Decluttering Before Moving

Written by Move and Care Team

Edited and Fact Checked by Taras Kim

Updated: December 10, 2024

Getting ready to move? Then be prepared for a lot more boxes than you planned and you'll regret the amount of stuff you have in the process! Each item will take time to pack, take up space on the truck, and add to the cost of the move.

But imagine if that burden could be cut in half. Set yourself a challenge: find the best way to get rid of stuff before moving. Cleaning will not only save you money, but it will also allow you to enter your new home freer. Organizing and decluttering before moving in order will make your move smoother, faster, and cheaper. We've prepared this complete guide with practical tips to help you getting rid of stuff before moving.

Key Takeaways

Why Decluttering Before Moving Matters

Sorting out your belongings by moving will greatly reduce your moving time and costs. The average American family contains 300,000 belongings each (according to both the LA Times and Boston Globe). Moving all of it without exception is very expensive. For example, on average, moving a two to three bedroom home costs about $1,250 if it is a local move, while a long distance move will come out to almost $5,000 (Moving.com).

Clutter even affects mental health and it's not a myth. A study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people who described their homes as cluttered had elevated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). Cleaning led to an improvement in their condition. Less stuff means less stress and anxiety.

Start Strong

Begin Early

The earlier you start, the better. It will take a long time to do a full cleaning that will also be profitable. We suggest starting ideally 6 months in advance if you have a lot of stuff. This way you can tackle every corner of your home without feeling rushed. However, you can certainly do it in a month (or even a week!).

Here’s a general timeline based on the size of your home:

• Studio/1-Bedroom Apartment: Start 3–4 months before moving.
• 2–3 Bedroom Home: Begin 4–5 months ahead.
• 4+ Bedroom Home: Begin 5–6 months ahead.

However, you can certainly do it in a month (or even a week!).

Visualize Your New Space

When putting things in order, it's important to keep your new home in mind. If you already know where you're moving to, what the layout is like, and what furniture or belongings you already have, it will help you figure out what things to get rid of and what things not to get rid of. Look at the layout of your new home or make a simple sketch. Make note of storage areas, room sizes, or unique spaces (loggias, closets, shelving, etc.).

Use this information to make decisions about putting things in order. For example, if your new bedroom only has a small closet, obviously you need to downsize your closet. Similarly, if your kitchen doesn't have enough counter space, consider sacrificing appliances you don't need.

Practical Tips for Decluttering

Create Categories and Use the 20/20 Rule

Categorize your stuff - you'll find this advice in almost any cleaning guide. It's simple and effective. Divide your things into four categories:

• Keep: Items you use regularly or hold significant value.
• Donate: Gently used items that can be helpful to others.
• Sell: Items that still have value and can generate some cash.
• Recycle: Items that can’t be donated or sold but are still useful for the environment.

A great way to speed up your decision-making process is by using the 20/20 Rule. If an item will cost less than $20 to replace and takes less than 20 minutes to replace, let it go.

Examples:

• You find a broken blender you haven’t used in months. It would only cost $18 to replace and takes less than 20 minutes to order online.
  • Decision: Let it go.
• You come across an extra set of kitchen tongs. Replacing them would be simple and inexpensive.
  • Decision: Let them go.

Using the 20/20 Rule helps remove the hesitation of letting go of items you think might be useful "someday" but realistically aren’t worth the space they take up.

Dust Check

Is it worth keeping an item? The dust test! If something hasn't been used in a while, dust tends to accumulate on it. Of course, this should not be the criterion by which you should decide whether to keep it or throw it away. Rather, see it as a reason to think about it.

Room-by-Room Strategy

If you tackle everything at once, it can be overwhelming. It's better to try to tackle each room individually. Start with the rooms where you have the least emotional attachment to things: garage, storage closets, basements.

Afterward, we suggest moving on to the more “high-emotional” places: the kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

Before-and-After Photo Prompts: To stay motivated and track your progress, take before and after photos of the rooms or areas you've tidied. The changes you see will make you very happy and inspire you to do more. It will also make a great social media post!

Emotional and Psychological Support

Dealing with Sentimental Items

What do you do with the emotional belongings that are dear to you? Of course, if it is something extremely important and expensive, it is better to take them with you, however, if there is a need or circumstances, you can part with these things, but also keep them in your memory:

• Focus on functionality: If the item has functionality, then give it to dear people or to charity. For example, an old vase can find a use in almost any home.
• Take photos: You can print them out and keep them in a separate album as a reminder of the old house. Or you can do the same thing, but digitally.
• Start small: Begin by letting go of one small sentimental item at a time. This reduces the emotional load and helps you practice the art of letting go.

Involve Friends and Family

Decluttering will be so much easier with friends and family! You don't have to invite them to the whole process if you're worried about privacy. For example, invite them to take apart your garage or living room.

Not only will the extra hands make the job easier, but it will also reduce stress and the decluttering will go smoother.

Decluttering Tools and Resources

Apps and Services

Temporary Storage

Temporary storage is resorted to by so many young Americans, as storage allows you to stay mobile and not have to worry about a lot of things. Many moving companies offer moving and storage services. Use storage strategically:

• Pros: Keeps clutter out of the way during the transition.
• Cons: It's tempting to just stash things away without decluttering.
• Tip: Only use storage for items that truly need temporary space. Avoid long-term storage to prevent accumulating more clutter.

Maximizing Value from Decluttering

Selling and Donating Tips

• Garage Sales: Price items reasonably and group similar items together for easy browsing.
• Online Sales: Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay for quick sales, and highlight quality photos and detailed descriptions.
• Donation Drives: Plan a drop-off day with local charities. Popular options include Goodwill and The Salvation Army.
• Tax Deductions: Keep receipts for donations. Donations to IRS-approved charities can be tax-deductible. Track the fair market value of donated items.

Green Decluttering

• Recycling: Properly dispose of electronics and paper products through local recycling centers.
• Upcycling: Transform old furniture or clothes into something new. DIY tutorials online can provide inspiration for repurposing.

Advanced Tips for Decluttering

Minimalism Insights

• Adopt Minimalism: To maintain a clutter-free home long-term, practice minimalism. Start by focusing on quality over quantity, and regularly assess if items truly serve a purpose in your life. Less is often more.
• Declutter Regularly: Make decluttering a habit, not a one-time event. A minimalist lifestyle encourages intentional ownership, which prevents accumulation over time.

Accountability Systems

• Set Weekly Goals: Break your decluttering tasks into manageable weekly goals (e.g., "Declutter one closet this week").
• Digital Declutter Log: Use apps like Trello or Google Keep to track your progress. Write down tasks and check them off as you go. This keeps you motivated and on track.
• Buddy System: Involve a friend or family member for extra accountability. Have them check in with your progress and offer support when needed.

Bonus Section: Moving Day Hacks

• Keep the Momentum Going: On moving day, keep your decluttering habit strong. Pack a "donation box" for last-minute items you no longer need. This way, you can eliminate any remaining clutter before the move.
• Set Up a Sorting Station: Create a designated space to sort through last-minute belongings, so you can quickly decide what to keep, donate, or toss.
• Use Digital Checklists: Streamline your tasks with a digital checklist app (like Google Keep or Trello) to stay organized and avoid last-minute stress.

Related Guides:

• Packing Tips
• Moving Checklist