When you have a move rapidly approaching or company coming into town soon, clearing out…
Moving can be stressful and intimidating. It’s a good idea to declutter before you move so that you have less to pack and more space to organize once you’re in your new home. One of the best ways to prepare for the upcoming move is to have a declutter-your-home checklist that lists everything you need to do before packing the final boxes and heading out the door.
Decluttering your home can make the entire moving process simpler and less stressful. Below is a checklist to get you started.
How to Start Decluttering for a Move
Start Early
You should start making a declutter-home checklist between three and 12 months before moving. This will give you time to clean out your closets and organize items.
Prepare
Think about the decluttering process and make a home declutter checklist for moving in advance. This will ensure you cover all areas and items.
Divide and Conquer
Choose the areas that need attention first. If you have a lot of clutter in one place, focus there until it’s under control.
Keep it Going
Remember decluttering is a process—not a project. Take breaks when needed, especially when tired or frustrated.
Be Discerning
Be realistic about what you need and don’t need. Don’t hang on to sentimental items and donate or sell anything you no longer use or need.
Benefits of Decluttering Before Moving
Saves Space
Decluttering saves you space. When you don’t have to worry about where to put things, it’s easier to clean your home and unpack items when they arrive.
Makes Organizing Easier
A declutter-your-home checklist simplifies the organization process, making it easier to find a place for everything. You won’t have to search for things anymore.
Reduces the Stress of Unpacking
Since there are fewer things to unpack after decluttering, removing and arranging your stuff is simpler at its destination.
It Can Make You Money
Decluttering is good for your wallet. You can sell items you no longer need and make money to buy things that spark joy.
10 Pro Tips to Help You Declutter Before Moving
Below we’ve listed some essential tips to help you declutter before moving:
- Don’t procrastinate and avoid rushing later.
- Schedule dedicated time for decluttering so you can commit to and complete the task.
- Get motivated with the end goal in mind, so you don’t forget why you need to declutter.
- Go through everything, so you don’t miss anything.
- Involve your kids with their things and make it a family event!
- Start with the rooms and stuff you use the least
- Don’t linger on sentimental items, be practical and ruthless with the process.
- Divide and conquer: use the power of placing items in piles
- Use a portable moving and storage bin for easier decluttering
- Consider hiring professional help
Decluttering Checklist for Moving: Room-by-Room Declutter Checklist
How to Declutter Your Kitchen
Get rid of broken, surplus, expired, or never used items, including:
- Expired food and drinks
- Coffee tumblers
- Cookware and utensils
- Never used cookbooks
- Plastic lids and containers and lids
- Small appliances and tools
- Water bottles
How to Declutter Your Bathrooms
A bathroom can accumulate lots of unnecessary items. Before moving, ensure that you remove the following from your bathroom:
- Expired medicine
- Old beauty tools (makeup brushes, dryers, combs, etc.)
- Old cosmetics and beauty supplies
- Unused or expired toiletries
Decluttering Your Family/ Living Room
There are some items in the living room that no longer spark joy or have usefulness, including:
- Old books
- Game consoles, gear, and extra controllers
- Magazines
- Pet toys and bedding
- Children’s toys
- Old media: DVDs, CDs, Cassettes, VHS tapes
- DVD and VHS players
How to Declutter Your Bedrooms
Your bedroom tends to collect items that you may never use. Some things to include in your declutter-you-home checklist include:
- Hangers
- Unworn or overworn clothes and shoes
- Jewelry and accessories never worn
- Torn bed linen
How to Declutter Your Closets
Closets are some of the most common places that gather clutter. A closet declutter checklist for moving should include:
- Clothes beyond repair
- Clothes never worn
- Clothes you don’t like
- Ill-fitting clothes
- Shoes that hurt your feet
How to Declutter Your Home Office
Remove all items, documentation, and stationery that you no longer use. Some things to include in your home office decluttering checklist include:
- Broken equipment
- Broken furniture
- Empty ink cartridges/pens
- Mystery cables/cords
- Old documents
- Old electronics
- Paper
Get in Touch with the Best Moving Company!
We hope this declutter your home checklist was helpful. If you’re moving soon, consider contacting On The Go moving experts today.
We offer free moving estimates for your short-distance or long-distance move. Contact us or call (425) 440-3421 to obtain your free estimate.
