How to Declutter Before a Move: What to Keep, Toss, or Donate
Moving into a new home is a fresh chapter—a chance to reorganize your life, lighten your load, and leave clutter behind. But before you start packing boxes, there’s one essential step that can make your move smoother, faster, and even more affordable: decluttering.
At Crowd Packers and Movers, we always advise our clients to declutter before a move. Why? Because the less you move, the more you save in time, energy, and moving costs. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through a smart, strategic decluttering process—helping you decide what to keep, toss, or donate.
Why Decluttering Matters Before a Move
Let’s face it—most of us accumulate more than we need. And moving all that excess from one home to another not only takes more effort, but also:
- Increases moving expenses
- Requires more packing materials
- Creates more unpacking work at the new place
- Can cause unnecessary stress
By decluttering before a move, you’ll:
- Start fresh in your new home
- Only bring what you truly need or love
- Possibly earn extra money by selling items
- Help others through donations
That’s a win-win for you and your future self!
When to Start Decluttering
Ideally, you should begin decluttering at least 4-6 weeks before your move. This gives you enough time to go through everything methodically without feeling overwhelmed.
Create a weekly checklist to tackle one room or category at a time, starting with non-essentials (like seasonal items or storage spaces) and finishing with everyday items.
Crowd Packers and Movers Tip: We offer custom moving plans that align with your decluttering schedule, so you’re never rushed or stressed during the process.
The Golden Rule: The Keep, Toss, or Donate System
When going through your belongings, divide everything into three categories:
- Keep: Items you use regularly or truly value.
- Toss: Items that are broken, expired, or no longer usable.
- Donate/Sell: Items in good condition that others can use but you no longer need.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Have I used this in the last year?
- Does it still serve a purpose in my life?
- Would I buy this again today?
- Is it worth the effort to move?
If the answer is “no,” it’s time to let it go.
Room-by-Room Decluttering Guide
1. Kitchen
Keep: Daily dishes, pots and pans, essential utensils, small appliances you use frequently
Toss: Expired food, broken appliances, duplicate utensils
Donate: Extra mugs, unused cookbooks, gadgets you haven’t touched in years
Pro Tip from Crowd Packers and Movers: Use up your pantry items before moving—less to pack, less to waste!
2. Bedroom
Keep: Clothes you wear often, your favorite bedding, personal essentials
Toss: Torn clothes, mismatched socks, broken jewelry
Donate/Sell: Gently used clothes, extra linens, shoes, unused handbags
Consider the “one-year rule”: If you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s probably time to let it go.
3. Living Room
Keep: Functional furniture, electronics, decor that fits your new space
Toss: Broken furniture, worn-out cushions, outdated electronics
Donate/Sell: Gently used books, working electronics, old décor
Moving to a smaller home? Measure your new space to avoid moving furniture that won’t fit.
4. Bathroom
Keep: Daily toiletries, medications, cleaning supplies
Toss: Expired products, half-used bottles, old razors and makeup
Donate: Unopened hygiene products, extra towels in good condition
Pack your essentials in a “first night” bag so you’re not digging through boxes for toothpaste.
5. Garage/Basement/Storage
Keep: Tools you use regularly, seasonal decorations, sports gear you need
Toss: Rusted tools, broken equipment, old paint cans
Donate: Bikes, camping gear, toys, duplicates of anything
Be honest—if something has been in storage for years untouched, you probably won’t miss it.
What NOT to Move
Some items just aren’t worth taking with you:
- Expired food or medicine
- Old documents that can be scanned or shredded
- Outdated electronics
- Unused cables, wires, and remote controls
- Furniture with no place in your new layout
Crowd Packers and Movers offers a pre-move consultation to help you identify what’s practical to move and what’s better left behind.
Where to Donate Items
Your unwanted items could be someone else’s treasure. Here are some ideas for donation:
- Clothing: Local shelters, Goodwill, or NGOs
- Furniture: Community centers, charities, or churches
- Books: Libraries, schools, or book donation programs
- Toys: Orphanages or children’s hospitals
Make sure donated items are clean and in good condition. Always call ahead to confirm what each organization accepts.
Sustainable Disposal Tips
If something can’t be donated, aim for eco-friendly disposal:
- Recycle electronics and batteries at e-waste centers
- Shred and recycle paper documents
- Compost biodegradable waste
- Drop off paint, chemicals, or hazardous waste at proper facilities
At Crowd Packers and Movers, we encourage green moving practices and can assist in connecting you to local recycling or donation services.
Bonus: Make Extra Cash While Decluttering
Decluttering can be profitable, too! Sell your unwanted items through:
- Online platforms: OLX, Facebook Marketplace, Quikr
- Garage sales
- Local consignment shops
Use the extra cash for moving expenses or treating yourself once you’re settled in your new home.
Packing After Decluttering: Less is More
Once you’ve decluttered, packing becomes faster and easier:
- Fewer items mean fewer boxes
- Your move becomes more affordable
- You’ll unpack only what you need and love
And if you need professional help, Crowd Packers and Movers offers full packing and unpacking services with eco-friendly materials and custom organization options.
Final Thoughts
Decluttering before a move is more than just lightening your load—it’s about making intentional choices and setting yourself up for a fresh, organized start in your new space.
By following the Keep, Toss, or Donate method and planning ahead, you’ll reduce stress, save money, and avoid clutter creeping into your new home.
Let Crowd Packers and Movers be your guide throughout this journey. Our experienced team can help with:
- Decluttering checklists
- Packing services
- Donation drop-offs
- Sustainable moving options
Ready to Declutter and Move with Ease?
Contact Crowd Packers and Movers today for a free consultation and let’s make your move lighter, cleaner, and stress-free—from start to finish!
