Every item you let go of is one you do not pack, carry or unpack. Spend the first week of your move plan deciding what is not coming with you.
Drive past any college campus when a term ends and you will see furniture, small appliances and clothing piled at the curb. Most of it still works. It ended up there because nobody planned ahead. A week of sorting avoids that.
Step 1: Give to family and friends
Offer things to people you know first. It is the fastest way to move a couch or a set of dishes, and there is no listing to write.
Step 2: Sell or give away online
What your circle passes on, post publicly. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and your local Freecycle group all work.
- Take clear photos in good light.
- State the age and condition honestly. It saves you wasted trips and no-shows.
- Set a pickup deadline a week before your move date.
Step 3: Donate the rest
Clothing is especially useful to charities that serve people without stable housing. Two organizations that take donated goods:
Call ahead. Each location sets its own rules on what it accepts and whether it picks up.
A donation to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit may be tax deductible. Keep the receipt and ask your tax preparer.
What is left
Whatever nobody wants should go before the truck arrives, not onto it. If the pile is large, ask us about clean-out help.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start decluttering before a move?
In the first week of planning, before you pack anything.
What should I get rid of before moving?
Anything you have not used in a year, duplicates, and furniture that will not fit the new place.
Are donations tax deductible?
Donations to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit may be. Keep your receipt and check with a tax professional.
Once the house is lighter
See what to pack first and request a free quote for your move.