When planning out a move, it can feel like something being out of place or seemingly going missing is the end of the world, and can throw you completely off of your moving rhythm. Staying organized during a move is already hard enough, but it’s even tougher when your home is clogged up with items that you might not even want to keep or take with you.

Knowing what to keep and what to leave behind during a move can be a bit mind-boggling at times, but sorting through your items and getting rid of things can make your life so much easier when it comes to your actual move. Don’t get us wrong – we know that letting go of things can be difficult, especially if you haven’t moved in a while or have acquired a lot of sentimental items during your time at your current home. 

However, going through all of your things well before it comes time to pack everything up and considering what is going to help or hurt your moving process overall can make your clear-out portion of the relocation process much easier.

How to Declutter Before a Move

Before you figure out what you want to take with you and leave behind during a move, you’re going to want to organize and declutter your items accordingly. Sort them into ‘keep’, ‘donate’, ‘sell’, and ‘throw away’ sections. 

For items, you want to sell, hold a garage sale, list them on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or sell them online if you have time to wait for buyers and to pack up and ship your things. Bring your donations to a local donation drop-off or Goodwill.

What Not to Pack When Moving

When figuring out what to get rid of and what to keep, a good strategy to use is to make a list of how much you use each item you’re facing a dilemma on, how much it’s worth, and how easy it is to replace. If you don’t use an inexpensive item that’s also easy to replace, get rid of it to make room for things you regularly need and use. The following are some things to cut down on:

• Clothing: It’s easy to end up with too many clothes in any situation, but when moving, over-packing clothing can turn into a nightmare. Get rid of anything you don’t regularly use, and keep your favorites. 
• Bulky/Heavy Items: Don’t make your move harder than it has to be by lugging around heavy books, electronic equipment, or other household items that are easy to load up on, but are really annoying to move. 

The golden rule is to let it go if you’ve already read it and probably won’t reread it, or if it just collects dust in your corner. 

• Garage Items: Clear out your garage first to take care of and get rid of all of the items that may have accumulated in it. This space is bound to be full of unwanted and forgotten stuff that you can otherwise sell or get rid of, so take care of it sooner rather than later. 
• Appliances: It’s easy to acquire a lot of appliances here and there that you don’t really use. Don’t weigh yourself down during your move with that milkshake maker you’ve never touched – sell or donate it!
• Old Furniture: Don’t take more than you have to, especially if you have old furniture that’s really heavy and that you’re not much of a fan of anymore. Moving to a new place is a great way to start fresh and get some new furnishings and revamp your furniture style – take advantage of the opportunity!

When decluttering or organizing your items before a big move, it’s important to prioritize and simplify before the actual day of moving. It might be tempting to oversimplify and just get rid of everything, but that’s not a solution either. Make sure to prioritize and stay organized, and you’ll set yourself up for success. Looking for the best movers for you? Look no further than Morse Moving & Storage, the best professional moving company in Michigan and the surrounding area.