How to Get Rid of Stuff When Moving: A Comprehensive Guide
Published: 28 Apr, 2023
Last Updated: 28 Apr, 2023
Many people can be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of possessions they have acquired through time when it comes to disposing them in preparation for a move. However, decluttering your home before a big move is essential for reducing stress and minimizing moving costs. To begin, we’ll provide a guide on how to get rid of stuff when moving, which includes effectively decluttering, creating a checklist of belongings, and donating or selling items.
Firstly, we’ll discuss the importance of assessing your belongings and creating a comprehensive checklist to keep track of everything. Next, we’ll explore various options for donating or selling unwanted items in order to make room for new memories in your permanent home. Finally, we’ll share some practical tips on disposing of unneeded household items responsibly and efficiently packing what’s truly necessary.
By following these expert suggestions on how to get rid of stuff when moving, you can ensure a smoother transition into your new living space while also making it easier to settle down once you arrive at your destination.
Table of Contents:
- Assess Your Belongings
- Create a Checklist
- Donate or Sell
- Dispose of Unwanted Items
- Pack What You Need
- FAQs in Relation to How to Get Rid of Stuff When Moving
- Conclusion
1. Assess Your Belongings
Moving to a new home can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to deciding what items you should keep and which ones need to go. As a married couple with children and pets, decluttering before your move is essential for making the process smoother and more efficient.
A) Determine What You Need vs. What You Want
The first step in assessing your belongings is distinguishing between the items you truly need and those that are simply wants or desires. Consider whether each item serves a practical purpose or if it’s just taking up space without providing any real value. For example, do you really need three sets of dinnerware? Or could you manage with just one set?
B) Evaluate Items Based on Usage Frequency
Another factor worth considering when assessing your possessions is how often they’re used. If there are items that haven’t been touched in months (or even years), chances are they won’t be missed once they’re gone from your life.
- Clothing: Have you worn it within the past year? If not, consider donating or selling it.
- Kitchen appliances: Are there gadgets collecting dust because they’re rarely used? It could be the perfect opportunity for those gadgets to move on.
- Toys: Do your children still play with all their toys regularly? Donate any unused toys, so other kids can enjoy them.
C) Check Expiration Dates & Condition of Items
When going through household goods like food products, toiletries, medications – check expiration dates. Expired items should be disposed of properly. Additionally, assess the condition of your belongings – if they’re broken or damaged beyond repair, it’s time to let them go.
D) Consider Your New Space
Before making any decisions about what stays and goes, take a moment to think about your new living space. Will there be enough room for all your current possessions? Are there certain items that won’t fit well in the new layout? Use this information as a guide when deciding which belongings should make the move with you.
By taking these factors into consideration while assessing your belongings, you’ll have an easier time determining what needs to stay behind before embarking on your moving journey with SEKA Moving. This can be advantageous, leading to both a decrease in the time taken and an abatement of anxiety.
Evaluating your possessions can be a great way to decide which items should stay and which ones could be given away or removed. To ensure that nothing important gets left behind, create a checklist of all the items you need to move.
2. Create a Checklist
Before you start decluttering your home, it’s essential to create a comprehensive checklist that will help you stay organized and focused throughout the process. Construct a register of all the items you desire to discard, and classify them in order of significance. By doing so, you’ll be able to tackle each room more efficiently and make sure nothing gets overlooked.
A Room-by-Room Approach
To ensure thorough decluttering, we recommend taking a room-by-room approach when creating your checklist. Start by listing all the rooms in your house, including common areas like living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, as well as bedrooms and storage spaces, such as garages or basements.
- Living Room: Old magazines/newspapers, outdated electronics (e.g., DVD players), worn-out furniture or rugs.
- Kitchen: Unused appliances (e.g., bread makers), duplicate utensils/cookware/bakeware/dinnerware/glassware/cutlery sets/containers/lids/spices/expired food products.
- Bathrooms: Expired medications/toiletries/makeup/haircare products/skincare products; damaged towels/rugs/accessories/fixtures; unused cleaning supplies/organizers/storage solutions/decorations/etcetera;
- Bedrooms: Outgrown clothing/shoes/accessories/jewelry/toys/games/books/electronics/furniture/bedding/window treatments/light fixtures/paintings/artwork/photos/wall decorations;
- Pet Supplies: Damaged toys/treats/grooming tools/leashes/collars/carriers/kennels/etcetera;
- Garage/Basement/Storage Spaces: Broken tools/equipment/sports gear/bicycles/lawn care items/paint cans/holiday decorations/craft supplies/etcetera;
Once you have listed all the rooms and their respective items to declutter, prioritize them based on how often they are used or needed. This will help you determine which ones should be tackled first.
Prioritizing Your Checklist
Factor in the size of each room, amount of clutter and any impending events when deciding which items to prioritize on your checklist; additionally, consider emotional attachments or sentimental value attached. Additionally, take into account any emotional attachments or sentimental value attached to specific belongings when deciding what needs to go.
- High Priority: Rooms with a large number of cluttered items or spaces frequently used by family members/guests; Items with no sentimental value or little practical use;
- Moderate Priority: Rooms with moderate amounts of clutter; Items occasionally used but not essential for daily life;
- Low Priority: Rooms rarely accessed (e.g., attic); Items with strong sentimental attachment but minimal functionality.
In conclusion, by creating a checklist and prioritizing your decluttering process, you can make your move easier and more cost-effective. Remember, the less you have to move, the less you’ll spend on your move. Happy decluttering!
3. Donate or Sell
Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter your home and make a fresh start in your new space. Donating or selling items you no longer need not only helps lighten your load but can also benefit others in need or provide some extra cash for moving expenses.
A. Determine What Can Be Donated
Many organizations accept gently used clothing, furniture, toys, and household items that are still in good condition. To determine what can be donated:
- Check each item’s condition – if it’s broken, stained, or worn out beyond repair, it may be better suited for disposal.
- Consider whether someone else could use the item – if it has been sitting unused for years, chances are someone else will appreciate having it more than you do.
- Contact local charities like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or other non-profit thrift stores to see what they accept and their donation guidelines.
B. Organize a Garage Sale
If you have numerous items that are still valuable but don’t fit into your new home or lifestyle anymore, consider organizing a garage sale before moving:
- Select a date at least two weeks ahead of time to give yourself ample preparation time and advertise the event on social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor app.
- Gather all sale items together so potential buyers can easily browse through them during the event without rummaging through boxes marked “for sale.”
- Price each item reasonably based on its condition and desirability, remembering that the goal is to declutter rather than make a significant profit.
- Set up tables, clothing racks, or other displays to showcase your items in an organized manner on the day of the sale.
C. Sell Items Online
If you prefer not to host a garage sale or have valuable items that may fetch higher prices online, consider selling them through websites like:
- eBay – for unique collectibles and antiques,
- Facebook Marketplace – for local sales with no shipping required,
- Poshmark – for gently used clothing and accessories,
- OfferUp – for furniture and larger household items.
Taking time to donate or sell unwanted belongings before moving can save you time during packing while also providing benefits, such as supporting charities, earning extra cash, or even making new connections within your community. Utilizing these suggestions, you’ll be able to commence anew in your new dwelling without the burden of superfluous mess.
Donating or selling items is a great way to reduce the amount of clutter when moving, and can also be beneficial for those in need. Throwing away unwanted objects should not be disregarded while relocating.
4. Dispose of Unwanted Items
Relocating is an ideal moment to discard those undesirable items that have been occupying space in your residence. Properly disposing of these items not only helps reduce moving costs, but it also makes room for new belongings in your new home. Follow these tips to dispose of unnecessary items responsibly and efficiently.
Recycle Responsibly
Before tossing any item into the trash, consider if it can be recycled instead. Many common items, such as paper products, plastic containers, and glass bottles, can be easily recycled at local recycling centers or through curbside pickup programs. Be sure to check with your local recycling guidelines for specific rules on what materials are accepted.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Certain household items should never be thrown away with regular trash due to their potential environmental impact or safety risks. Examples include paint cans, batteries, electronics (e-waste), and chemicals like pesticides or cleaning solutions. Contact your local waste management facility for information on how to properly dispose of hazardous waste in your area.
- Batteries: Find a nearby battery recycling drop-off location using resources like Call2Recycle’s locator tool.
- E-Waste: Look up an e-waste collection event near you or find a certified electronics recycler using the Sustainable Electronics Recycling International directory.
- Paint Cans: Search for paint disposal options near you by visiting the PaintCare recycling locator.
- Chemicals: Reach out to your local waste management facility for information on hazardous waste disposal events and drop-off locations.
Bulky Item Pickup
If you have large, unwanted items that are too big for regular trash pickup, such as furniture or appliances, check with your local waste management company about scheduling a bulky item pickup. Many local governments provide this service for free or at a minimal cost. You can also consider hiring a junk removal service like 1-800-GOT-JUNK? if you need assistance with disposing of multiple large items at once.
By properly disposing of extra items when you’re moving, you’ll not only make the process smoother but also contribute to a cleaner environment and potentially help others in need through donations. Remember to start decluttering early, so that when it’s time to load up the moving truck, all that remains are the essentials needed for your new home. If you’re downsizing, these moving tips will help you start packing and begin the big move with ease.
Disposing of unnecessary items is an important step in the moving process. With a clear plan and focus, you can easily pack what you need for your move.
5. Pack What You Need
By packing only the necessities, you can save yourself time and effort when moving while also creating a more orderly living environment for your family. Follow these steps to ensure that you’re packing efficiently:
Create an Inventory List
Before starting to pack, make a detailed inventory list of all items in each room of your house. Generate an inventory of all items in each area to identify what can be left or disposed of.
Pack Essentials First
Start by packing essential items like clothing, toiletries, important documents and other necessary belongings for daily life. Make sure to label boxes with their contents so they can be easily located when unpacking at your new home.
Consider Your New Space
Take into account the size and layout of your new home when deciding what furniture and appliances to bring along. If certain pieces won’t fit or serve no purpose in the new space, consider selling them or donating them before moving day arrives.
Pack Items Used Less Frequently Last
- Holiday decorations – These items are used once a year; there’s no need for them to take up valuable box space if they aren’t needed immediately after moving.
- Sports equipment – Unless it’s currently being used frequently by family members (e.g., during soccer season), pack sports gear last.
- Books and DVDs – While these items can provide entertainment, they’re not essential for daily life. Pack them last or consider donating some to reduce clutter in your new home.
Get Rid of Unnecessary Items
If you come across any items that don’t fit into the categories above, it’s time to decide whether they should be donated, sold, or disposed of. Remember that less is more when moving; by reducing clutter now, you’ll create a more organized and enjoyable living space for your family in the future.
By following these steps and packing only what you need during your move with SEKA Moving, you’ll save time and effort while creating a fresh start in your new home. If you’re downsizing, this is the perfect opportunity to start decluttering and make room for your permanent home. Don’t forget to consider the moving costs and start packing early to avoid any last-minute stress on moving day. Happy moving.
FAQs in Relation to How to Get Rid of Stuff When Moving
How to Get Rid of Stuff When Moving?
When you’re moving, it’s important to declutter and get rid of unwanted items to save on moving costs and make room for your new home. Here are some moving tips to help you get started:
Assess Your Belongings
Start by going through your household items and creating a checklist of what you want to keep, donate, sell, or dispose of. This will help you stay organized and focused during the decluttering process.
Donate or Sell Unwanted Items
If you have items that are still in good condition, consider donating them to a local charity or selling them online. This can help you reduce waste and earn some extra cash to put towards your moving expenses.
Dispose of Unneeded Possessions Responsibly
For items that can’t be donated or sold, dispose of them responsibly. Check with your local waste management company to see if they offer bulk item pickup or drop-off locations for large items like furniture or appliances.
Pack Only What You Need
When you start packing, be mindful of what you’re bringing with you to your new home. Only pack items that you need or truly love. This will help you save on moving costs and make the unpacking process easier.
The 20 20 Rule for Decluttering
The 20 20 rule for decluttering is a helpful guideline to follow when deciding what to keep or get rid of. If an item can be replaced within 20 minutes and costs less than $20, it’s safe to let go. This helps reduce clutter and encourages individuals to keep only essential items in their homes.
How to Declutter Your House and Get Rid of Stuff?
To declutter your house, follow these steps:
- Assess your belongings and create categories such as “keep,” “donate,” or “sell”.
- Tackle one room at a time and set deadlines for each task.
- Consider using storage solutions like shelves or bins to keep your space organized.
- Apply the 20 20 rule to help you decide what to keep or get rid of.
- Maintain a clean space regularly to prevent clutter from building up again.
How to Organize Your Stuff When Moving?
To organize your stuff when moving, follow these steps:
- Create an inventory list with categories such as kitchenware, clothing, or electronics.
- Purge unnecessary items through donation or selling.
- Gather packing supplies such as boxes, tape, and bubble wrap.
- Pack similar items together in labeled boxes to make unpacking easier.
- Create a floor plan for furniture placement in your new home to save time and energy on moving day.
Conclusion
When moving, it’s important to assess your belongings and create a checklist to determine what you need to keep, donate or sell, and dispose of. Creating a list of what to keep, give away or sell, and discard can save you time and money when relocating while also tidying up your house.
Donating or selling extra items is a great way to give back to the community while earning some extra cash. And for items that cannot be donated or sold, disposing of them properly is crucial for both safety and environmental reasons.
If you’re looking for professional help with your move, contact SEKA Moving. Our experienced moving crews can pack and transport your belongings safely and efficiently locally and across the United States.
