Moving into a new home offers the perfect excuse to clear out everything you no longer need. Whether you’re relocating across the country or a few streets away, the less you bring, the easier your move will be.
In this guide, you’ll find practical suggestions for what to toss, donate, or recycle before the big day.
Why decluttering before a move matters
Decluttering helps you save time, money, and mental energy. Each extra item you pack takes up space in boxes, adds weight to your load, and can increase your moving costs.
According to a 2023 survey by Moving.com, 61% of people who decluttered before moving said the process was less stressful, and 58% reported saving more than $500.
Cleaning out your belongings also gives you a fresh start.
With less clutter, you can organize your new space more easily and fill it only with things that serve a real purpose in your life. The process encourages reflection, helping you let go of old items that no longer fit your lifestyle.
1. Worn-out or Outdated Clothing
Start by going through your clothes. Anything that doesn’t fit, is damaged, or hasn’t been worn in over a year probably doesn’t need to make the move. Sort items into “keep, “donate”, and “recycle” piles. Clothes in good condition can go to local shelters or donation bins. Worn-out pieces can be dropped off at textile recycling programs.
Some examples to toss or donate: stretched-out sweaters, jeans that no longer fit, socks without a match, worn shoes, outdated suits, and shirts with stains or holes.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans discard about 81.5 pounds of clothing each year, contributing to more waste annually. Letting go of unused clothing now will save space and reduce your environmental impact.
2. Expired or unused pantry items
Food is often overlooked during packing, but it’s one of the easiest places to downsize. Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Toss anything expired and donate unopened, non-perishable goods to local food banks. Plan meals in the weeks leading up to your move to use up perishables.
Examples include expired cereal, open bags of chips or pasta, forgotten frozen meals, old spices, sauce you never used, and duplicate condiments like three bottles of ketchup.
In the U.S., 30-40% of the food supply goes to waste, equal to about 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food each year, according to the USDA. Moving with less food waste not only lightens your load but also supports a more sustainable move.
3. Furniture that won’t fit
Measure your new rooms before moving large furniture. If something won’t fit or suit the layout, don’t bring it. Large, outdated, or low-quality items are costly to move and may not be worth the effort. Sell or donate them ahead of time.
Items to consider removing: that bulky armchair no one uses, scratched dining tables, an old futon, bookshelves that won’t fit your new layout, or flimsy desks from college days.
According to industry reports, Americans discard more than 12 million tons of furniture each year, with approximately 80% ending up in landfills. Reducing this waste by selling or donating furniture can significantly reduce your environmental impact.
4. Unused Electronics and Cords
We all have that drawer full of random cables, old phones, and mystery chargers. Sort through your electronics and get rid of anything broken, outdated, or unused. Remember to erase personal data from devices before recycling or donating.
Look for these common clutter culprits: broken headphones, unused phone cases, DVD players you no longer use, outdated routers or modems, and cords that don’t match any device.
Globally, only about 22.3% of electronic waste is formally collected and recycled, according to the Global E-waste Monitor. By properly recycling your e-waste, you help prevent environmental pollution and data theft while cutting clutter.
5. Paper clutter and old documents
Paper builds up over time- bills, manuals, junk mail, and receipts. Keep only what you need: tax records, medical files, or legal documents. Shred anything with sensitive information and consider switching to digital copies for future use.
Examples of what to toss: outdated appliance manuals, expired coupons, old school notes, paid utility bills older than a year, and stacks of unread magazines.
A clean, paper-free space makes staying organized much easier after the move.
6. Half-used cleaning supplies
Cleaning products are heavy, often messy, and usually not allowed on moving trucks. Use up what you can in the weeks before your move. Dispose of expired items safely, and give away anything you won’t take with you.
Toss or give away items like almost-empty bottles of bleach, old mop heads, dried-up sponges, and duplicate all-purpose sprays.
Check with your local recycling or hazardous waste program to find proper disposal sites.
7. Forgotten items in storage
Garages, attics, and basements can hide years’ worth of forgotten stuff. Go through boxes of holiday decorations, broken tools, or outdated gear. If you didn’t know it was there, you probably don’t need it.
Common examples: rusty tools, broken sports equipment, mystery boxes from your last move, outdated holiday decor, and half-used paint cans.
Make piles: keep, donate, sell, or trash. Being firm-moving is your chance to clean the slate.
8. A book you won’t read again
Books are heavy. Keep your favorite or those you’ll read again, donate the rest. Libraries, shelters, and community centers are often happy to take gently used books.
Examples to part with: outdated textbooks, old paperbacks you’ve already read, duplicate cookbooks, and coffee table books you haven’t opened in years.
You can also set up a free book box in your neighborhood or give them to friends and family.
9. Toys and kids’ items
Kids outgrow toys quickly. Go through their stuff with them, explaining that others might enjoy what they no longer use. Donate toys in good condition and throw away broken ones.
Some examples: puzzles with missing pieces, broken dolls or action figures, baby gear they’ve outgrown, old stuffed animals, and outdated video games.
Use clear bins to organize what you’re keeping. Label them by type or age group to make unpacking easier.
10. Duplicate household items
Do you need five spatulas or three sets of measuring cups?
Go through your kitchen, bathroom, and utility drawers to get rid of duplicates. Keep the best version and donate the rest.
Things to thin out: extra spatulas, duplicate can openers, multiple hairdryers, old phone chargers, three sets of mixing bowls, and extra throw blankets.
This is especially useful if you’re downsizing. Your future self will thank you when your new cabinets stay neat and clutter-free.
Bonus tip: Make a “Do not Pack” pile
Set aside a box or bag of essentials you’ll need during the move. This could include:
- Important documents
- Medication
- Chargers and a power bank
- Basic tools
- A change of clothes
- Snacks and water
Keep this with you during the move rather than on the truck. It’ll save you the headache of digging through boxes on your first night.
Conclusion
Decluttering before a move is one of the smartest things you can do. You’ll lighten your load, cut moving expenses, and start fresh in a cleaner, more organized space. It takes some work, but the payoff is worth it.
The key is to start early, be honest about what you use, and let go of the rest. When moving day comes, you’ll be glad you did.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Wondering how early to start decluttering before your move?
Ideally, you should begin about four to six weeks in advance. It’s best to start with low-use areas like the attic, basement, or guest room, and gradually work your way toward high-traffic spaces such as the kitchen or living room. Spacing it out over several weeks makes the process less overwhelming.
Not sure whether to sell, donate, or throw things away?
A good rule of thumb is to sell anything of value that’s still in good condition, especially electronics, furniture, or brand-name items. Donate gently used belongings to local charities, shelters, or thrift stores, and responsibly dispose of anything that’s broken, expired, or unusable. Sorting items into these three categories can help speed up your decision-making.
Is all this effort worth it?
Decluttering before a move reduces how much you have to pack, lowers moving costs, and makes settling into your new home easier. It also gives you a chance to start fresh in a cleaner, more organized space—free from things you no longer use or need.
Looking for donation options before moving?
There are plenty of helpful resources. National organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept a wide range of items, and local shelters, community centers, and food banks often welcome donations as well. For items like old electronics or textiles, check your city’s recycling or hazardous waste programs to dispose of them safely.
And what’s the most commonly packed but least-used item?
Many people end up packing boxes from their previous move that haven’t been opened since. If something has sat untouched for years, chances are you won’t miss it in the next place either.
