Mon, Jan 06, 2020
By: Patrina Sykes
There are few things people dread more than the process of moving. Even when the move is an exciting one, moving is a lot of work and can cause significant stress. That stress may be elevated if your current home is cluttered with belongings.
At Gilmore Services, we’re expert movers. One of the questions we hear often from our moving clients is this:
What can I do to declutter my home before a move?
Taking steps to declutter before you move is always a good idea, particularly if you’re someone who tends to accumulate belongings over time. Here are 7 things you can lose to help you declutter before you contact moving services near you.
#1: Books You Won’t Read Again
We’re starting with books because we know people love their books – and we do, too! But, if you’ve got a collection of books that you won’t read again, or a stack of books that you realize you’ll never read, then getting rid of them can be a good way to jump-start the decluttering process.
Decluttering tips: Donate your books to a local library or sell them to a used bookstore.
#2: Kitchen Equipment You Don’t Use
We all have a few go-to pieces of kitchen equipment that we use daily, but most of us also have something – whether it’s a waffle iron or an ice cream mater – that we never use. It’s easy to fall into the trap of “I might use it someday,” but if you haven’t used an item in more than a year, you probably won’t miss it.
Decluttering tip: List appliances and kitchen equipment in good condition on eBay.
#3: Old Cell Phones
Some people hold on to old cell phones because they’re not sure what to do with them. However, a non-working cell phone is only taking up space in your home and you don’t need to bring it with you when you move.
Decluttering tip: Donate your old cell phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers, which uses the proceeds from donated phones to send international calling cards to soldiers stationed overseas.
#4: Crafting and Art Supplies
Do you have a collection of crafting supplies you don’t use? If you have no plans to use them, you have two choices: allow those paints to dry up or give them to someone who might use them.
Decluttering tip: Donate usable art supplies to a local school or senior center.
#5: Clothes That Don’t Fit
Clothing is a tough category for many people. It’s often tempting to hold on to things that don’t fit with the idea that they might fit again one day. And, of course, we also get emotionally attached to our clothes. We suggest trying on everything in your wardrobe and keeping only those things that fit you well and make you feel good. Do the same thing with your shoes.
Decluttering tip: Sell clothes in good condition on Poshmark to earn extra money for your move.
#6: Expired Items
Most people have at least a few items in their homes that are expired. Here, we’re talking about makeup, condiments, sunscreen, over-the-counter medication, and prescriptions. There’s no point in holding onto things that have lost their effectiveness, so get rid of them!
Decluttering tip: Clean out containers and recycle them. Check this site for tips on how to dispose of prescription medications safely.
#7: Damaged Items
Finally, we suggest going through frequently used items in your home and getting rid of anything that’s been damaged by repeated use. Examples include:
- Socks and underwear with holes in them
- Worn out towels and wash cloths
- Pens that don’t write
- Non-stick pans with worn-off coating
- Threadbare sheets
- Stained clothing
These are items that may need to be thrown out.
Decluttering tip: repurpose worn out towels and sheets as cleaning rags to use during your move.
Conclusion
Moving can be stressful, but if you declutter your home first, you’ll have an easier time packing and moving to your new place.
Need help with your move? Click here to read about Gilmore Services professional moving services near you.