Moving can be a stressful process, and if you’re trying to take every single thing in your current home with you to your new one, it can get a lot worse for you. Knowing what items are okay to leave behind and donate before you pack the moving truck can save a lot of time and hassle. Here are nine things you should think about unloading from your life before you move.
1. Bathroom Items
Go through your bathroom cabinets and drawers before your move. If you have any expired products or anything you haven’t used in the last six months or so, it’s a good idea to toss it. Here is a good list of things—many of the bathroom items—that may not be allowed on the truck.
2. Closet Clutter
You probably have a lot of clothes that you’re hanging onto needlessly. Donate any clothes that are old, outdated, or stained to save closet space and create less clutter in the moving van.
3. Low-Quality Furniture
Low-quality furniture made out of particle board or laminate is particularly prone to breaking during a move. Donate or sell low-quality pieces that you have and perhaps buy higher quality furniture for your new home.
4. Pantry Perishables and Freezer Fare
Have a pantry party with your friends and family before you move. You won’t want to pack a freezer full of steaks and pork chops onto the moving truck.
5. Clear Out Your Candle Collection
Most moving companies won’t move candles. Your scented candles are likely to get misshapen and melt in the moving van anyway, so donating these would be a good idea before your move.
6. Kids’ Toys
Go through your kids’ toys and donate or toss anything that your tots have outgrown or are broken. Even small items can take up a lot of room, and your kids might not even realize they didn’t make it to the new house.
7. Toss Old Towels and Lose Your Linens
One of the greatest feelings you’ll have in life is the feeling of a new home with new towels and bed linens. If your towels and sheets have seen better days, consider donating them before you move.
8. Go Through the Garage
Walk through your garage and decide whether the outdoor furniture, hoses, and outdoor maintenance equipment should be kept or donated. Better yet, have a garage sale and use the proceeds to buy these things new at the new house.
9. Haul Away Hobby Stuff
Paring down your hobby supplies can save a lot of time and space. Plus, it can also give you a good reason to restock when you get to the new place. Anything that you haven’t used in six months or so is probably safe to go.
If you have an upcoming move looming on the horizon of your life, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by getting started now getting rid of excess items you have sitting around. Make your move and your life easier and less cluttered by getting rid of some of these things in preparation of your move.