The best time to declutter is when you’re going through your home in preparation for a move. You’ll be unpacking everything you own in any case, so there’s no real excuse not to get down to it.
Studies have shown that clutter is bad for your mental health, so if you’re looking for a fresh start in your new home, the time is now.
Here’s how to declutter before moving to your new place.
Getting Rid of Unused Clothing
Clothing is one of the items that we’re least likely to part with during a move. In the first place, we always live in the hope that we’ll be able to wear those too-small items again one day.
We also hang onto garments because they cost a lot of money in the first place, even though that particular fashion craze is long gone. The rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn it for six months, let it go.
To make things easier for you, enlist the help of a friend. They’ll be able to tell you which of your outfits suits you, and which really don’t.
It also helps if you avoid touching the items during your de-clutter. Let your friend hold them up for you to see while they give you their opinion.
Decluttering Appliances and ‘Collectible’ Items
If you haven’t fixed that dysfunctional toaster or microwave by now, and you’ve already replaced it, it’s time to say goodbye.
As you’re unpacking, group items according to their purpose. That way it’s easier to spot any doubles. There are bound to be items that you have duplicates of. By all means, keep a back up of essential items, such as tin openers, but do you really need two or more vegetable peelers.
Lose all those mismatched items, like cups with no matching saucers and all those plastic lids that have lost their partners a long time ago.
The same principles apply to your garage and other storage areas.
How to Declutter Before Moving in an Eco-Friendly Way
A major concern for most homeowners is where their discarded items will end up. After all, appliances large and small can take hundreds of years to decompose and are a major problem in landfills all over the world.
That’s why it’s important to recycle as much as you can. Enquire around your neighborhood about organizations that accept used clothing, appliances, and other items. Often, they will collect your goods and put them to good use.
Set up separate boxes for plastic, paper, and glass goods that you can’t donate and take a trip to your local recycling bins, or get a rubbish removal company to pick them up.
If you do have to discard some items, choose a removal company that cares about what they do with your unwanted items. Always research whether your removal company has an eco-friendly approach.
If they don’t brag about this outright on their website, like www.dirtcheaprubbishremoval.com.au or http://www.sunshinegroupe.com.au/ they probably don’t do it.
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If you enjoyed this piece on how to declutter before moving, you could also benefit from reading some more of our moving tips and other advice on our website.
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