10 Things to Get Rid of Before Moving

Moving to a new home or apartment is a good opportunity to take a closer look at your belongings. Over the years, it is easy to accumulate clothes, old furniture, kitchen supplies, and items nobody uses anymore. When it is time to pack, you may realize just how much space these things take up.

Moving everything simply because you already own it is not always practical. Some items are better sold, donated, recycled, or replaced after the move. Reducing unnecessary belongings can mean fewer boxes to pack, fewer items to load, and less to unpack in your new home.

Here are 10 categories to review before moving day.

1. Old Furniture You Have Been Meaning to Replace

A broken chair, sagging mattress, wobbly table, or dresser with damaged drawers can stay in your home for years simply because replacing it keeps getting postponed.

Before moving, assess the condition of each piece and consider whether it is worth keeping. If furniture is damaged, uncomfortable, or unsuitable for your new space, getting rid of it beforehand may be the more practical choice.

However, do not automatically discard all your old furniture. A well-made piece that fits your new home may be more economical to move than to replace.

2. Clothes and Shoes You No Longer Wear

Closets often contain more than we realize. You may have clothes that no longer fit, shoes that are uncomfortable, or items you have not worn in several seasons.

Sort them into three groups: keep, sell or donate, and discard. Clothing and shoes in good condition may be suitable for donation to local organizations that accept them.

You do not have to sort through your entire wardrobe in one evening. Start with seasonal clothing, footwear, and items you know you no longer need.

3. Expired Food and Pantry Items

Before moving, check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Sauces, spices, grains, canned goods, and frozen foods can accumulate over months or even years.

Use what you can safely consume before moving day and discard expired products. Open packages that may spill or leak during transportation are usually not worth packing.

If you are moving a short distance, some sealed food items may be worth taking with you. Make sure they are safe to consume and suitable for transportation.

4. Duplicate Kitchen Supplies

Extra can openers, unused mugs, food containers without lids, and kitchen gadgets that rarely leave the cupboard take up space in moving boxes.

Keep the items you actually use and enough dishes for your household. The rest can be sold, given away, or donated if they are clean and in usable condition.

The goal is not to get rid of everything to reduce the number of boxes. It is to avoid packing items that no longer serve a purpose.

5. Broken Electronics and Unused Devices

Old phones, broken printers, damaged cables, and electronics you no longer use can sit in drawers for years.

Decide which devices are worth keeping. Working electronics can often be sold or passed on to someone else. Items that cannot be reused should be taken to an appropriate electronics recycling facility rather than thrown into regular household trash.

Before donating or recycling a device, remove your personal data and make sure you have saved any files you need.

6. Books, Documents, and Paper Records

Books can be surprisingly heavy, and several full boxes can add considerable weight to a move. Review your collection and keep the books you value or expect to read again.

Books in good condition may be sold, given away, or donated to organizations that accept them. Check donation requirements before making a trip.

Be more careful with documents. Do not discard tax records, contracts, medical paperwork, or other important documents until you have confirmed that you no longer need them. Documents containing confidential information should be securely destroyed.

7. Old Decorations That Will Not Suit Your New Home

Vases, picture frames, artificial plants, decorative pillows, and seasonal decorations can take up considerable space, especially when you have accumulated them over time.

Before packing, consider whether you want to use these items in your new home. If a piece has no particular value to you and does not suit your new space, it may not be worth moving.

Personal keepsakes are different. Family photographs, souvenirs, and sentimental objects deserve individual consideration rather than being treated like ordinary decorations.

8. Unfinished Projects and Hobby Supplies

Craft materials, sports equipment, tools, and supplies for different hobbies can fill entire closets. Some may have been purchased for projects that were never completed.

Review what you genuinely use. If a hobby is no longer part of your routine, usable supplies may be sold or passed on to someone who can enjoy them.

If you still regularly pursue the hobby, keep the equipment you need. There is no reason to discard useful belongings simply because they need to be moved.

9. Open Cleaning Products and Hazardous Materials

Cleaning products, paint, solvents, aerosols, and other chemicals need special attention before moving. Some can leak, damage other belongings, or be subject to transportation restrictions.

Do not pack these materials together with clothing, dishes, or ordinary household items. Check product labels, transportation guidance, and the policies of your moving company.

Unwanted chemicals should not simply be poured down the drain or placed in regular trash without checking local disposal requirements. In Chicago, the appropriate disposal method depends on the type of material and the available household hazardous waste programs.

10. Items That May Cost More to Move Than to Replace

Sometimes an item is still functional but may not be worth taking to your new home. This could include an inexpensive, worn piece of furniture or a bulky item that does not fit your new space.

Compare the cost of replacing the item with its condition, usefulness, and the effort involved in preparing and transporting it. Consider quality, size, and how much you rely on it rather than looking at the original purchase price alone.

Avoid making this decision based solely on the cost of moving one item. If several belongings are involved, compare the overall replacement cost with the practical cost of moving them.

How to Decide What to Keep and What to Leave Behind

Before packing, ask yourself four questions:

• Have I used this item in the past year, or do I have a specific reason to keep it?
• Will it fit and serve a purpose in my new home?
• Is it worth the effort and expense of packing and transporting it?
• Can I reasonably sell, donate, recycle, or dispose of it before moving?

If an item is broken, duplicates something you already own, or will not work in your new space, consider dealing with it before you start packing.

Start sorting early rather than waiting until moving day. This gives you time to sell furniture, arrange donations, or find the appropriate disposal option.

How Decluttering Can Make Your Move Easier

The fewer unnecessary belongings you have, the easier it is to estimate how many boxes you need, organize loading, and plan where everything will go in your new home.

If you are planning a move in Chicago, FairPlay Moving's residential moving services can help transport your household belongings, furniture, and boxes. Before scheduling your move, make a list of the furniture and boxes you plan to take and mention any large or heavy items that may require special handling.

Decluttering does not eliminate the need to pack and transport your remaining belongings properly, but it can make the overall process more organized.

Final Thoughts

Moving is a convenient opportunity to let go of belongings that no longer serve you. Start with damaged furniture, unused clothing, duplicate household items, and accumulated supplies. Items in good condition can be sold or donated, while electronics and hazardous materials should be disposed of appropriately.

You do not need to throw away as much as possible. The goal is to bring what you genuinely need into your new home and avoid spending time and resources moving things you have stopped using.