Whether you’re moving to a new place in Winston-Salem or heading off on a new adventure elsewhere, the idea of packing up your home can feel daunting. Even if you consider yourself a minimalist, you likely have more stuff than you think. Getting rid of things you no longer need or want before loading the moving truck can help you save time and money on moving expenses.
Knowing how to declutter before a move and what to avoid when trying to clean out can make the process easier and less overwhelming. From what to keep and what to toss to the advantages of hiring bulk pickup in Winston-Salem and tips for sorting and organizing, our decluttering guide will make the process easier.
Pro Tips For Lightening the Load When Moving
The most important thing to remember when decluttering for a move is that you can’t do it all at once. The process takes time, and it’s better to make a schedule and tackle a little at a time.
The sooner you start clearing out, the better. As soon as you know that you’re going to move, schedule dedicated decluttering time. Whether you choose to dedicate a little time every day or work in larger blocks of time over the weekend, blocking off time for the job without any other commitments — and sticking to it — helps you get the job done.
What Am I Going To Do With All This Stuff?
One of the most common questions people ask when figuring out how to declutter before a move is, “How do I get rid of the things I don’t want?”
You have several options:
- Toss broken, unusable, or unnecessary items, like old paperwork, outdated cosmetics, etc.
- Donate or give them away
- Sell them at a garage sale, online marketplace, or consignment shop
Whatever you decide, try to remove as many things from your home as possible while you work. For example, drop items at a local charity donation center while you run errands or have friends go through the donation pile to take what they want. You’ll make more space and feel like you’re getting closer to your goal.
Deciding What To Keep and What To Toss
It seems like every expert has ideas on how to declutter before a move. Whether you follow the Japanese method of getting rid of anything that doesn’t spark joy, go room by room, or use any other approach, there’s no “best” way to get the job done.
That said, following these tips can help you decide what to keep and what to get rid of and make sorting easier.
In general, you should throw away or recycle:
- Anything that you don’t want but isn’t in sellable condition
- Expired items
- Anything broken beyond repair
- Old paperwork; keep hard copies of crucial documents and digitize anything else you may need
- Outdated manuals, reference guides, planners, etc.
- Stained or raggedy-looking linens, kitchen towels, etc.
Going through your home and dealing with anything that needs to go in the trash first can help you feel like you’re making progress and allow you to focus on identifying donations and things to keep.
Once you get rid of the obvious trash, the next step in strategizing how to declutter before a move is to go through every closet, drawer, cabinet, chest, and storage container. Going in with a few rules can make the process easier and eliminate some of the struggle of “should I keep this?” As you sort, ask yourself:
- Have I used this in the last year?
- Do I have more than one of these?
- Would I buy this again?
- Can I use this in my new home?
- Does this fit?
- Does this need repair?
- Is this going to be difficult to move, and is it worth the extra effort and expense?
Sometimes, the answer is obvious, and you can easily get rid of an item; for example, if you forgot you had something, chances are you can live without it. If you really aren’t sure, put the item aside for now and come back to it.
That said, don’t be afraid to be ruthless when organizing and cleaning out before your home or apartment moveout. While you should certainly keep sentimental items, don’t keep anything simply because you feel like you have to. If you no longer need or want something, get rid of it.
Pack As You Go
Pack as much as possible while you work as you make your “keep” pile. Packing what you don’t need right now helps you stay organized and keep track of what needs sorting. It’s easy to pack while you declutter if you start in spaces you don’t use as often, like the guest bedroom or attic.
Get Help From the Professionals
If figuring out how to declutter before a move and how to clean out your closet has you feeling overwhelmed, Veterans Easy Trash Service can help. Our affordable bulky trash and junk removal services eliminate the need for Winston-Salem, NC, residents to deal with unwanted belongings themselves. Call us today to schedule a pickup and check one more task off your moving checklist.