6 ways to Declutter your Home Before you Move

We all know that moving to a new house brings exciting and new adventures, but at the same time it can be daunting and stressful. All the ‘stuff’ that you’ve managed to accumulate over the years needs to be organised and you need to decide what is worth keeping and what needs to go into the bin. Decluttering is vital when moving homes because it allows potential buyers to visualise their own belongings inside the house, and the process of moving is simplified for you.

This is the best time to get rid of the things you’ve been hoarding, which you no longer need or use.  These are some tips to help you declutter your home before a move.

1. Boxes make life easier

Have four boxes for each room, one for stuff you want to keep and use, one for stuff you want to keep and store, one for things you want to sell and one for everything you want to donate. Make sure to label them appropriately with the name of the room and their purpose. You can list the contents of what’s inside the box as well for easiness. This will make unpacking easier, as you don’t have to wonder what’s in each box.

2. Get rid of the excess toys

When we have children, we tend to buy more toys than they need. Over time they lose interest in them and they end up untouched for months. This is the best time to donate those forgotten toys to children that would be very excited to have them. If your children are older than 2, you can ask them to participate and help you decide what goes and what stays. Tell them to pick 5-10 toys they want the most and the rest can go in the donation box.

3. Time to let go of the sentimental things

Getting rid of objects that have sentimental value is hard, however keeping them in a box in the attic doesn’t do them justice, instead it just takes away space. The memory stays with us without having to have the psychical object. If you would like to have a reminder, you can take a picture of that item. If the memory is painful, it’s best to completely get rid of it, as there is no point in opening old wounds every time you see it.

4. Declutter your wardrobe

Going through your wardrobe and deciding what you want to keep and what you don’t can be overwhelming. Keep an open mind and try to let go of things you haven’t worn in a long time. There is a reason why we don’t reach for them anymore. However, it is best to try on the pieces of clothing you consider getting rid of, and see how they fit. Again, try to not get emotional over items of clothing even if they hold a fantastic memory for you. That memory will stay with you regardless if you keep the item or not. Donating it will only make space for more amazing memories to come!

5. Keep cleaning supplies where is most handy

It’s smart to leave cleaning supplies at the end and put them in a separate box. You will need them to tidy up when you move into the new house, and it’s best to have them in a handy place. Unless you plan on hiring a cleaning service, put them in their own box and label it accordingly.

6. Get help from a rubbish removal company

After you’re done with deciding what you want to keep and not, you will find yourself overwhelmed with the stuff you are throwing away. The best and easiest option is to hire a rubbish removal company that will make your life easier. They are licenced to remove all kinds of domestic waste from your home and you will be able to get rid of everything at once. Some companies will even uninstall fitted kitchens, bathrooms and furniture so you don’t have to.