How to Effectively Declutter Before Moving

Are you planning a big move and dreading the thought of packing up all your belongings? Fear not! In this blog post, we’ll share our valuable insights and tested tips on how to effectively declutter before moving, making the process more manageable and enjoyable. Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

• Start decluttering at least a month before the move.
• Create a plan and set realistic goals to make the process easier and more organized.
• Involve family members in the decluttering process for an enjoyable experience!

Decluttering Essentials

Moving is a great opportunity to declutter your life and start fresh in your new home. However, the decluttering process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure of how much stuff you’ve accumulated over the years.

A good starting point for the decluttering process is to start early, a few months before your moving day, as it can help prevent feelings of being overwhelmed. This early start allows ample time for making thoughtful decisions about items to retain, donate, or discard. Here’s how to get started:

1. Start organizing your house room by room.
2. Create different piles for the things you want to keep, donate, recycle, and throw away.
3. Gather heavy-duty trash bags, moving boxes, a shredder, packing tape, and packing paper to make the packing process more efficient.

As you declutter, remember to contemplate the frequency of use for each item, its place in your new home, and your personal attachment to it. This way, you can declutter your entire house effectively and ensure a smoother moving process.

Assess Your Belongings

Start by taking inventory of all items in your home. This will help you identify which items to keep, donate, or dispose of. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Get rid of expired food, old magazines, and items with sentimental value that you no longer need.
2. Donate clothes and shoes that no longer fit or haven’t been worn in over a year.
3. Recycle old kitchen appliances and consider donating working ones to thrift stores.

Eliminating all the stuff will result in a more organized space in your new house, but you might wonder how much space you’ll actually need.

For a thorough assessment, don’t leave any item unturned. Check the expiration date on products in your bathroom and pantry to ensure you’re packing the freshest items. Retain heirloom cookbooks or recipe cards with sentimental value. Evaluating your items provides a clear picture of what needs to be taken to your new home, thereby simplifying the packing process.

Create a Plan

Creating a decluttering plan involves prioritizing rooms and setting deadlines for each area. Start by gathering essential supplies such as bin bags, cardboard boxes, labels, elastic bands, and cleaning products. This will help you get started with decluttering your entire house and make your move smoother.

Planning ahead can lead to a successful decluttering process while also preventing a sense of being overwhelmed. Establishing clear goals and assigning specific tasks to each room results in a complete plan, aiding in staying organized and motivated during the decluttering process.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals for decluttering is crucial to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure a successful outcome. Tackle decluttering in chunks of three to six hours during crunch time before a move. An early start provides sufficient time to make considered decisions about your belongings, thereby alleviating last-minute panic.

To stay consistent, schedule one to three hours of dedicated decluttering time on a specific day of the week, making it a regular routine. This will help you manage sentimental items and other belongings more effectively.

Room-by-Room Decluttering Tips

Now that you have a decluttering plan in place, it’s time to tackle each room of your house. Focusing on one room at a time allows for substantial progress without causing feelings of overwhelmment. In this section, we’ll share some room-specific decluttering tips to help you create a more organized new space.

Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, making it an essential room to declutter before your big move. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Start by evaluating the necessity of each item in your kitchen.
2. Get rid of expired food, duplicate kitchen utensils, and unused appliances.
3. Donate items in good condition to a thrift store or a local charity.

When decluttering your kitchen, keep in mind that less is more. Concentrating on items that you genuinely need and use will result in a more functional and organized kitchen in your new home.

Bedrooms

Decluttering bedrooms can be a daunting task, especially with the number of personal items and clothing typically stored in them. Begin by sorting through clothing, accessories, and personal items, keeping only what’s essential and loved. Donate items in good condition to a local charity or thrift store.

Remember to tackle storage areas, such as closets and under-bed storage, to ensure you do not bring unnecessary items to your new home. Decluttering your bedroom results in a more pleasant and organized relaxation space post-move.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms can quickly become cluttered with various personal care products, making it essential to declutter them before moving. Start by checking the expiration dates on all products in your medicine cabinet and dispose of any expired or unused items. Keep only the essentials and items you use regularly.

Organize the remaining items in a way that makes it easy to find what you need quickly. Decluttering your bathroom leads to a clean and tidy space in your new home that encourages relaxation and self-care.

Organizing and Packing Strategies

Once you’ve decluttered each room, it’s time to focus on organizing and packing your belongings for the moving house process. Proper organization and packing techniques can make the moving process much smoother and more efficient.

In this section, we’ll share some strategies to help you pack like a pro.

Categorize Items

To streamline the packing process, categorize your items into keep, donate, and discard piles. This will help you identify which items are essential and which ones can be donated, sold, or recycled. Make sure to separate items with sentimental value from everyday items to ensure they’re packed properly and safely.

Categorizing your belongings clarifies what needs to be taken to your new home and what can be left behind. This will make the packing process much easier and more efficient.

Use Quality Packing Materials

Using quality packing materials is crucial for protecting your belongings during the move. Here are some tips:

1. Use sturdy boxes for easy stacking and transportation.
2. Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap to prevent damage.
3. Choose lightweight packing materials to keep shipping costs low.

For more tips on packing, check out our guides on packing clothes, glasses and pictures.

Investing in quality packing materials can also save you money on potential damages and make unpacking a breeze, especially for items with sentimental value. Take the time to pack your belongings carefully and securely to ensure they arrive at your new home in excellent condition.

Label Boxes Clearly

Labelling boxes clearly with their contents and designated room is essential to make unpacking in your new home easier. Here are some tips to help you label your boxes effectively:

1. Use a permanent marker and write legibly.
2. Label both the top and sides of each box.
3. Consider using color-coded labels to quickly identify boxes for each room.

For more tips and ways to do it, check out our guide on labelling moving boxes.

Clear labelling of boxes saves time and effort during unpacking, enabling a quicker, less stressful settling into your new home.

Donating, Selling, and Recycling Unwanted Items

After decluttering and packing, you’ll likely have a collection of unwanted items that you don’t want to bring to your new home. Instead of simply disposing of these items, consider donating, selling, or recycling them.

In this section, we’ll share some tips for responsibly disposing of unwanted items.

Donation Centers

Research local donation centers to find the best fit for your unwanted items, such as clothing, furniture, and appliances. Many thrift stores and charities accept a wide range of items and can even arrange for pick-up of larger pieces. Donating your unwanted items not only declutters your home but also helps those in need.

Donating items to local centres breathes new life into your unwanted items and contributes positively to your community.

Online Marketplaces

Utilize online marketplaces like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace to sell valuable items and earn extra cash for moving expenses. These platforms allow you to connect with potential buyers and set your own prices for your unwanted items.

Selling items online not only helps declutter your home but also provides additional funds for moving expenses.

Recycling Programs

For items that cannot be donated or sold, such as electronics and hazardous materials, participate in recycling programs. Reach out to your local government or search online to learn about recycling centers and programs in your area.

Recycling helps to reduce waste, conserve resources, create jobs, and even reduce pollution – making it a responsible and eco-friendly way to dispose of unwanted items.

Involving Family Members in the Decluttering Process

Decluttering can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be a solo endeavour. Involving your family members in the decluttering process not only lightens the workload but also helps foster a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility.

Assign Responsibilities

Assign specific decluttering tasks to each family member, ensuring everyone is involved and accountable. By dividing tasks evenly among family members, everyone can contribute to the decluttering process and the work is shared fairly.

Make sure all family members have the required resources and support to fulfill their assigned tasks.

Communicate Expectations

Communicate your expectations for decluttering, including deadlines and goals, to keep everyone on track and motivated. Clear communication is essential to ensure that everyone understands their role in the decluttering process and the importance of their contribution.

Establishing clear goals and deadlines for each task aids in maintaining everyone’s inspiration and focus on the decluttering process.

Celebrate Progress

Finally, celebrate progress by acknowledging milestones and rewarding family members for their hard work and dedication to the decluttering process. Plan celebrations and rewards for when you and your family members reach certain milestones to keep everyone motivated and make the process more enjoyable.

Summary

In conclusion, decluttering before moving can be a manageable and enjoyable process when approached with a well-organized plan and the involvement of family members. By following the tips and strategies shared in this blog post, you’ll be able to streamline your move, create a more organized new space, and begin a fresh chapter in your new home with less clutter and stress.

F.A.Q

Looking For a Professional Moving Company in Canada?

As one of Montreal’s top movers, we know a thing or three about moving, and we can handle any type of move in a speedy manner. No staircase is too steep, no box is too heavy, and no weather is too harsh!

Our team, techniques, and well-equipped moving trucks are all in the best possible shape to handle both residential and commercial moves of any size. We can also take care of packing and unpacking after the move.

Submit the form or call us at +1 (514) 418-4466 directly for a free quote. Good luck with your upcoming move, and stay tuned for more moving tips soon.