7 Things to Declutter Before Packing for a Move
Moving made easier starts before the first box is packed.
Decluttering first means less to pack, move, and
unpack and an easier-to-organize new home.
If you're getting ready for a move, you probably already know you should go through your closets and pantry before you start packing. But after helping clients pack, move, unpack and organize their new homes, I've noticed that it's usually the less obvious things that get packed without anyone really thinking about them.
I'm Carol Appelbaum, founder of Luxury Pro Organizer in Houston, and my team and I help clients with the entire organizing side of a move, from preparing and packing to unpacking and organizing the new home.
It's usually during the unpacking that I'm struck by how many things people paid to pack and move that they really didn't need or even want anymore.
Here are seven areas I think people often miss.
1. Go All the Way to the Back of the Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers
I see so many expired cosmetics, medications and sunscreens, along with half-used skincare and hair products, samples and products someone bought, didn't like and never used again.
These are easy to overlook because they're tucked behind the things you use every day.
I wouldn't move anything you already know you aren't going to use. You'll have less to pack, and you won't start filling the bathroom in your new home with things that should have been thrown away years ago.
2. Match Every Food Storage Container With Its Lid
Don't just declutter the pantry. Go through the plastic food storage, reusable takeout containers, plastic cups, water bottles and travel cups.
We unpack so many containers that are discolored or warped, containers with no lids and lids with no containers. Somehow these things just get packed.
This is a really easy category to cut down before a move, and it makes organizing your new kitchen and pantry so much easier.
3. Find the Drawer With All the Mystery Cords and Cables
Almost everyone has one.
There are old chargers, cables, adapters and remotes that people are afraid to get rid of because they don't know what they go to. That's exactly why I would deal with them before moving.
Match them to the electronics you actually own. There's no reason to pay to move a cord for something you got rid of five years ago and then put that same mystery cord into a drawer in the new house.
4. Look at the Bottom of the Toy Bins, Under the Beds and in the Back of the Kids' Closets
Kids can outgrow toys just like they outgrow clothes, but it isn't as obvious.
The toys they're playing with are usually the ones you see. The toys they've outgrown, broken toys and games with missing pieces tend to work their way to the bottom or back.
I'd rather see a family donate usable toys before the move than pay to move them and realize while we're unpacking that the kids haven't played with them in years.
5. Don't Forget the Bottom of Your Sock, Underwear and Shoe Storage
People will go through their hanging clothes before a move and completely overlook worn-out socks, underwear, bras, old pajamas and shoes.
If the elastic is stretched out, it's uncomfortable, it's worn out, a sock has no mate or you continually choose something else instead, why move it?
These are little things individually, but they take up a surprising amount of drawer and closet space when you put them all together.
6. Look for Things That Belong to a Part of Your Life That Isn't There Anymore
Pet supplies are a good example. I've seen people move pet beds, crates, bowls, toys and other supplies when they no longer even have the pet.
The same thing can happen with children's activities they've outgrown, old hobbies or accessories for appliances and equipment they no longer own.
Of course, there may be something sentimental you want to keep. That's different from packing an entire category simply because no one stopped to go through it.
7. Before You Pack Inexpensive Items, Think About
What You're Actually Paying to Move Them
This is one I really notice when we're unpacking a move.
A half-used bottle of cooking oil, old specialty vinegar, expired or nearly empty cleaning products or laundry products may need to be put in plastic to protect against leaking and then packed with paper so they don't move around in the box.
Old or discolored drinking glasses, chipped dishes and inexpensive glassware may have to be individually wrapped.
Sometimes I look at what has been wrapped, boxed and moved and think it would have cost the client less to leave it behind and buy a replacement at the new house if they still needed it.
You're not only paying to transport the item. You're paying for packing materials and someone's time to pack it, load it, move it, unload it and possibly unpack it.
The Question I Wish More People Asked Before Moving
Instead of only asking:
“Can I still use this?”
Ask:
“Is this worth paying someone to move into my new home?”
That's probably the biggest thing I wish more people thought about before a move.
The less you move, the less you have to pack, pay to transport and unpack and the easier it is to start your new home organized instead of bringing all of the old clutter with you.
My Advice Was Recently Featured in The Spruce
I recently shared these moving and decluttering tips with The Spruce, where some of my advice was included in “8 Things You Should Declutter Before You Start Packing for a Move.”
Read about this national media feature on the Luxury Pro Organizer Press page.
Planning a Move in Houston?
Luxury Pro Organizer provides professional move organization, packing, unpacking and complete home organization for clients throughout Houston and surrounding areas.
We don't simply unpack boxes. We help determine where belongings should live and create organized systems for kitchens, pantries, closets, bathrooms, offices and other spaces so your new home can function beautifully from the beginning.
Learn more about our Moving & Relocation Services or schedule a consultation with Luxury Pro Organizer.
