Moving offers the perfect opportunity to de-clutter your home and start fresh with your belongings. Clutter is a significant issue in many American homes, with 1 in 4 people admitting to having a clutter problem, likely due to the average 300,000 items we keep in our homes.
Research conducted for The Huffington Post revealed that clutter is a major stress point for 55% of people. It consumes valuable space and becomes a real problem during a move.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to de-clutter your home and make your move smoother. Selling and donating are great options, but some items must be disposed of before moving.
Call JW Cole & Sons of Florida Inc. at 239-694-3400 or complete our online form to request pricing.
Items You Should Throw Away Before Moving
1. Foods
Moving trucks are not ideal for perishable food, as they often lack the necessary temperature and humidity controls. JW Cole & Sons of Florida Inc. does not transport perishable food, including frozen, refrigerated, and open food products.
These items cannot typically be donated, so it is best to use them before moving. Meal planning can minimize waste and ensure you have food in the days leading up to your move. Any remaining perishables should be thrown away or composted.
Limited exceptions exist if the items are properly packed, require no servicing in transit, will travel fewer than 150 miles, will be delivered within 24 hours of pickup, and your local mover agrees to carry them.
2. Plants
Houseplants face similar issues in transit as perishable food. Lack of sunlight, ventilation, or water in moving trucks poses a threat. Consider moving plants in your car or giving away large plants to friends or neighbors.
3. Old Medications
Transport your current medications yourself to avoid delays or complications. Moving is a great opportunity to clean your medicine cabinet and properly dispose of old or expired medication. Options include drop-off locations at many Walgreens or following the FDA’s guide for do-it-yourself disposal.
4. Paint, Gasoline, and Other Non-Allowable
Some items are too dangerous to transport in a moving truck due to the risks they pose. JW Cole & Sons of Florida Inc. categorizes these as non-allowable items. These include anything flammable, pressurized, explosive, corrosive, or otherwise dangerous.
Dispose of these items safely before your move. If you cannot give them away, carefully read the product label for disposal instructions or contact your local health department.
How to Purge Your Belongings Before a Move
1. Get Organized
Categorize your belongings into piles: items to keep, sell, or recycle. This helps you decide what you want and don’t need, making the de-cluttering process more enjoyable.
2. Ditch the Unused
Team up with a friend or family member to determine what gets used and what doesn’t. Items to toss may include ill-fitting clothes, old towels, unused plastic containers, broken electronics, and anything you have multiple copies of.
3. Take Your Time
Start the purging process at least a few weeks before the move. This allows you to sort and categorize items, making it easier to decide what you can live without.
4. Hold a Moving Sale
A yard sale can help you eliminate extra items and make money. Advertise in advance to attract buyers and increase the chances of selling more items.
5. Sell Items Online
Use websites like Facebook Marketplace to sell large items you don’t want to transport. Ensure safety by meeting buyers in public places and accepting only cash or verified online payments.
6. Leave Items with the House
See if the new owners would like any large pieces of furniture you don’t want to move. This can save you the hassle of finding new homes for these items.
7. Donate to Charity
Secondhand stores and charitable organizations often appreciate household item donations. Research opportunities near you to see where you can donate.
8. Give it Away
Offer items to friends and family. Most people will take free items, and loved ones might need furniture and bakeware, especially if they have recently graduated or are starting a family.
Post-Move Home Organization
Clutter can accumulate quickly, making it difficult to find essential items. Here are some home organization tips to help you set your house in order from move-in day forward.
1. Make a Focused Move-In Plan
Start with essentials like clothes, toiletries, and kitchen utensils. Create a livable space for the first few days, and then gradually unpack the less frequently used items.
2. Sketch Out Plans
Plan where to place furniture, appliances, and other heavy items to minimize work and prevent unnecessary moving back and forth.
3. Get Help
Ask friends and family for assistance moving a few pieces of furniture or setting up an entertainment center. Offer a sign of appreciation, like a takeout dinner, once the work is done.
Using Extra Space in Your New Home
Maximize your new home’s extra space with these ideas:
1. Storage and Access
Consider dedicating a room to storage to keep other areas clutter-free.
2. A Home Gym
Create a home gym in the basement, garage, or a small area. Use protective floor mats and plan the space around available equipment.
3. A Game Room
Set up a dedicated game room for board games or video games to keep other areas of the home uncluttered.
4. A Home Workshop
Use a basement or garage for a workshop. This space can accommodate tools, work surfaces, and project materials.
Post-Move Home Decoration
Decorating is essential to injecting personality into your new home. Here are some tips to decorate like a pro:
1. Simplify
Keep a minimalist style to make meaningful objects stand out and allow flexibility in décor changes.
2. Don't Delay
Take care of labor-intensive improvements before setting up your space.
3. Incorporate Feng Shui
Use Feng Shui principles to harmonize your surroundings. Avoid placing furniture against walls, experiment with colors, de-clutter, and make small changes like adding plants or creating a centerpiece.
Professional Packers in Fort Myers, FL
Explore professional packing and unpacking services with JW Cole & Sons of Florida Inc. for a stress-free moving experience. With over 35 years in the industry, we offer unmatched professionalism, reliability, and exceptional customer service for every move. Our experienced team meticulously handles all aspects of your relocation, ensuring your belongings are securely packed, transported, and unpacked to your new home. Additionally, we provide packing supplies. As a partner of Atlas Van Lines, we guarantee precise and expert management of your local move. Discover the difference with JW Cole & Sons of Florida Inc. today!
Reach out to us at 239-694-3400 or complete our convenient online form.
