Moving is a hectic process, filled with packing, organizing, and saying goodbye to your old place. It’s also an opportunity to declutter your life. Before you start packing your belongings into boxes, it’s a good idea to go through everything you’ve accumulated over the years and decide what you really need to take with you.
Here are 19 things you might want to consider tossing before your next move, to make the process smoother and your new home less cluttered.
1. Old Clothes
We’ve all got them – those clothes that sit in the back of your closet, unworn for years. You might be keeping them for sentimental reasons, or because you think you might fit into them again. However, moving is a great excuse to finally let them go. Not only will it make packing easier, but it’ll also free up space in your new closet.
Donating or selling old clothes can be a rewarding process, as you’re giving them a new life instead of letting them gather dust. Plus, you may even make a little extra cash to fund your move or decorate your new place.
2. Expired Products
From the bathroom to the kitchen, most homes are filled with expired products. Whether it’s an old can of beans or a tube of mascara you’ve had for years, it’s not worth packing and transporting these expired items to your new home.
Take a few hours to go through your pantry and bathroom cabinets, and toss anything past its prime. This will not only save space, but also ensure that you’re only using safe, effective products in your new home.
3. Outdated Electronics
In today’s fast-paced technological world, it’s easy to accumulate a collection of outdated electronics. From old cell phones and laptops to DVD players and digital cameras, these items can take up a lot of space and rarely get used.
Rather than packing them up and moving them to your new home, consider recycling them. Many electronic stores offer recycling programs, and there are plenty of charities that would be happy to take your old devices.
4. Unused Kitchen Gadgets
Every kitchen has them – those gadgets that seemed like a great idea at the time, but now just take up space. Whether it’s a juicer, a waffle iron, or a fondue set, if you haven’t used it in the last year, you probably don’t need to take it with you.
Donating or selling these items can help clear out your kitchen and make packing easier. Plus, it’ll free up cupboard space in your new place for the gadgets you actually use.
5. Old Magazines and Newspapers
It’s easy to accumulate a pile of magazines and newspapers, but do you really need to take them with you when you move? Unless they have sentimental value or contain important information, it’s probably best to recycle them.
Before you toss them, though, be sure to remove any personal information, like your address or credit card numbers. And if you find that you’re constantly accumulating paper clutter, consider switching to digital subscriptions in your new home.
6. Broken Furniture
If you’ve been putting off repairing that broken chair or cracked mirror, now’s the time to make a decision. Is it worth taking with you and fixing in your new home, or would it be easier to just let it go?
If you choose the latter, be sure to dispose of it responsibly. Many cities offer bulk trash pickup, or you could donate it to a charity that accepts broken furniture. Just be sure to let them know about the damage so they can decide if it’s worth fixing.
7. Unused Exercise Equipment
Exercise equipment is bulky and heavy, making it a pain to move. If you have equipment that’s gathering dust, consider selling or donating it before you move.
You’ll save space and make your move easier, and you can always invest in new equipment that you’ll actually use in your new home. Plus, selling old equipment can give you some extra cash to help with moving costs.
8. Old Bedding and Towels
Bedding and towels can take up a surprising amount of space when packing. If yours are old, worn out, or just not your style anymore, it might be time to let them go.
You can donate good-quality items to a local shelter or animal rescue, or recycle them if they’re past their prime. Then, you can start fresh in your new home with bedding and towels that you love.
9. Outgrown Children’s Items
If you have kids, you know how quickly they grow out of clothes, toys, and furniture. If your children have outgrown items that are still in good condition, consider selling or donating them.
Not only will this clear out space for your move, but it can also help other families in need. Plus, it’s a great way to teach your kids about the importance of giving and decluttering.
10. Old Paint Cans
Most people have a few old cans of paint lying around. Whether they’re leftover from a previous project or you’re not sure why you have them, it’s best to get rid of them before you move.
Most cities have special disposal programs for paint, as it can be hazardous waste. Be sure to check your local regulations before tossing these in the trash.
11. Unused Decorations
We all have those decorations that we never use, whether it’s a wreath for a holiday we don’t celebrate or a centerpiece that doesn’t match our decor. Moving is a great time to get rid of these items and free up storage space in your new home.
Consider donating or selling these items, or giving them to a friend who will appreciate them. Then, you can decorate your new home with items that you love and use regularly.
12. Unfinished Projects
Whether it’s a half-knit scarf or a model car that’s missing a wheel, we all have those projects that we started with good intentions but never finished. Rather than moving these unfinished projects to your new home, consider whether you’re actually going to complete them.
If the answer is no, it might be time to let them go. You can donate the materials to a local school or craft group, or just toss them if they’re no longer usable.
13. Old Spices
Spices don’t last forever, and old, stale spices can ruin a meal. Before you move, go through your spice rack and toss any that are past their prime.
Not only will this make packing your kitchen easier, but it’ll also ensure that you’re cooking with fresh, flavorful spices in your new home. Plus, it’s an excuse to organize your spices, which can make cooking more enjoyable.
14. Broken or Mismatched Dishes
We all have those dishes that we never use, whether it’s because they’re chipped, cracked, or just not our style. Rather than packing them up and moving them to your new home, consider letting them go.
You can donate good-quality items, or recycle them if they’re broken. Then, you can start fresh in your new home with dishes that you love.
15. Old Receipts and Bills
Unless you need them for tax purposes, there’s no reason to keep old receipts and bills. They take up space and can be a hassle to move.
Before you toss them, though, be sure to shred any with personal information to protect your identity. And if you find that you’re constantly dealing with paper clutter, consider switching to digital bills and receipts in your new home.
16. Outdated or Unused Medications
If you have medications that are expired or no longer needed, it’s important to dispose of them properly. This isn’t just a matter of decluttering – it’s also about safety.
Many pharmacies offer medication take-back programs, where you can drop off unwanted medications for safe disposal. Never flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash, as this can be harmful to the environment and public health.
17. Old School or Work Materials
If you’re no longer in school or have changed jobs, you may have old textbooks, notebooks, or work materials lying around. Unless they have sentimental value or contain useful information, it’s probably best to let them go.
You can sell textbooks online or donate them to a local library or school. As for notebooks and work materials, recycle them if they’re no longer needed.
18. Outdated Calendars and Planners
If you have old calendars and planners from past years, there’s no reason to keep them. They’re not useful and just take up space.
Before you toss them, though, check to see if there’s any important information you need to transfer to your current calendar or planner. Then, recycle them and enjoy the extra space in your new home.
19. Old Greeting Cards
Unless they have sentimental value, there’s no need to keep old greeting cards. They take up space and can be a hassle to move.
If you want to keep a record of them, consider taking photos or scanning them before recycling. Then, you can keep the memories without the clutter.
Remember, moving is not just about transporting your belongings from one place to another – it’s also about starting fresh. By getting rid of these 19 items before you move, you can reduce clutter, save space, and make your new home a more enjoyable place to live.
