Decluttering Before a Move: What to Throw Away First (Save Time, Money & Stress)

Moving is the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button—but packing everything you own without decluttering first is one of the biggest (and most expensive) mistakes homeowners make. The more junk you move, the more you pay in moving costs, labor, truck space, and time. If you’re planning a move soon, here’s exactly what to throw away first when decluttering before a move to make the process faster, cheaper, and stress-free.

1. Broken, Damaged, or Outdated Items

If it’s broken and hasn’t been fixed yet, it’s not worth moving. Old lamps, cracked furniture, torn mattresses, malfunctioning appliances, and damaged décor should go first. These items take up valuable space and often cost more to move than they’re worth replacing.

2. Clothes You Haven’t Worn in Over a Year

If it didn’t make the rotation last season, it likely won’t in the next house either. Donate gently used clothing and toss stained, ripped, or worn-out items. This instantly frees up closets and reduces the number of boxes you’ll need.

3. Expired Household Products

Old cleaning supplies, expired food, medicine, makeup, and paint should never be packed for a move. These items can leak, cause safety hazards, and violate moving company transport policies.

4. Old Paperwork & Junk Drawers

Shred outdated bills, manuals, school papers, and random clutter that’s been sitting in drawers for years. Digitize what you truly need and eliminate the rest.

5. Bulky Furniture You Won’t Use Again

If your new space is smaller—or if your style has changed—now is the time to get rid of oversized couches, broken dressers, entertainment centers, and bed frames. These items dramatically increase moving costs.

6. Garage, Attic & Storage Unit Junk

This is where most hidden clutter lives. Old holiday decorations, scrap wood, broken lawn equipment, outdated electronics, and forgotten boxes should be sorted early so they don’t sneak into your moving truck.

Why Decluttering Before a Move Matters

Decluttering before moving:

• Lowers moving costs

• Reduces packing time

• Prevents unnecessary storage fees

• Makes unpacking faster

• Eliminates stress at your new home

Most people are shocked by how much junk they’ve been holding onto once they start sorting.

Final Tip: Don’t Try to Handle Heavy Junk Alone

Large furniture, old appliances, mattresses, and garage cleanouts are where most DIY decluttering projects stall out. Professional junk removal helps you clear everything in hours—not weeks—so your move stays on schedule.