(Newswire.net — June 9, 2021) — One’s consumption and hoarding patterns only surface when it’s time to get moving. Suddenly, you’re in the middle of packing, and you realize the amount of stuff you’ve collected during the years. And this realization is immediately followed by disgust and the determination to get rid of some things quickly. However, it can be difficult to decide what to throw away, what to keep, and where to begin the cluttering!
To get the process underway, here are some tips and a comprehensive list of things you should try to get rid of before the moving dates close in.
Get sorting
It doesn’t matter if it’s from a tiny drawer, a room, or just some junk lying around; you need to start sorting. Sort everything you don’t want to keep into the following three piles.
Donation pile
Reserve this pile for any gently-used items that can be of use to other people––such as books, equipment, and clothes. Collect the things you don’t want and go around the public schools, local NGOs, animal shelters, community centers to start donating.
Recycle pile
Common recycling items include glass, paper, or plastic. Additionally, some places can even let you recycle obsolete electronic appliances, batteries, and used stationary.
Trash pile
Anything you don’t need and can’t reuse or recycle should go in this pile.
Consider temporary storage
Often, you’ll find items that you don’t need, but you still don’t have the heart to chuck them out. A good approach to deal with such items is to rent a storage unit and send them away temporarily. That way, you can judge their significance in your life while knowing you can get them back. Suppose the move is intercity, such as from Atlanta, GA to Macon, GA. Then, searching options like Storage Units in Macon, GA, would help you ease into the transition.
In most cases, people soon realize that they never miss these items very much. Temporary storage comes particularly handy for things having sentimental value– like books, stuffed animals, and presents.
Clothing and shoes
There’s at least one pair of jeans or heels tucked in most people’s wardrobes that they think might fit them someday. And though the emotion is understandable, you should consider donating such items to charity or selling them instead. A hefty price tag doesn’t necessarily define the value something adds to your life.
Got Junk?
The majority have more junk in their homes than they’d like to admit. Do you disagree? Well, what about the books you’ll never re-read, band posters from your teenage, lousy presents that you’re never using, and barely-touched appliances? Besides consuming functional space, holding onto clutter without a solid reason can make you feel anxious and overwhelmed. So, go on, get rid of it!
Kitchen Extras
Take this tip as a sign: that leftover food in the fridge won’t be edible after the move. And especially for those moving long distances, it’s wise to leave behind any perishable items.
Old and broken cups or mugs might’ve been acceptable while you lived in a college dorm and had make-do to survive. However, you’ll have to discard a few of them to ensure your cabinets aren’t overflowing every time you open them.
Remember the plastic containers with the missing lids and cracked bottoms? Moving can be the perfect excuse to get a couple of new ones. Most homeowners have a kitchen junk drawer, mainly filled with useless trinkets and trash. Therefore, go through yours and eliminate anything non-essential like bent forks, broken pens, and restaurant menus.
Old electronics
Who doesn’t remember their first personal computer from the 90s? Those PCs could give giants a run for their money. And tragic as it may be, you must say goodbye now.
And while you’re at it, rid the attic of all old VHS cassettes, Game Boys, sandwich makers, and any inflatable furniture too.
Paper Trash
Take a quick review of the whole house and see if you can part with any receipts, bills, documents, and other paper junk.
Similarly, it’s best to gather and toss those design, fitness, and cooking magazines you’ve been hoarding over the years. It’s fine if you want to retain some favorites, but the rest must make their way to the recycling!
Kids’ Clutter
It’s pretty common for children to forget about certain toys or simply stop using them. Therefore, moving makes the ideal opportunity to clean those toys out and free up space. Also, try to tidy up the toy box by removing anything that can’t be played with any longer—for instance, broken toys or those with missing pieces.
Moreover, it’s illogical to keep holding onto clothes that your kids have outgrown, are stained, or are too torn to be repaired. Make sure to donate as much as possible and throw out whatever remains.
Old medicines
Lastly, take some time to go through and clean out the medicine cabinet. Besides saving space, checking your medicine can potentially save your life. Most drugs lose their potency when they go past expiry dates. And people consuming them to treat a serious illness might be receiving the wrong dosage. Therefore, it’s best to toss any expired or old ones out.
Wrapping Up
The moving process can be an exhilarating yet nerve-racking experience for most homeowners. And without a structured plan for every part of the process, including preparing, packing, and the final move-in, frustration can quickly take over. So, to make the pre-moving phase less burdensome, this article discussed how and what to clean out before moving. After sorting each household item, paper trash, old electronics, and kitchen non-essentials are some things you should try eliminating.