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How to Declutter Before Moving

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Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter. Since you’re already sorting through your belongings to pack them up, it’s a great time to get rid of what you no longer use and start fresh in your new space.

Learning how to declutter before moving makes for easier packing and unpacking. Best of all, the less you have to move, the less time and money you spend loading and hauling your belongings.

Preparing to Declutter

One of the best decluttering tips for moving is to start as soon as possible. The earlier you begin, the more time you’ll have to assess each item thoughtfully and with minimal stress. Before you sort, stock up on boxes, tape, labels, and markers. Don’t forget heavy-duty trash bags; you’ll be surprised at how much you can throw away!

 

“The best time to pack your home is immediately after you finish decluttering. Packing quickly reduces the chance that items will migrate to other rooms…”

 

Then, set realistic goals for the process. Depending on how much time you have, you might try tackling one room per week. Every day, you can go through a small part of that room. Consider setting basic rules, such as donating or disposing of anything you haven’t used in the past year (except for sentimental items).

Room-by-Room Decluttering Strategies

It can be hard to know where to start, or whether you should just start tossing stuff as you see it. But it doesn’t have to be that complicated. As you move through the house, use this moving and decluttering checklist to clear out each room:

Kitchen

A view of a kitchen with several mugs and, cups, and bowls

  • Dispose of expired foods
  • Discard broken items
  • Donate rarely used appliances, dishes, and decor
  • Donate duplicate utensils, dishes, and cookware
  • Sort and organize junk drawers
  • Consolidate dry goods

Bedroom

  • Sort clothing and accessories
  • Donate clothing that doesn’t fit or is rarely worn
  • Dispose of stained or torn linens, clothing, and shoes
  • Throw out socks without partners
  • Organize and sort dressers and side tables
  • Donate unused bedding

Bathroom

  • Safely dispose of expired medications
  • Throw out unused or expired skincare, toiletries, and cosmetics
  • Wash and organize makeup applicators
  • Use up duplicate and nearly empty products
  • Throw out torn or stained towels
  • Determine whether to pack, donate, or discard the shower curtain and bath mat

Living Room

a woman organizes books in her living room

  • Donate or sell furniture and rugs that won’t fit in your new home
  • Dispose of broken and stained items
  • Donate duplicate books and DVDs
  • Evaluate electronics for usage and function, and donate unused devices
  • Donate decor you don’t like or won’t use
  • Determine whether to bring window treatments
  • Clean and organize drawers and cabinets
  • Donate rarely used games, puzzles, and toys
  • Dispose of stained or torn pillows and throws

Garage/Basement

  • Sort through tools, outdoor gear, toys, decorations, and equipment
  • Donate or sell items you won’t use in your new home
  • Recycle broken power tools and electronics
  • Drop off old oil-based paint at your city’s waste-management facility
  • Bring old motor oil to a recycling facility or auto parts store

Deciding What to Keep, Donate, or Discard

The hardest part of learning how to declutter before moving — figuring out what to keep and what to throw or give away. Here are a few strategies you can use to streamline the process:

Four-Box Method

an image of several boxes of clothes. the labels on the boxes read "donate" "discard" and "keep"

Every time you tackle a new room, bring four boxes labeled Keep, Donate, Sell, and Trash. Place every item in the room into one of the boxes. You might need to use piles or labels for larger items.

This system keeps your belongings organized and makes it easier to take action. To avoid backtracking, throw out the Trash box and bring the Donate box to the thrift store immediately after you finish decluttering. Then, you can list items for sale or set them aside for a garage sale.

The 20-20 Rule

Not sure whether to keep something? Consider the 20-20 Rule: if you can replace it in under 20 minutes for less than $20, it’s probably not worth keeping. This rule works especially well for practical but rarely used items. Still holding onto a toaster you haven’t touched since you got an air fryer? If you need one in the future, you can always buy a replacement.

 

“The 5-second rule requires you to decide what to do with an item in five seconds. Try counting backwards, and speak your decision out loud when you get to the end of the countdown.”

 

Getting rid of items means you won’t have to deal with the extra clutter or deal with packing something else. And by using this method, you can rest assured that it’s easy to find an affordable replacement if needed.

12-12-12 Rule

It can feel overwhelming to declutter your home before a move, but the 12-12-12 Rule can help you get some momentum. The process is simple: pick out 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to pack. When you’re done, start over again.

Packing a family home? The 12-12-12 Rule is a great way to get your kids involved. It also gives them some autonomy over their belongings — just make sure to double-check their selections.

The KonMari Method

a woman contemplates whether to keep a piece of clothing or not

Dealing with sentimental clutter can be surprisingly emotional — it’s hard to let go of items that are tied to memories. The KonMari Method can help you decide what to keep and what to donate. To use this method, hold each item individually and pay attention to how you feel. If the item sparks joy, keep it. If not, donate or discard it.

The results might surprise you. You might realize that a once-cherished childhood toy makes you feel sad or that your grandmother’s old measuring cups bring up happy memories of cooking together. Getting rid of things that don’t add joy to your life can help you let go of the past and move forward.

Selling and Donating Unwanted Items Responsibly

After decluttering, you may end up with large piles of items to sell or donate. While it might be tempting to toss everything in the trash, there are more sustainable ways to let things go. Plus, if you’re lucky, some of these methods can earn you a little extra cash to go towards the move or a nice meal out in your new neighborhood.

Yard Sale

several items sit on a table and the lawn of a yard sale

If you’ve gathered a mix of everyday items, a yard sale is a simple, eco-friendly way to clear them out. Set everything up in your garage, driveway, or lawn, and let shoppers come to you. Just be sure to advertise in advance and post clear signs, especially if you live on a low-traffic street.

Yard sales make it easy to sell many items at once, and you don’t have to go anywhere beyond your own front lawn. However, they do take some effort to get going, since you have to manage all the organizing, pricing, and tagging.

Don’t forget: you need cash on hand for change!

Online Marketplaces

Selling your extra belongings online is an effective way to reach a wide audience of buyers. To increase the chances that an item will sell, take high-quality pictures and write a detailed listing. Include model numbers, years, and technical specs (when possible) to help your listing show up in search results.

Consider using these online marketplaces:

  • Craigslist
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Ebay
  • OfferUp
  • Poshmark (clothing and accessories)

Donation Centers

A woman talks to donation center organizers as she hands over a pile of clothing

You could also consider supporting the local community by donating your unwanted items. We recommend starting with local women’s shelters and homeless shelters; they will either use or sell the items to benefit people in need. Also, consider donating to non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Salvation Army thrift stores. Many offer free furniture donation pickup, so you don’t need to worry about hauling large items.

Another option is to donate to a local community or high school theater. They can often use furniture, clothing, and household goods for sets, costumes, and props.

Make sure that, whatever charity or community organization you choose, you call or contact them ahead of time to ask what kinds of items they’ll take or need.

Recycling and Disposal Services

Items that can’t be sold or donated shouldn’t necessarily end up in the trash. Look for recycling and disposal services that can process waste safely. This is particularly important for items that present environmental or safety hazards, such as:

  • Batteries
  • Electronic waste
  • Tires
  • Chemicals
  • Medications
  • Paint
  • Lightbulbs
  • Thermometers
  • Fire alarms

Packing Tips for a Clutter-Free Move

a couple tapes boxes and packs items into plastic tubs for their move

The best time to pack your home is immediately after you finish decluttering. Packing quickly reduces the chance that items will migrate to other rooms, and by starting early, you can avoid the stress of a last-minute rush.

Here are a few packing tips:

  • Start by packing items you won’t use before the move
  • Fill a special box with essentials you’ll need during the first few days in the new home
  • Label boxes clearly with the room name and contents
  • Create an inventory list for each box and room to track your belongings
  • Pack similar items together for easier unpacking and organizing
  • Move packed boxes into a designated area or room

Learn more about the best ways to pack in our Packing Hub.

FAQs About Decluttering

What should I remove first when decluttering?

When decluttering, start by throwing out garbage, expired items, and worn or broken items. This process automatically reduces clutter and makes it easier to assess the rest of your things. From there, you might tackle the messiest areas first: junk drawers, closets, and crowded counters or tabletops. Freeing up these spaces reduces the mental workload and gives you more room to organize the remaining items.

What is the 5-second rule for decluttering?

The 5-second rule requires you to decide what to do with an item in five seconds. Try counting backwards, and speak your decision out loud when you get to the end of the countdown. This encourages you to trust your gut and helps prevent you from agonizing over each item.

What is the one-touch rule for avoiding clutter?

The one-touch rule means you should put an item in its place after you use it. Instead of setting it down in a temporary spot, simply put it away immediately. For example, don’t put a book on the coffee table when you finish reading it—put it on the bookshelf. Items that aren’t put where they belong tend to create clutter.

What happens to your brain when you declutter your home?

Decluttering before moving decreases stress and helps calm your mind. A cleaner, more organized space reduces visual distractions, making it easier to think clearly.

How to Organize Your Move: A Complete Guide

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Moving is a notoriously stressful undertaking, with seemingly endless logistics, to-dos, and boxes, but a little organization can go a long way and turn the chaos into calm productivity. In the following guide, we’ll walk you through both the big-picture strategies and small-but-mighty tips for every stage of your move so you can keep everything under control from start to finish.

Step 1: Declutter Before You Do Anything Else

A woman organizes clothing into three boxes labeled discard, donate, and keep in order from left to right

When it comes to moving, less is, well, less — less to pack, less to lift, and (probably the best part) less to pay.

So before you even think about collecting moving quotes or picking up the packing tape, take the time to declutter. Get started with the usual suspects: expired pantry items, worn-out linens, duplicate kitchen tools, and clothes that haven’t seen the light of day in years. Then you can move on to seasonal and less-used items, until finally you’re packing up everything except the things you need immediately for moving day.

Pro tips:

  • Start early — ideally a month before your move for a local move, and two months before a long-distance move.
  • Use up perishable food and open household products before Moving Day.
  • Set up simple “donate,” “sell,” and “toss” zones to stay organized as you sort.

Need a hand deciding what should stay and what should go? Our decluttering guide has your back.

Step 2: Choose Your Packing Strategy

A woman kneels in the middle of a room filled with moving boxes. She's carrying a clipboard and there's a thoughtful expression on her face.

Before you start packing, take a moment to decide how you want to go about it. Picking a strategy upfront not only makes the packing process smoother, but it will make unpacking a lot easier.

You have two main options at your disposal:

Room-by-room packing: As the name suggests, this approach involves packing up everything in a room, one room at a time. As you go along, label your boxes with the room name (e.g., “Living Room,” “Master Bed”) as well as contents (e.g., “Office—Files”). It’s simple and intuitive, and makes it easier to unpack, especially if your next home will have the same number of rooms and you want to keep the same stuff in each room.

Category-based packing: Packing your items by category (e.g., “Electronics,” “Books,” “Toiletries”) usually involves a bit more planning as well as careful labeling during the process.

 

“If you’re moving long distance, take your first steps at least eight weeks prior to your moving date. For a local move, aim to get started at least six weeks in advance.”

 

It’s ideal for moves where a simple room-by-room translation isn’t possible because you’ll be downsizing, upsizing, or reconfiguring your layout.

Whichever method you choose, just make sure to stick with it and that everyone who’s helping is on the same page.

Pro Tips:

  • Create a shared packing checklist if multiple people are helping with the packing. This way, you can avoid double work or missed items.
  • Set aside essential items for the final days in your current home and the first days in your new place. Think: toiletries, toilet paper, a few days’ worth of clothes, linens, towels, shower curtain and rod, coffee maker and coffee, mugs, pet food and dishes, medications, laptop, and charger.

For more tips, check out our guide on how to organize packing for a move.

Step 3: Label Like a Pro

a woman labels the side of a box with a permanent marker

Labeling means less stress on moving day and in the weeks that follow as you unpack your things. While it may feel like a chore in the midst of all the packing chaos, your future self will thank you for taking a moment to clearly label your boxes.

Here are three labeling styles we recommend:

  • Color-coded labels by room: Assign a color to each room and use matching labels or tape for every box.
  • Numbered boxes with a master inventory: Keep a running list, in a notebook, spreadsheet, or app, of what’s in each numbered box. This makes it easier to track down specific items if you need to find something fast, and it can come in handy for insurance purposes.
  • Short written summaries on each box: Make quick notes on labels or directly on the box specifying both the room and items in the box (e.g., “Guest Bath—Toilettries”). This one can be combined with the techniques above.

Supplies you’ll need:

  • Lots of markers
  • Pre-printed labels or washi tape
  • A notebook and pen, or a mobile-friendly app (like Sortly, Google Sheets, or Notes) for inventory tracking

Pro tips:

  • Pick a labeling style and stick to it.
  • Label all sides of your boxes, as you never know which side will be facing out in the truck or in your new home.
  • Label as you pack (don’t save it for later)

For more details on how to label boxes for your move, check out How to Color Code Boxes for Moving.

Step 4: Appoint a Moving Day Coordinator (It’s Probably You)

A woman directs movers where to put some boxes

As with anything, moving runs smoothly when someone is in charge. Chances are, that someone is you.

Some of the duties of this Moving Coordinator include:

  • Directing movers or helpers to the items that need to be loaded on the truck, and letting them know where the bathroom and water can be found
  • Making sure everything goes into the right rooms upon arrival in your new home
  • Fielding last-minute questions and resolving any issues that may come up

Pro tips:

  • Tape signs/colored labels or tape to the doors of your new home. This way, everyone will know exactly where to go without having to ask.
  • Create a moving day kit, complete with a clipboard, extra markers and packing tape, water, snacks, phone chargers, and anything else you need to keep everyone energized and everything under control.

Step 5: Unpack Systematically

A couple happily unpacks a box labeled "kitchen" in their new home

With Moving Day behind you (finally!), it’s time to settle in and unpack.

Prioritize the areas you’ll need up and running first — the bedrooms and bathrooms, the kitchen, and if you work remotely, your home office or workstation.

While you may be tempted to tear into every box, it’s best to unpack one room at a time so you don’t end up overwhelmed by the disorder of half-unpacked spaces.

While there’s less finesse needed with unpacking than with packing your stuff, there’s still an art to it, so make sure to check out our guide on How to Unpack.

Bonus Tips: Best Way to Organize a Move

Before the to-dos and the boxes start piling up, here are a few extra tips from our pros to help save you some headaches and hassles down the road.

  • Make a “moving binder” to keep your checklist, moving quotes, receipts, travel maps, and other important documents in one central place.
  • Put reminders on your calendar for key tasks during the moving process, such as transferring your utilities and arranging mail forwarding.
  • Digitize your important documents and back up all your digital files.
  • Pack essential items in clear plastic moving bins to keep them easily visible and accessible.
  • Before unplugging, take photos of complex electronic setups.
  • Keep your essentials, valuables, and important documents (like birth certificates and Social Security cards) on you during the move.

Stay Organized with HireAHelper

No matter how much you prepare, no move is perfect. But by staying organized, you can keep stress levels minimal and make the entire experience a lot less overwhelming. While it may seem like a lot of time and energy, you can rest assured that all that effort will pay off in the long run with a smoother moving experience.

 

“Create a shared packing checklist if multiple people are helping with the packing. This way, you can avoid double work or missed items.“

 

At HireAHelper, we make it easy to stay organized with our moving resources and curated hub for vetted moving help that lets you compare movers with ease. Check out our moving blog or get a fast, easy quote today to get started.

FAQs

How do I organize myself for a move?

To stay organized for a move, start planning as early as possible. If you’re moving long distance, take your first steps at least eight weeks prior to your moving date. For a local move, aim to get started at least six weeks in advance.

A detailed moving checklist will serve as your primary guide. Make sure to declutter your home before you start packing so that you have less to pack and less to move (not to mention, less to pay). Begin the process as early as you can, and make sure the first things you store in boxes are your off-season and less-used belongings.

Continue to follow the steps on your moving checklist one at a time, and you’ll be sure to stay on track.

How to pack for a move efficiently?

To pack your belongings as efficiently as possible, make sure to start the process by donating, selling, recycling, or tossing items you don’t need to bring with you. This can significantly cut down on packing time and your final moving costs.

Then pack up your home room by room and label boxes clearly with the room name and a list of boxed items.

Finally, keep essentials in their own separate box (or boxes) so that you don’t have to dig through mountains of boxes to find your laptop charger or coffee maker on Moving Day.

How long before a move should I start packing?

For a local move, it’s best to get started 4–6 weeks ahead of time. For longer-distance moves, such as out-of-state or cross-country relocations, aim to start planning 8 weeks in advance. Get started by getting rid of stuff you don’t really need or want to bring along, then begin packing non-essentials. Gradually work your way toward daily-use items as Moving Day approaches.

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