Whenever we have a big task ahead of us, it is always a great idea to reduce the workload as much as possible.
Moving out is certainly no exception to the rule. From delegating tasks to seeking help from professionals, you can do plenty of things to reduce the stress and anxiety usually associated with the process.
One of the best ways to save a lot of effort and free up space in your new home is to use the move-out as an excellent opportunity to declutter.
We all have items we never use, nor do we plan to do so in the future, but we never get around to getting rid of them. Well, instead of packing and taking them with us, only to be an eyesore at our new place, we can get rid of them for good.
Decide what you want to get rid of
To do that, first, we need to identify what items we want to get rid of. Whether it is old electronics that we have convinced ourselves we may need at some point or clothes that we never really liked but kept in the closet just in case.
Depending on how long you have been at your current residence, you may have as much unwanted stuff as the one you use, so taking the time to carefully consider what you want to get rid of and what to keep is vital.
Remember that it is often hard to let go of some of our possessions even though we know we will never use them deep down, so don’t allow yourself to reconsider once you have decided you don’t need something.
Chances are, you don’t need it and are just making excuses as to why you shouldn’t just let it go.
Once you have this down, divide those items into a few piles. Things you want to sell, those you wish to donate, and those that aren’t good enough.
Donate or give away clothes still in good condition
Maybe you found that Christmas sweater that is too small, or some of the clothes you bought from a sale but didn’t like or need. Whatever the case, if you have clothes that are barely worn or in good condition, you may want to give them a good wash and set them up for donation.
Give your unused clothes a new life and make someone happy at the same time!
Sell items in good condition online
When talking about decluttering, people usually focus only on the small stuff. Well, that coffee table in the corner of the room collecting dust is undoubtedly something you would like to get rid of.
Maybe your new place has furniture, or you have decided to purchase a new couch even though your old one is still in good condition.
List those items online. With many websites and Facebook marketplace, you can easily find buyers for things you no longer want or need. Not having to move big, heavy furniture will save you plenty of resources and allow you to make those extra changes to your new furniture.
Organise a garage sale
While you can sell pretty much anything online, there is this special thrill of garage sales. Maybe you have some old magazines lying around or your old baseball card collection that you no longer need.
Open up your garage sale well before you move out, and people will come by and get rid of your items for you.
Research local charities
A recent study has shown that Brits do not donate nearly enough, and with over 200 000 charities desperately looking for help, you can certainly make a change.
Whether it is clothes, furniture, or your old but working microwave, consider contacting your local charities and see what of your unwanted possessions will be useful to them.
Some of them will even be able to arrange pick-up for all of your donations, so you don’t have to try and figure out a way to move your heavy stuff.
On top of feeling good about yourself and helping others in need, donating items means you may receive a tax deduction, which is just the icing on the cake.
Re-purpose some items
Sometimes you may be able to turn things from useless to useful. If you have the time, the inspiration and are pretty handy, the options to re-purpose your items are endless.
You can use them as handmade gifts for family and friends or even sell some unique items you created.
Even if you are not the crafty type or in the mood to experiment, you can still re-purpose some old clothes and towels into cleaning materials to help you with the final wipe of your current property.
Recycle items beyond repair
Ultimately, you can not find use in everything you have, and some of your belongings must be thrown away.
In such cases, don’t just pile everything up and eliminate it in one go. Sort out your paper, plastic, metal, and glass materials, as well as hazardous stuff such as batteries or other electronic parts and recycle them.
We live in a world where we need to take every opportunity and live a greener life, and this is one of the first steps towards a more environmentally friendly move!
Consider House Removals Services
When changing properties, it is always wise to use the services of a local home removals company. They will make the move that much easier, but with their insurance in place, you can ensure all of your belongings will arrive safe and sound.
If you have decided to opt for this option, chances are that the same company will also offer to have some of your stuff moved to a storage facility. This is especially handy for items you may not need now but may be useful later.
Using a single company for more than one service will almost certainly provide you with a better quote and, with sufficient notice, you may even get a discount.
Conclusion
When getting rid of unwanted items, you should consider everything that is within your household. Anything stored and forgotten, everything you want to replace, or anything you will not use at your new home.
Ensure you remove all this stuff before your move to save time, money, effort and space.
