Declutter now for a smooth move later

So, you’re thinking about moving, huh? When you need a break from scrolling through the listings on Zillow take a few minutes to make a decluttering plan.

Why? Because moving presents the perfect opportunity to pare down your belongings and start life in your new home with only the things you need and love. Doing a good pre-move declutter will also save you money on moving costs such as supplies, storage, and transportation.

15 things to declutter before you move

1. Bathroom products. Toss anything you no longer use, donate unopened items you will never use, and dispose of expired medications properly. Find a drop box near you.

   
   

2. Kitchen supplies. Remove anything that no longer works or is chipped or stained. Eliminate unwanted dishware, gadgets, storage containers, and small appliances by donating or selling them.

3. Pet equipment and furniture. Trash items that have seen better days. Clean items that can be donated to local shelters. List of accepted items at DCHS.

4. Paper documents. Recycle or shred outdated paperwork and digitize important documents to reduce boxes of paper files. List of local shred events.

5. Outdoor furniture and equipment. Dispose of worn-out grills, sun-faded patio furniture, lawn decorations, old bags of landscaping materials, and more. Review your stash of specialty lawn tools and keep only what you will need in your future home. Pass along items to friends and family, place things at the curb, or schedule a pickup of large items for disposal.

6. Furniture. Evaluate the condition of each piece, and whether it will fit in your new space. Dispose of the worn-out pieces and sell or donate items you don’t want to take with you.

   
   

7. Plants. Determine if you can safely transport them and if they will survive the trip. Give the ones you can’t take with you to friends or coworkers, or post them on Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist.

8. Linens. Take a good look at the towels and bedding you’ve accumulated. Keep a reasonable amount of each. Mismatched or worn towels can be repurposed as cleaning cloths or packing material. Consider donating others to a local animal shelter.

9. Electronics and cords. Donate or recycle e-waste responsibly. Keep only what you actually use. List of accepted items.

10. Clothing and shoes. Review your closets and drawers for items that are no longer in style, do not fit, or are damaged or stained. Keep what you love and donate or sell the rest locally or online.

11. Home décor. Think about the artwork, rugs, lamps, and more that you want to display in your new home. Choose quality items and sentimental pieces that will enhance the space. Donate what remains or sell the items to a local home décor resale shop.

    
    

12. Hobby supplies. Take time to review your stash of art/craft materials, games, puzzles, and sports equipment. These can take up substantial space so only keep items for activities you actively pursue. Sell unwanted items or donate them to a local senior or community center.

13. Books and magazines. Donate those you don’t love or plan to re-read to a local library. For magazines, take a photo of the article you are interested in and then recycle.

14. Gifts. Many people pick up items throughout the year to give to others on future birthdays or holidays. Pass those gifts along to family and friends now so you don’t have to pack and unpack the items.

15. Household hazardous waste. Check the basement, garage, closets, and cabinets for unwanted paint, stains, cleaners, adhesives, electronics, small appliances, pesticides, fire extinguishers, and more. Place items in a plastic bin or cardboard box and transport them to your local collection facility. A small fee is required for disposal. List of accepted items.

Decluttering before (or while) packing is economical, and doing the work now will save you time while unpacking. Be thoughtful about what you move. Why take clutter with you?