Moving into a new home is quite an adventure, but it does come with its hiccups. One huge obstacle that can stand in the way of this change is what to do with all the junk you have amassed over the years. Here are a few tips to help you out.
1. Declutter ASAP
Even if you don’t know when you are going yet, make sure to begin the cleaning process. You need lots of time, especially if you have lived in this house for some time and you will be downsizing.
- Room-by-Room Cleaning: Start with the rooms in the house that seem to accumulate clutter first: closets, attics, basements, and garages. Next, describe all items into categories to be kept, donated, recycled, or trashed.
- Apply the “One-Year Rule”: If you haven’t used or worn it during the past year, it’s probably time to get rid of it. It works with clothes, kitchen gadgets, hobby supplies-you name it.
- Garage Sale or Donation: Round up the things no longer needed and hold a garage sale to bring in some extra cash or donate the items to local charities.
2. Dumpster Rentals for Large Homes
Of course, if you happen to have a lot of clutter and especially are downsizing or renovating before moving, renting a dumpster or even self-dumping hoppers can be a real lifesaver.
- Waste Management with Ease: Self-dumping hoppers will help handle huge volumes of waste, including old furniture, appliances, and construction debris. They were designed to load and dump easily, making them perfect for extensive cleanouts.
- Convenience: You can use several on-site dumpsters or even a hopper to throw away items immediately rather than piling them in your home. This keeps the space clean and reduces the stress of moving.
- Environmentally Friendly Options: Look for waste management services that offer recycling options for materials like wood, metal, and electronics. This helps minimize your environmental impact while clearing out your home.
3. Stick to a Packing Plan
Make sure to make a well-thought-out packing strategy that will prove effective in keeping you organized and reducing clutter and waste.
- Gather Supplies Early: Collect all the materials you will need for packaging, preferably boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Reuse any boxes that may have been saved from previous relocations or inquire at local shops about free ones to minimize waste.
- Label Everything: This might sound superfluous, but labeling every box clearly with what it contains and in which room of the house it goes will save a lot of headaches when one goes to unpack.
- Pack A Room At A Time: Packing one room at a time will help you keep things in order and prevent clutter from spreading throughout your home. This way, you go through each area systematically, reducing the chances of forgetting anything.
4. Schedule a Donation Pickup
One of the easiest things to do with unwanted items when moving is to give them to a charitable orgaization. Most places will have donation pickups, saving immense amounts of time.
- Research Local Charities: Find out what kinds of charities and organizations exist in your area that take donations of furniture, clothes, and other household items. Most offer pickup completely free of charge-you won’t have to Tetris the inside of your car just to squeeze in one more old couch.
- Schedule Early: Set up donation pickups weeks in advance of your moving date. This will allow you to be assured everything is taken care of and feel good that items are going to a good cause rather than to the landfill.
- Tax Write-offs: Remember to request a receipt upon donation. Most charity donations are deducted according to your current taxation and are one of the best ways to reduce your tax burden while serving others.
5. Allow for Last-Minute Trash and Recycling
Even with the best planning, there will likely be some last-minute garbage and recyclables to attend to on moving day. Having a plan in place will make the final clean-up a whole lot easier.
- Make a Trash Area: Designate a section of every room you are packing as a place for rubbish and recycling. The mess will remain confined there until you are ready to dispose of it.
- Have Supplies: Have plenty of trash bags and recycling bins on hand for those last-minute items that you will find while cleaning out your home. That way, everything gets taken away, and nothing is left behind.
- Hazardous Material Disposal: Items such as paints and batteries should be disposed of as required by local law. Check with your local waste management facility on how to dispose of these items.
With a few simple tips in your corner, your move should be clean and clutter-free.