What To Get Rid Of When Moving

Nick Durante
by Nick Durante

It’s no secret that moving is a stressful experience. Moving can be a long and expensive process, and figuring out how to manage your time can be frustrating. Many people understandably struggle with what to get rid of when moving.

When moving, try to get rid of as many old clothes, furniture, and worn bedding as possible. Consolidate, sell, donate, or throw away your old collection of books, comics, CDs, records, and outdated media when you move. It also helps to get rid of expired cleaning supplies and food items when moving.

If you have grown children, moving is the best time to get rid of the old clothes and toys they’ve outgrown. Follow along as we highlight what to get rid of when moving.

What Should I Throw Out When I Move?

Whether it be your neglected book collection or stack of old clothes, there is plenty to get rid of when moving. Moving is the perfect time to consolidate your belongings and get a fresh start. Follow along as we explore what you should throw out when you move.

1. Old Clothes

It’s easy to forget about how much space old clothes take up when they simply sit collecting dust in your closet. It may be tucked away and out of sight, but old clothing items take up valuable storage space that could be used for something more useful. Old clothes are the first things to get rid of when moving.

Go through your drawers and closets and pick out some clothing items that you are unlikely to wear again. Separate the clothes that you want to discard into another pile. From there, you can either donate the clothes, give them to a friend, or simply throw them away.

This will give you the chance to start your life in a new home with as much closet space as possible.

2. Worn Bedding

Bedding wears down over time, and it eventually becomes unappealing and uncomfortable. Bringing old, worn bedding into a new home may seem like a great way to save money, but the minimal savings are rarely worth it. Get rid of your old bedding if you’ve used it for over 3-5 years and it isn’t as nice or comfortable as it used to be.

Of course, you will need to replace the bedding, but at least it will be new. This tip is less about saving space and more about making your new home as comfortable as possible.

3. Used Cleaning Supplies

Many homeowners buy several household cleaning sprays for specific problems, that can accumulate over time. They likely take up too much space under your sink or in a supply closet. Of course, you need to use several cleaning supplies when moving, so this is your chance to figure out which ones you can get rid of.

Thoroughly clean your home and use up near-empty bottles of spray cleaner to get the most out of them. Consolidate your cleaning supplies and throw away anything that is expired, or that you won’t use anytime soon. This also applies to old mops, brooms, sponges, and washcloths.

4. Ineffective Appliances

Moving appliances from one house or apartment complex to another is a nightmare. They are often heavy and hard to move, and you will have to spend money to transport them. If you have old appliances that only have a few years left in them, it may be time to get rid of them.

This will save you the cost of getting rid of them when they eventually break down. New appliances are expensive, but it’s more expensive to move an old fridge and replace it a year later. You can easily sell your old appliances online through something like Facebook Marketplace.

That way, you will only pay to transport the appliance once and it will be in great shape. A new home with new appliances ensures that everything will work as well as possible, and you will get off to a perfect start. You don’t need to replace all your appliances, but it’s worthwhile to examine them or even get a professional opinion to see if they are viable.

5. Expired Items

Whether it be old food or medicine, there is no reason to bring it with you when you move. It’s easy to let expired medication and food build up, and it’s just as easy to throw them away. Not only do they take up too much space, but it’s dangerous to consume expired food and medicine.

Get rid of expired food when moving to take up less space in the truck and free up some room in the fridge at your new place.

6. Outdated Electronics

When was the last time you used the old DVD player that has been collecting dust at your house? Outdated electronics like DVD players, computer monitors, and gaming consoles that you don’t use anymore are a waste of space. If you don’t use them anymore, then there is no reason to let them collect dust and limit your storage.

Televisions from the early 2000s are quite bulky and don’t fit well in most modern homes. Look online for electronics recycling facilities or try to sell your old devices through a website marketplace. Many people collect old electronics, so you could make some money to put towards moving expenses.

7. Old Media

Like outdated electronics, old media like video games and cassette tapes take up much-needed space. Unless you use them, your old DVD, video game, CD, book, cassette tape, and vinyl collection is worth getting rid of when moving. Some people collect these items, and in that case, you can simply consolidate them without getting rid of them.

If you’re ready to part ways with your collection of old media, you can likely make some money. Visit a record store or use an online resource to get an itemized value for your collection. This will tell you if you have anything valuable, and depending on what you have, you could get a good return on your investment.

Otherwise, you can simply pass your collection down to a friend or family member who has more space for it. Organizations like Goodwill also accept old books, CDs, and DVDs.

8. Children’s Items

If you have children, there is a good chance that you’ve held onto their old clothes and toys. While they likely have sentimental value, there is no reason to hold onto these items for too long after your kids have outgrown them. Get rid of these items when moving to free up space at your new home.

Whether you throw them away, give them to a friend, or donate them to Goodwill, your old children’s toys and clothes will be out of your way.

9. Storage Containers

Storage bins and totes are useful, but they typically stand out and take up plenty of space. They will come in handy when you move, and that’s also the perfect time to get rid of them. Use your storage containers to transport bedding, pillows, clothes, silverware, and more.

Get rid of as many storage containers as possible once you get everything into your new home. Some of your containers may still come in handy and you can keep them around. However, you should recycle or pitch any bulky containers that take up too much space if you won’t use them again.

10. Furniture

While it’s nice to bring old furniture to a new place, it’s also nice to get a fresh start. You likely have some furniture in your home that you could part ways with. Think about your furniture collection and consider how well it will fit into your new home’s aesthetic.

Take this chance to get rid of old furniture that is in bad shape or will be tricky to transport when moving. You can also sell old furniture and use the money to put it towards a new couch or set of chairs.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire Movers?

It costs an average of $37 per hour to hire movers. Movers can charge as much as $50-$75 per hour or as little as $25 per hour for local moves. They also charge you gas and transportation fees based on mileage.

Long-distance moves exceeding 250 miles often cost over $2,000. Additional expenses include moving insurance, which typically costs 2% of the value of the property.

Summing It Up

Get rid of expired food, old cleaning supplies, and ineffective appliances when moving. Go through your old collection of outdated media and sell or get rid of anything you don’t use anymore. Donate or sell old clothing, toys, electronics, and storage containers when moving to make more room in your new home.

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Nick Durante
Nick Durante

Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.

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