Let’s face it, we’re all collectors of sort, which begs the question what should we keep and what we should toss when moving day comes around.

According to Joshua Green, a moving industry professional, author and writer, one good way to declutter your home without getting overwhelmed is to use the 12-month rule that many moving experts advocate. That decluttering rule states that if you haven’t used an item in the last 12 months, then you don’t really need it. Therefore you’d be better off selling it, gifting it, or donating it so that you can lower effectively your transportation cost. The 12-Month Rule is particularly apropos for shoes, clothes, toys, broken or worn out appliances and tools, books – things that may have served you well in the past but now are ready for the recycle bin.

Areas to Declutter First

Decluttering in preparation of a move should start with a plan. Here are five key areas of your home that once decluttered will greatly reduce the amount of items to take from your current home to your new one. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/top-5-areas-to-declutter-before-you-move-stsetivw-vs~84016596

1. Medicine Cabinet
First, remove every pill box and bottle. Lay them out on your counter and dispose of expired meds. To safely dispose of medicine, check out the Food and Drug Administration’s site or contact your local trash or recycling facility about proper disposal methods. Once you have cleared out your unwanted meds, place the items you wish to keep in a clearly labeled moving box.

2. Pantry
Declutter your pantry by emptying it shelf by shelf. Check expiration dates and staleness. If you are sure you won’t use something and it is still fresh, donate it to your local food pantry.

3. Basement
Basements tend to be universal dumping grounds. If you’ve been living in your home for a long time, it may be necessary to go as far as getting a dumpster to unload no longer used items.

4. Garage
When decluttering the garage, use three large cardboard boxes: Label one “trash,” one “donate” and one “keep.” Use these boxes to help sort what is coming with you from what is garbage and being given away. Using a system to declutter will help you visualize how much you have, and it often helps people feel better about throwing things out and giving items away.

5. Closets
You know what you wear and what you love. If you haven’t worn something in a year, you probably won’t wear it again, so put it in the donate box. With sheets, towels and blankets, check for duplicates. While it might be nice to have three sets of sheets, one or two will do.

Once you’ve completed decluttering these areas, either sell what you don’t want or donate it to charity. You’ll finally be rid of that clutter and you’ll make a little extra cash (or a tax deduction) to help offset your moving costs!

Related Reading:
How to Declutter Your Home Before Moving {7 Easy Steps}, by Joshua Green
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo
8 Simple Steps to Mindfully Declutter Your Home Before Moving