Moving to a new home can be expensive, especially if you end up paying your movers to pack up a bunch of junk that you really don’t need to take with you. Moving is a great opportunity to get rid of a ton of clutter and unwanted items around your home. Before your cross-country move, make a fresh start by purging first, then packing.
It can be surprising to find out just how much “stuff” has been collected in your home over a few years. Check those closets that are full of clothes. What about your garage? Is it packed full of old toys or sports equipment that has seen better days? Before your cross-country move, it’s a good idea to get organized and start purging some of these items that you don’t need to take to your new home.
Moving to a new state can be as exciting as it is stressful. To help you stay organized during the packing process, it’s important to start your purging process early. This is a great opportunity to donate and sell or throw out items that you no longer need. There are plenty of charities that will welcome the items that you don’t use and you can even make a bit of moving money by selling the items that you no longer need. Let’s take a look at a few ways to start purging your home before you move.
Closets
We all have items stuffed in the back of your closet that we haven’t worn in years. There is no need to weigh down your moving boxes with those old items. Follow these closet guidelines to help you lighten your clothing load. Donate or pitch these items if:
- You haven’t worn it in over a year
- Item is damaged or needs repair
- Item is out of fashion and not expected to come back
- Items that are too big or too small
Kitchen Items
Purging before your cross-country move is a great time to tackle your kitchen junk drawers. Extra china, glasses and mugs, and mismatched containers and lids should all be sorted before you start packing. This includes smaller kitchen appliances that you don’t use on a regular basis like older coffee makers, bread makers, or mixers.
Electronics
Your pre-move purge is the perfect time to get rid of that old broken-down television and VCR you have lurking in your spare bedroom or den. Get rid of electronics that are broken or out of date. Check with your local recycling center to responsibly drop off your TVs and other electronics.
Furniture
A great way to know what furniture to keep is to sit down and make a floorplan of your new home. Anything that you won’t have room for should be sold or donated. Just remember, if it’s damaged or is out of style, maybe you shouldn’t take it to your new home.
Books & Magazines
Book lovers may have a tough time letting go of any of their volumes. But, books and magazines can add a lot of weight to your moving load. Sort through your books and magazines and try to keep only your favorites that you just can’t bring yourself to part with. Family shelters and retirement homes are both great places to make a donation of your old books and magazines.
Parting with your belongings can be both emotionally exhausting and liberating. You may have to go through the process a few times in order to get rid of everything, and that’s okay. Once done you are ready to start your new life in your new home with a fresh start and a lighter load.
