Decluttering Before a Move Will Save You Money, Time, and Stress

For many people, Spring is the season of new beginnings. The air is warmer, the days are getting longer, and there is a sense of rejuvenation. There is no better time than in Spring to declutter your home to get rid of old or underutilized items, especially if you have a move planned anytime soon. Take advantage of this new beginning by starting with a cleaner slate.

Why Decluttering Is Important Before A Move

Asides from getting rid of unneeded items, there are a whole host of benefits of a decluttering, and here are a few of the most significant ones:

Save Money on Moving Costs: On average, a local move can cost anywhere from $800 - $2200, so the more items you move, the more you can expect your moving costs to be. So, it makes sense to trim those costs by eliminating items that you don't want to or need to bring to your new home. Don't pay to move it if you don't want to see that old sofa in your new living room.

Eliminate the Junk: When you spring clean, you'll have an opportunity to get rid of unwanted materials. You can sell them in a yard sale or give them away like that old sofa. Outgrown clothing, old toys, stacks of magazines, broken bicycles, and old sporting gear will clutter your new house, so it's best to get rid of these unneeded items during your Spring clean.

Helps Make Packing A Breeze: As you clean and organize your home's rooms, you'll be able to begin packing up items that you want to keep but don't need just now. Items like photo albums, seasonal clothes, books, and so forth are good candidates for early packing. By storing these materials early, you can start the packing process in an organized manner, taking care to label your boxes and totes for the move ahead.

The Five Choices You Have When Decluttering Your Home

The first step in your spring cleaning process is the decision-making phase, which will help you decide what you want to bring. You really only have six choices to make:

1. Keep The Item: Do you still use this item? Is it in good condition? If you answered yes to either of those questions, the item should be kept and brought to your new home. Dedicate a room or area in your house to place things you will be keeping, or better yet, start packing them away now to reduce your workload later on.
2. Recycle It: Have you outgrown this item? Is it no longer age-appropriate for your children? Recycling this item for family or friends can give the item a new purpose without taking up valuable closet or storage space in your new home.
3. Fix-It: Items like this can range from clothing that needs a quick fix (such as a button replacement or hem) to a bicycle tire that needs filling. Pro tip: fix the item before you pack it up, as you are likely to throw it away once you get to your new home if it's not in working condition.
4. Throw It Away: If you find an item broken beyond repair or that no longer serves a purpose to you or others, it's time to let it go and set it by the curb on trash day. Be sure to check your region's garbage collection calendar to find out the best day to get rid of the item.
5. Donate it to those in need: Donating gently used items to charity is a wonderful way to declutter your home while helping those in need. Plus, there are some great tax writeoffs associated with donating your items. Check out this link and see what qualifies for a tax deduction. We are movers, not accountants, so always trust reliable sources before making assumptions on what will qualify for a credit!
6. Sell It: Because of FaceBook Marketplace, Kijiji, eBay, and social media, it has never been easier to sell unwanted items. Doing this not only helps to clear the clutter, but it will put a few bucks into your pocket that can go toward moving costs or furnishing your new home!

We understand that this process will be time-consuming, but taming your clutter now will save you money and time in the long run.

You've Made Your Decisions, Now What?

Once you have decided what to keep vs. get rid of, begin this leg of your spring cleaning journey with a trip to your local home improvement center. You'll want to invest in some trash bags, plastic containers, moving boxes, and labels. Label all boxes and containers with the major items in them to identify which room the box belongs to quickly; this will be game-changer when unpacking the boxes and setting up your new home.

Once you have these items, declutter your home room by room to reduce becoming overwhelmed. Assign boxes/bins for items you intend to keep (but are ready to pack up), items you intend to recycle, and items you intend to donate. Your trash bags are for things you want to throw away. Keeping all these materials organized will allow you to declutter in an organized manner.

We Are The Experts You Can Trust

Decluttering is a great way to kick off your moving process. Remember that Fireman Movers is a full-service moving company who offers a wide range of moving services, including furniture delivery, packing services, multiple delivery stops, and more. If you are ready to schedule a move, request a free quote or contact us to discuss our moving solutions.