Here’s How to Get Rid of Your Stuff Before a Move

Lighten your load before moving by dejunking and decluttering your current property. Not only does eliminating unused belongings make it easier to pack and cheaper to move, but it also prevents you from starting off on the wrong foot in your new home. After all, a new home provides a clean slate – one that doesn’t involve a mountain of unwanted junk. Want to know how to get rid of stuff before the move? Thanks to a number of mobile apps, digital marketplaces and junk removal services, there are more ways than ever to eliminate belongings before a move. Here are several smart solutions for getting rid of excess and unwanted clothing, electronics, and furniture.

How to get rid of stuff before a move

Want to donate or sell gently-used clothing, electronics or furniture? Here are few ways to get rid of your belongings.

Clothing

  • ThredUp – This fashion resale website offers an easy way for consumers to buy and sell secondhand clothing online. All you have to do is request a clean out bag from the company. After receiving the bag in the mail, simply fill it up with your unwanted clothing, shoes and accessories and drop it at the post office. Once ThredUp receives your bag, the company will list your accepted items for sale on their website. You’ll receive consignment earnings for all items sold.
  • Tradesy – Looking to sell your high-end clothing before moving? Tradesy’s online peer-to-peer resale marketplace makes it possible. Customers can buy and sell luxury and designer clothing, shoes and accessories through the website. All you have to do is list your item for sale. Once it sells, Tradesy will provide a pre-paid, pre-addressed shipping kit for you.
  • Poshmark – Similar to Tradesy, Poshmark is a leading online marketplace for customers looking to buy and sell new or used clothing, shoes and accessories. All you have to do is upload a photo of the item, list it on the website and share the listing with shoppers. Once it sells, Poshmark provides a pre-paid shipping label for you to ship the item to the buyer.
  • Local consignment store – If mobile apps and online marketplaces aren’t your thing, simply drop your clothes at a nearby, brick-and-mortar consignment store. These stores handle everything from pricing your item to selling it, saving you the hassle and headache. Just keep in mind that most consigners take a percentage of the final sale.
  • Donation options – From Goodwill and Salvation Army to Dress for Success and Planet Aid, there are plenty of charities and organizations that accept gently-used clothing. Read our more detailed list of donation centers to consider when donating your garments before a move.

Electronics

  • Gazelle – Gazelle is a leading online marketplace for buying and selling pre-owned consumer electronics. The company purchases used smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops. From there, Gazelle inspects, certifies and sells them to consumers looking for used and cost-efficient gadgets.
  • Amazon – Customers looking to get rid of used electronics have the option to either sell their items on Amazon or take advantage of Amazon’s Trade-In Program, where customers can trade electronics items in exchange for Amazon gift cards. Keep in mind that when selling through Amazon’s individual plan, the company does collect a small fee.
  • Decluttr – Decluttr’s website makes it easy to sell phones, tablets, games, DVDs CDs and other tech gadgets online. All you have to do is get a free valuation online and ship the item to Decluttr using a free shipping label. Once its received, the team at Decluttr will check the item to make sure it’s in good working order. If it is, they’ll remove your personal data and pay you the next day for your used gadget.
  • eBay – eBay makes it possible to sell all sort of items including used phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, video equipment, drones, wearables and other gadgets. All you have to do is create a listing for your item. Once it sells, you can ship the items to buyers using eBay’s ready-made shipping label.
  • BuyBackWorld – Customers can sell used electronics including smartphones and tablets for cash with BuyBackWorld’s large online trade in program. All you have to do is obtain a price quote, request a free shipping kit and drop your packed electronic device at the post office. Once BuyBackWorld receives your kit, the company will check its condition and make a payment within two business days.
  • Donation options – Prefer to donate your used electronics as opposed to selling them? From Goodwill and Human-I-T to Computers with Causes and ZealousGood, here’s where to donate all of your gadget before moving.

Furniture and other household items

  • Facebook Marketplace –Looking for an easy way to sell furniture online? Try Facebook Marketplace, a social media platform for buying and selling items. All you have to do is upload a photo of the item along with a description to create a public listing.
  • Letgo – One of the most popular ways to sell household goods including furniture is through the mobile app, LetGo. The free, easy-to-use classifieds app allows you to buy and sell items locally. It also lets you chat privately and instantly with potential buyers in your area.
  • OfferUp – Download the OfferUp app to buy and sell belongings right from your smartphone. To sell your furniture item, simply post a photo and description of its condition. Set a price and wait for potential buyers to contact you on the app. Buyers are rated on OfferUp, so you’ll have some idea of who you’re dealing with before meeting with anyone.
  • Nextdoor.com – Join your local Nextdoor.com group to list and advertise furniture items for sale. The free and easy-to-use private social networking group allows neighbors to communicate and interact with each other online. Once you’ve signed up, you can list your furniture item under the Classifieds category.
  • Donation options – Selling furniture can be a pain – especially if it involves shipping it to the buyer. For an easier way to get rid of furniture, consider scheduling a donation pick-up from a local charity. Here’s a list of where to donate your furniture before moving.

Junk Removal Services

Perhaps your furniture is in terrible condition or maybe your old clothes are simply irredeemable. Whatever the case, you may not be able to donate or sell your belongings. In this case, we recommend using one of these four junk removal services before moving.

Not quite ready to get rid of your stuff?

Sometimes you’re just not quite ready to say goodbye to those useless yet sentimental items. Fortunately, you always have the option to place your belongings in storage before, during or after a move. To find self-storage in your area, use Moving.com’s Storage Center. Just type in the zip code or your city and state of residence and click the ‘find storage’ button. Moving.com will pull quotes from the closest storage unit facilities near your new home to compare.

Ready to move?

So you’ve purged those unnecessary belongings and started packing. Now it’s time to find a moving company to help with the heavy lifting. Fortunately, those in need of moving day assistance can find a reliable moving company through Moving.com’s extensive network of movers. Our website makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.