Moving is stressful, but there is a definite upside to it – you can no longer prolong decluttering your home. Moving is ideal for sorting out your belongings and deciding what you need in your new abode. Packing and paying to move things you won’t even use any longer is a complete waste of money, effort, and time. Decluttering your home may seem like an enormous chore, but with a bit of planning and effort, you can make it easier.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you declutter your home efficiently:

Start early

The most common mistake people make while decluttering their home is waiting till the movers arrive to pack things up. And when that happens, you get little time to declutter and just pack up anything and everything. To prevent that from happening, start your decluttering at least two weeks in advance. Also, start with one room at a time to clear things in an organized manner.

Categorize everything

The sheer amount of sorting you may have to do during decluttering can throw you completely off track. The best way to start your decluttering project is by dividing your thing into the following five categories:

  • Things you often use: In this bucket, add everything you use often, things you don’t use regularly but need once in a while, and items of high monetary value like jewelry. 
  • Things you have not used in a year: You keep items in your home in your closest year around but have no use for them. This is especially true for clothes, cutlery sets, and footwear. If you haven’t used them in a year or more, it is a sure sign that you can do without them.
  • Things of sentimental value: There are things you may not use but hold sentimental value, such as family heirlooms, pictures, and books, making them priceless. Add them to a separate list.
  • Things you can sell: Here, you have further to divide the things you haven’t used in a year into things that are in good condition, and you can resell.
  • Things you can’t sell: And here falls all those things that you cannot resell.

Sell items

Once you have sorted everything into the above categories, you can sell the items that are in good condition. For example, you can conduct a good old yard sale or sell things on eBay and other online platforms.

Donate to charity

A few items may not have high resale value but may still be helpful to others, such as old clothes, books, and other things. Donate such items to charity or drop them at Walmart.

Recycle

Some items may not be of any use in their present condition; however, you can convert them into art pieces and valuable household items with a bit of creativity and DIY work. Recycle such items to make new things.

About InterWest Moving & Storage

InterWest Moving & Storage, an agent of Atlas Van Lines, has been delivering high-quality transportation services to our customers since 1956. Apart from residential packing and moving, we also provide domestic and international corporate, art and government relocation services. You can call our toll-free number (800) 877-1091 to book your services and get a free quote.