How to Get Rid of Clutter Before Moving
Clutter is a big problem in every household. But, it’s especially true for those who are moving into a new home. If you’re moving into a new house, you may be tempted to pack up everything you own and bring it with you. However, this can cause clutter problems. For example, you may not realize that you left behind items that you need. Or you may forget to pack certain items that you need.
Moving boxes are great for storing things temporarily, but they aren’t efficient for long-term storage. Instead, consider packing up your belongings in small bags. Then, you can put these bags away in a closet or under a bed. Then, when you move into your new home, you can unpack the bags and organize them.
You can also use plastic containers to store things. These containers are easy to stack and can be used to store smaller items. They are also inexpensive.
If you have lots of furniture, you might want to hire movers. This way, you won’t have to worry about how to get rid of clutter before moving. Instead, you will only have to worry about what you should take with you when you leave.
There are many ways to get rid of clutter before moving. Here are some tips on how to do so:
1) Organize Your Home
Before you start getting rid of clutter, you should first organize your home. This means putting all of your belongings in one place. Once you’ve done this, you can begin organizing your possessions.
Start by sorting through your clothes. Make sure that you separate out any items that don’t fit anymore. Also, make sure that you keep track of which clothing goes where. You can then donate the rest of your clothing.
Next, sort through your books. Look at each book carefully. Are there any that you no longer read? Do you still enjoy reading them? Can you sell them online? If you decide to keep them, try to find homes for them.
Finally, look through your kitchen cabinets. Take note of anything that doesn’t belong there anymore. Then, donate the remaining food items.
2) Sort Through Your Belongings
Once you’ve organized your home, you should now start looking through your belongings. Start with the most essential items first. Put aside any items that you definitely plan to keep. Then, go through the rest of your belongings.
Look through your jewelry box. Is there anything inside that you never wear? Does it spark joy? If you think that the answer is yes, you may want to keep it. Otherwise, you may want to give it away.
Also, look through your desk drawers. There should be plenty of paper products here. Try to determine if you still need them. If you know that you definitely don’t need them, you can throw them away. Otherwise, you can donate them.
3) Give Away Unwanted Items
Now that you’ve looked through your belongings, you should start giving away unwanted items:
- Look through your closets. Throw away any clothing that you haven’t worn in over six months.
- Look through your dresser drawers. Remove any items that you don’t need.
- Look through your garage.
Anything that isn’t needed should be thrown away.
4) Sell Online
After you’ve given away most of your belongings, you should start selling off the remainder. The easiest way to do this is by using an online auction site like eBay. Simply list your items for sale. Then, wait for people to bid on them. After the bidding period ends, choose the highest bidder as your winner.
5) Use Free Services
If you don’t feel comfortable selling items online, you can always use free services instead. Some of the best ones include Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. With these sites, you simply post an ad describing your item(s). People can then contact you directly to purchase your items.
6) Ask Friends & Family
One of the best ways to get rid of clutter is asking friends and family members to help you. Many people would love to get rid of their old stuff. So, ask them to help you. Tell them exactly what needs to be done. Let them know what types of items you’d like to receive in return.
7) Consider Selling Online
Another option is to sell your items online. As mentioned above, you can use eBay to sell your items. Another popular website is Amazon. Both websites allow you to set your own prices. In addition, both websites offer free shipping.
8) Reuse Old Things
When you’re ready to get rid of clutter, you should reuse old things. For example, you could repurpose old blankets into rugs. You could also turn old wooden crates into shelves. You can even recycle old appliances.
9) Rent Storage Space
If you don’t have enough space to store all your belongings, you can rent storage space. Most storage facilities charge a monthly fee. However, you can usually save money by renting a unit for less than $100 per month.
10) Create A Wish List
The final step in getting rid of clutter is creating a wish list. Write down everything that you want to buy once you move into your new home. Make sure that you write down brand names too. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally buy something twice.
11) Keep Track Of What You Need To Buy
To avoid forgetting important purchases, you should create a shopping list. Include items such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, groceries, etc. At the end of each week, check off what you bought. This will remind you of what you need to buy next time around.
12) Set Up An Account On eBay
eBay is another good resource for finding items to sell. You can search for specific categories. For instance, you can search for “clothing” or “books.” You can also browse through other users’ listings.
13) Clean Out Your Car
Your car is probably full of junk. But you shouldn’t just let it sit there until you drive it somewhere else. Instead, clean out your car. Go through your glove compartment. Check underneath your seats. And, look under the hood.
14) Clear Off Your Desk
Are you tired of seeing piles of papers everywhere? Well, you should clear off your desk. Start by removing any excess paperwork from your desk. Then, empty your wastebasket. Finally, remove any new pens or pencils.
15) Declutter Your Bedroom
Do you struggle to sleep because of clutter? Well, you should declutter your bedroom. Start by taking everything off of your nightstand. Then, remove any extra pillows. Finally, remove any unnecessary decorations.
16) Find Ways To Recycle
Did you know that you can recycle almost everything? That includes cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, newspapers, magazines, wrapping paper, etc. You can also recycle electronics. Just make sure that you properly dispose of them.
17) Be Creative
Sometimes, you may need to get creative to get rid of clutter. For example, you may want to use a trash bag to hold your shoes. Or, you may want to hang your keys on a hook.
18) Have Fun
Getting rid of clutter is Fun! You can play games while doing so. For example, you could build a tower out of your old toys. Or, you could create a scavenger hunt.
19) Move Into Your New House
As soon as possible, you should move into your new home. This will give you more room to get rid of clutter. Plus, you won’t have to worry about bringing your belongings along with you.
20) Remember Where Everything Goes
Make sure that you remember where everything goes after you move. For example, if you have multiple suitcases, make sure that you label them correctly. Also, mark the location of each item on your wall map. This will help you whenever you need to retrieve something later on.
21) Hire Help
You may want to hire someone to help you get rid of clutter. Doing so will reduce the amount of work that you have to do. Plus, you won’t have to stress yourself out trying to figure out what to do next.
22) Reduce Stress
Stress can lead to clutter. Therefore, you should try to reduce your stress levels. One way to do this is by going outside. Exercise helps you release tension.
23) Focus On Positive Thinking
Positive thinking can help you eliminate clutter. By focusing on positive thoughts, you can stop worrying about negative situations. This will help you stay calm during stressful times.
24) Decide Whether You Want To Stay
If you’re moving into a new home, you may be tempted to pack up everything you own and bring it with you. You can also use free services to help you get rid of clutter. The easiest way to get rid of is by selling your unwanted items online. Do you know that you can recycle almost everything? If you don’t, you can use the free service. Don’t forget to rent storage space for your items. Finally, keep track of what you need to buy once you move into your new home.
