimate guide to decluttering for a move. If all this talk of packing and moving has you stressed, allow us to handle it for y'all. Megan's Moving offers premium, total-service moving packages that will make your move a whole lot easier. Get a quote today!

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