12 Things You Should Definitely Toss Before You Move

Having a hard time with the pre-move purge? We’re here to help. Whether you’re downsizing or simply looking to de-junk, there are plenty of good reasons to cut your clutter in half before a move. For starters, moving less stuff means an easier and less expensive relocation experience for you. You won’t have to waste as much time unpacking, and you may be able to avoid renting a storage unit as well. So as you begin the packing process, make sure you definitely toss these 12 items before you move.

Junky coffee mugs – Thankfully, moving means a fresh start in a new kitchen – without the clutter of half-chipped mugs to weigh you down. If you find your kitchen cupboards are overwhelmed with junky coffee mugs, you’re not alone! Many people are guilty of collecting wayyy too many mugs while on vacations and in airports. If you’re one of these people, I recommend ditching the mugs you no longer need by donating them or trashing them responsibly.

Clothing you haven’t worn for years – Stop and look around your closet. If you find yourself surrounded by the ghost of fashion past, it may be time to do some serious purging. While letting go of old clothing and accessories can be a difficult and time consuming process, it’s one of the single best ways to cut down on junk (and moving expenses). After all, clothing takes up a lot of room in your moving boxes and in your drawers. When deciding on what to keep and what to toss, keep these questions in mind: Have you worn it in the last year? Is it still on-trend? Does it fit? Is it in good condition? If the answer is a resounding “no,” then ditch the item of clothing before the move. Goodwill , Habitat for Humanity , and The Salvation Army are all good places to donate your clothing.

Old decorative pillows – One easy way to cut down on clutter is toss your extensive decorative pillow collection. Over the years, many homeowners collect inexpensive throw pillows from places like Target, TJ Maxx and others. Unless you’re planning on maintaining the same color and decor scheme in your new home, toss your old pillows to make way for new ones before the move. Donation sites, such as Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore and Goodwill will happily accept pillows in good shape.

Unwanted DVDs and CDs – If your drawers and shelves are jam-packed with old DVDs and CDs, it may be time to let go of these dated items. By eliminating unused DVDs and CDs, you’ll save room for items you can actually use in the future. Movies, TV shows, and music can now be streamed at the click of a button. Your collection probably won’t serve much of a purpose in your new home anyway. To get rid of old DVDs and CDs, I recommend either selling them to an online reseller, giving them away or hosting a garage sale.

Old paint – Unless you’re planning to leave a can or two for the new residents, you’ll need to responsibly dispose of it all before the move. Unfortunately, most donation sites won’t accept hazardous items, which include aerosols, propane tanks and (of course) paint. Most local curbside trash programs won’t accept or pick up your paint either. The best way to properly dispose of old paint is by bringing them to a local drop off site for hazardous and chemical-containing items.

Books – Those readers guilty of library hoarding (guilty!) have more books than they know what to do with. And while many of these may be coming with you on the move, some of those dust-ridden books will have to go. Books no longer serving a purpose in your life or your new home should be donated, given away or sold before you move.

Expired medications – If your bathroom medicine cabinets are overflowing with old prescriptions or expired medications, I recommend tossing them as soon as possible. To properly dispose of medications, the FDA recommends first checking to see if the medicine can be accepted through a community-based drug “take-back” program. If not, the FDA provides guidelines for how to responsibly trash meds and/or flush them down the toilet here .

Leftover food – Don’t forget to empty the fridge before moving! While you may be able to pack leftover snacks, canned goods and pantry items for the move, I don’t recommend bringing everything with you. For starters, unless you’re moving nearby and are able to pack a cooler, perishable foods in your refrigerator and freezer must go. These include leftover milk, fruits and veggies. Non-perishables, such as canned goods, pasta and rice, can easily be packed for the move. However, if you’re looking to save room, I recommend donating the majority of your non-perishables to a local food bank, or hiring a moving company partner of Move For Hunger , an organization that will donate the leftover food for you.

Unused children’s toys – Is your house overflowing with children’s toys? From LEGO sets and barbies to stuffed animals and Hot Wheels, your kid’s toys can take over your house before you know it. If your child has outgrown a toy or no longer plays with it, I suggest donating excess toys to a local charity or church group. These groups can put toys in the hands of a family in need. You can also give them away on Freecycle or Craigslist .

Out of date electronics – In today’s plugged-in world, we’re all guilty of owning one too many unused electronics. From out-of-date iPads and iPhones to old chargers and laptops, there’s no telling what you’ll find stuffed inside someone’s cabinets. So before you move, assess each of your electronics to determine whether: the item is properly working; the item is up-to-date; the item is something you need in your new home. If your electronics are less than five years old and still in good working order, you may be able to donate them to a non-profit organization, such as Habitat for Humanity .

Old bath products – From empty shampoo bottles to 5-year-old hand lotions, it’s time to let go of all of your old bath products. I recommend trashing anything expired or you no longer use. Don’t forget to take a look at your old makeup items, soaps and washcloths as well.

Old furniture – Whether you’re downsizing or taking a minimal approach, you’ll need to kick your unused furnishings to the curb. To avoid having your new home junked up with old couches, chairs and desks, I strongly encourage you to either store, sell or give away unnecessary furniture. Look into having your local Habitat for Humanity pick up the furniture from your house, or try hosting a garage sale to sell belongings still in good condition.

Once you’ve properly disposed of all of your unused, out-of-date and unnecessary belongings, you’ll need to start planning for the actual relocation itself. For help finding the right movers for the job, check out Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers – all licensed and insured. Good luck and happy moving!