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Getting ready to move? There’s no better time to declutter and ditch all that stuff you don’t need. Why haul extra baggage to your new place when you can start fresh?
Clearing out the clutter doesn’t have to be a drag, either. With a few simple tips, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to lighten the load and get organised before the big day!
Ready to make the process a breeze? Let’s dive into how to declutter like a pro before you move.
Why Decluttering Before a Move Matters
This goes beyond lightening your load. Decluttering before a move helps in simplifying the overall process and cutting expenses.
It can help you save money, particularly if you deal with removal companies that charge an hourly rate or amount of items. Having fewer items equals fewer boxes, shorter packing time, and fewer removal company expenses.
Apart from the economic advantages, decluttering lets you start over in your new house. Bringing just the things you treasure or need is rather amazing.
There are no more odd kitchen tools or clothing that haven’t seen sunlight in years. You will feel lighter, more ordered, and ready to welcome the shift ahead.
Let us now dissect the actions to ensure your path of decluttering is successful.
Start Early and Pace Yourself
Starting the decluttering process at the last minute is one of the most common blunders people can make. Avoid furiously stuffing items into boxes the night before the relocation company shows up.
Start early, ideally some months before your relocation. This gives you plenty of time to go carefully and stress-free through every room and start sorting your belongings.
Divide the work into easy-to-manage parts. Focus on one room at a time rather than trying to clean your entire house. This is a sure-fire approach to feeling overwhelmed.
You can set out a day, for instance, exclusively for the kitchen or the wardrobe. Doing things in stages will help you feel productive as each area is finished and will give you a sense of relaxation, knowing you won’t be rushing on a moving day.
The “Keep, Donate, Toss” Method
The “keep, donate, toss” method is a classic way to declutter. Sort your belongings from every room into one of three groups as you go.
Whether sentimental or practical, these are the items you often use or those of great worth. Bring these items to your new house.
Many of the things you no longer need can still be valuable to another person. Clothes and furniture that are in good condition and household goods can be given to local businesses or charitable stores. Ask your moving company if sending off donations on your behalf is a service they offer.
Other times, it’s just time to say goodbye. Things that are broken, damaged, or no longer useful should be piled here. Consider how you can dispose of items properly and find out whether they can be recycled or if you need to schedule a suitable disposal service.
Ask yourself these questions to help you decide whether to keep or dump something: When was the last time I used this? Does it elevate my life in any way? Will it suit my newly acquired house? You probably can live without anything you haven’t used in more than a year.
Tackle Sentimental Items with Care
The toughest part of the process is sorting sentimental objects. You might easily develop emotional ties to objects that bring back memories or references to individuals.
Still, clinging to every single keepsake can cause clutter and unnecessarily complicate your move.
Start with less emotionally charged parts of the house, like the bathroom or kitchen. Usually easier to sort through, doing this can boost your momentum.
When you at last come upon those nostalgic objects, such as pictures, old letters, or mementoes from childhood, you can slow down.
Furthermore, restrict yourself from keeping everything. For instance, choose a small number of the most significant concert ticket counterfoils or birthday cards rather than clinging to every single one.
Digitalising is another option. There is no need to save hard-copy versions of things in this era. Without sacrificing any physical space in your new house, scan old pictures and documents to build a digital library you can look at any time you wish.
Repurposing items can also save you the guilt of hoarding some special objects. Think about making nostalgic objects functional or ornamental. For your new sofa, for example, create a throw cover from an antique family quilt.
Decluttering Room by Room
Decluttering every room in your house presents many different difficulties. These ideas for addressing the most clutter-prone locations can help you stay on track.
- Food
Removal companies recommend decluttering your kitchen first. The kitchen is infamous for gathering appliances, mismatched containers, and past-due food items. Throw away any food that is past its expiration. Let that bread maker go if you haven’t used them in years. Donate your extra mixing bowls.
- Wardrobe
Clothes are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to clutter. To start decluttering, empty your wardrobe and arrange it on the bed.
Examine every item and ask yourself if you have worn this last year. Does it still fit? Be merciless if it doesn’t fit or if you haven’t worn it in years. Don’t let it clutter up your new home. Donate it or dump it if it is worn out, doesn’t fit, or is no longer in our taste.
- Common Area
Usually, the living room has both useful and ornamental objects together. Sort books, DVDs, and other possibly accumulated items over time.
Simplify your décor to fit your space and keep just the books you actually enjoy or intend to reread.
How Removal Firms Can Help with Decluttering
Removal firms can be a great help for decluttering. Some companies provide extra services such as packing, sorting through your stuff, and even taking undesired goods to donate on your behalf to recycling facilities or charitable stores.
Contacting a removal firm is about lessening stress and ensuring the whole process runs as seamlessly as possible, not only about transporting your stuff.
Professional movers are used to dealing with clients downsizing or decluttering before a relocation. They can provide sensible guidance on what to keep and what to throw out.
Selling Items for Extra Cash
Selling things you no longer need will help you generate some extra money as well as decluttering. Furniture, electronics, and designer clothes in good condition can often sell for a reasonable price on internet markets like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree.
This not only lowers the number of things you have to relocate but also somewhat adds to your income to cover moving expenses. Starting early will allow you enough time to take inventory of your belongings and find buyers before your moving day.
Conclusion
Decluttering before a move can seem like a hassle, but it’s worth it!
You’ll save money, make the move smoother, and step into your new home clutter-free. Start early, tackle each room, and use the “keep, donate, toss” method to stay on top of things.
For extra help, a great removal company can do more than move your boxes. So, let the pros handle the hard part while you enjoy your fresh, clutter-free start!