Packing for your move is as crucial a task as you’ll ever find any god moving checklist. And it’s important that you start packing as early as you can. Before you even start filling up those boxes, you need to declutter your home. You can be tempted to just throw everything in the boxes but here is a declutter checklist for moving that you should consider.
Declutter Checklist For Moving
Understand Why You Must Declutter
When you understand the reasons for doing something, the knowledge adds incentive and purpose for you to complete the task at hand faster and better. In case you’re moving, understanding the need to declutter before moving will help you to save money, time and space in your new home.
Here are some of the top reasons you should declutter your home before moving:
- Lower transport costs
- You can make some money from the yard sale
- You’ll save plenty of packing time
- Reduce the level of moving stress
- Save storage space in the new home
Know Which Items to Get Rid of Before Moving
Moving a few items is a great way to save on moving costs. Now your next step is knowing what to declutter before the move. Here are some items you should definitely get rid of:
- Worn out or broken items
- Duplicate household items
- Expired items
- Books
- Forgotten items
- Clothes and shoes you’ll never use again
Follow The 12-Month Decluttering Rule
Even if you’re determined to save some cash by moving to your new home with fewer items, the chances are you’re likely to face a dilemma of whether or not to move specific items. The secret to making those tough choices during the decluttering process is to be brutally honest with yourself. A good way to declutter your home without feeling overwhelmed is to use the 12-month decluttering rule. The rule simply states that if you haven’t used an item for 12 months, then you really don’t need it so you should either donate, sell or toss it away.
Start Decluttering Early
Moving offers many important life lessons and universal truths. One such truth is that sorting through all your possessions will take time, usually more than you planned for the job. Moreover, decluttering is followed by a more time-consuming process – packing. As such, you need to start the decluttering process early.
Start with the things with which you don’t feel any special connection and move on to more personal items. To avoid getting discouraged in the process, leave any sentimental items for last.
Use The 3-Box Decluttering Technique
This technique allows you to complete the decluttering process fast and easy. Don’t forget that decluttering and organizing go hand in hand, so try to handle them simultaneously. The trick here is to have three boxes when decluttering every room:
- Box 1: things you’ll keep
- Box 2: things you’ll throw away
- Box 3: things you’ll donate or sell
Bottom Line
Keep your focus and be consistent throughout the decluttering process. With this declutter checklist for moving, you should have a seamless and stress-free moving process.