Moving? Here Are The Best Ways to Get Rid of Junk

Do you know you probably have over 300,000 items in your home? Actually, moving gives you the perfect chance to look at your things and see what matters to you quite a bit. You can even clear out clutter to save time and cut your stress levels and it can make moving much easier.

Often, get rid of those things you don’t need to start fresh in your new home and you will feel better emotionally!

When you are ready to jump in, let’s start!

Ask Yourself What You Really Need

You need to take an honest look at your things before you move. Maybe ask yourself what you really need and what you actually can let go of. Always keep fewer things to make packing and unpacking easier for you. Living simply can cut down on stress, help with your productivity, and save you some money! Ever heard of the one-year rule? If an item hasn’t been used in a year, you likely don’t need it anymore.

Let’s talk about the benefits of living with fewer possessions. Actually, research shows fewer possessions can make you feel better and think more. Believe it or not, if you have fewer things around, it helps you start with the important things. Plus, you really save cash by not buying unnecessary items.

Picture packing your whole house without the pressure, too. Sometimes starting fresh without excess things feels freeing. Usually, fewer boxes mean fewer headaches for you. Packing gets less of a chore and more of a chance for you to say goodbye to items that no longer help you.

Sentimental things are nice, but you have to ask yourself if they’re worth moving. Have you ever found some forgotten items in the back of a closet like I have? I had an old stereo from college that I hadn’t used in years – letting it go was hard, but what a relief it was to have one less heavy thing to carry. I haven’t used it in years and it just wasn’t the same anymore. You definitely need to be honest with yourself about all your things.

Remember to be ruthless about broken, damaged, and useless items. If something is just collecting dust, ask: Will I ever use this again? Sometimes the answer is no. Are you holding on to things just in case? That type of thinking fills your home with clutter.

Think sometimes about the cost of moving versus replacing things. For example, some items are so cheap to replace that packing them makes no sense for you at all. Most people keep items that are in good shape and can be used or sold. Donate or recycle what’s not needed. You’ll reduce waste and give others a chance to use what you don’t need.

Finally, you should deal with hazardous waste the right way. Not everything can be donated or recycled – items like old paint and broken electronics should go to facilities. Maybe you want to stay safe while decluttering by taking care of these things the right way.

Go Room by Room for Junk

Go through one room at a time to make decluttering easier. Next, start with one area then move to the next so you don’t get overwhelmed. You should start in your attic or basement where clutter piles up fast. Well, empty the space completely. You will see everything and then sort it without any issues.

Most people divide everything into four piles: keep, donate, sell, and toss. Found multiple can openers in your kitchen? That’s really inefficient! You should keep items you use or treasure. Donate things in good shape but not needed. Often sell helpful things and toss the broken or useless.

Start early, best before listing your home. Spend an hour or two planning and two to three hours per room. Always clear out closets by removing clothes not worn in a year. Wow, see how much space you save? You might donate or toss these items to free up more room.

Often clear storage areas with old boxes. Found childhood toys you forgot about? Toss them if they’re only taking up space. Don’t forget to purge large and unwanted items you don’t use – like old furniture.

I recommend calling a junk removal service to save time and effort. They can faster haul away unwanted items – a lifesaver when you’re short on time. Get rid of items left by previous owners too.

Always schedule a junk removal appointment for your new home. Start fresh without clutter – it sets a pleasant tone for your move. You might use a moving guide to stay organized. Check off each step – watch how manageable it feels.

Make a plan for a stress-free move. I recommend you hire a junk removal service to lighten your load. Move and feel less stressed by ditching unnecessary things first.

How Do You Dispose of It?

Need to clear out junk while moving Let’s study your best options. First, visit your local recycling centers for some help. You’ll be surprised at how many items you can recycle like cardboard boxes and metal cans. Always clean out those food containers first because keeping things clean helps everything run smoother and believe me.

So drop off donations to let your gently worn clothes and shoes find new homes. Some stores even recycle garments and footwear for free. Doesn’t it feel nice knowing your old things help someone else?

Sometimes got large items? Try some junk removal services. Let them do the heavy lifting. You just point and they haul it away. It’s super convenient! Definitely saves you lots of time and effort.

If you care about the environment, dispose of your electronic waste the right way. A lot of stores and manufacturers give you recycling options for things like computers or cell phones. Always check with local facilities for the best e-waste disposal options. It keeps toxic parts out of landfills and helps recover helpful resources win-win!

Never forget to dispose of hazardous waste with extra care. Use your household hazardous waste collection programs to handle harmful chemicals safely. It may seem like a bit of trouble but reducing environmental harm is worth it! Check with local agencies to find collection programs near your area.

Explore some alternative disposal methods and get together a yard sale to offload reusable items. Plus, you make some extra cash. Use online marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to sell or give away items. It’s pretty interesting how fast things get picked up when you know where to post them!

You might engage your community and add some recycling bins to public areas to make recycling easier for everyone. Teach good recycling habits to your kids for lifelong environmental responsibility. Often join community recycling clubs to welcome collective action and set local recycling goals!

So, talk about these disposal options and see which fit your needs best. Each has benefits if you’re looking to sell, donate, recycle, and just get rid of large items too.

What About Emotional Attachments?

Let go of your sentimental items to free up space. You might find yourself staring at a box of old mementos and thinking about the memories – and emotions and memories with those items. Try to take some photos of those objects before you get rid of them. This way you keep the memory and cut down a bit on clutter. A photo can remind you just as well as the item itself but without the trouble of storage!

When you create a memory box you’ll see the difference. You should pick a small space for your treasured items. Maybe think of it as your “greatest hits” album for sentimental items.

You might want to ask yourself some questions about the item’s importance. Does it make you happy or spark fond memories? Do you have the space to display it, and would someone else like it more? These questions help lead your choices and make things easier.

Try to stop feeling “gift guilt” when you let go of something, too. Don’t feel guilty about getting rid of a gift! Simply honor the sentiment there and not the physical object. Would the giver want you to keep something you don’t need or use? No!

Always handle family heirlooms with a bit of care – keep the most cherished things and give the rest to other family members. If space is tight, photos can be a fitting middle ground. I highly recommend you repurpose items to fit them better into your latest life too.

It’s helpful to understand why you hold onto things. Emotional ties to objects link to memories and people. It’s okay to feel attached sometimes. Simply acknowledge these feelings and look at each item’s true worth.

I think you should ease into the process with some small steps. Start with less sentimental items. Maybe try the ” KonMari ” strategy. It focuses on what really matters. Selling or donating unused items can bring a lot of relief and satisfaction to you.

You might want to ask yourself helpful questions about each item. When did you last use it and how often do you use it? Can you get the information elsewhere? Would you buy it again? These questions make it easier for you to choose if an item should stay or go.

Donating Items to Charity

Donating unwanted items when you move can feel rewarding. You don’t just declutter – you make a real difference. Always look into local charities, shelters, and online places to donate your things. You help those in need and even might get tax deductions! So where should you start?

To begin, choose local charities first. Try to give your things to groups like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity. These groups take items like furniture, clothing, and household goods. Imagine your old couch furnishing someone’s home – letting go of it feels a bit easier then. Plus, you might get a tax deduction and that’s a nice bonus.

Then head to homeless shelters next. They need clothing, shoes, and other basics. Often, domestic violence shelters welcome professional clothes to help people restart their lives. Maybe think about your old blazer helping someone get a job. If you have towels or sheets, give them to animal shelters – they always need things for bedding and cleanup, which makes a big difference for our furry friends.

Also, give to food banks too. They take non-perishable food and sometimes pet food. It’s surprising how a few extra cans and unopened boxes in your pantry can feed a family or someone’s pet.

Next, use online places like Planet Help and Green Drop to give clothing and other items.

Additionally, join local online groups like Buy Nothing groups or Facebook community groups. They give you a personal touch. Help neighbors who need your things directly! That creates a sense of community while ensuring things you don’t need get used by someone who does.

I recommend going to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores for bigger items. Give your furniture and household goods there. It’s inspiring to see how your old dining table can help build a home for someone.

Finally, think about special groups. Dress for Success takes professional clothes. That can help low-income working women. One Warm Coat gives coats and warm clothing to those in need. Bras can find a second life through Free the Girls. These can help women globally. But each donation tells a story – the potential new owner might like it even more.

Get Help from Friends or Family

Invite your friends and family over. Suddenly the whole junk removal process gets quicker and way more fun. You can change a tedious chore into a fun decluttering party which turns an unexciting job into a social event. You get more done and spend quality time with the people you care about. Maybe bringing in someone else’s point of view just helps when you make those tough choices.

So why not host a declutter party Often watch how motivated everyone gets – it’s almost like a mini-competition to see who can clear out the most junk the fastest. Having those extra pairs of hands really speeds things up. Suddenly your mountain of clothes and old devices doesn’t look so scary! Who knew that organizing could be this much fun?

Remember to give them something in return for their help. Maybe an easy meal or promising to help them with future projects can make a difference. Just sharing a meal afterward is the perfect way to end a productive day.

Always enjoy the bonding opportunities that decluttering brings. Sometimes you can share stories about old things and laugh at the silly things you kept. Maybe even find some hidden treasures! These moments often strengthen your relationships and create long-term memories. If you remember over old photo albums or find a long-lost book, it’s surprising how connected you can feel during the process.

Don’t forget to get that outsider perspective to help make tough calls. Often let your friends or family give you objective advice and help you see your things in a new light. Sometimes you attach to things without realizing it. You might find that your friend’s eyes are the push you need to smooth along your possessions.

Always return the favor to show appreciation – and offer to help others declutter when they need it! This kind of evens out the balance and also spreads a collaborative spirit. Maybe the next time your friend feels overwhelmed by clutter, you’ll be there to help. When it comes full circle, you’ll be happy to have started the cycle of support!

Don’t Do It All At Once

My advice is to always start small. Are you ready to kick off your decluttering process by washing your dishes and throwing away trash every morning and evening? Doing this can set the tone for your entire day and night. Plus, a clean sink and countertops can really help with your spirits!

Most people suggest using a timer. Spend 10 to 15 minutes to start with just one drawer. It’s surprising how much progress you can make in a short span. This strategy makes the job feel a bit less scary, and who really can’t find 10 spare minutes?

Remember to stay focused. Try to finish getting together one drawer before moving to the next. This helps you keep your momentum and stops your space from becoming a bigger mess. Seeing that completely organized drawer will make you feel pretty good!

If you ask me, you should start in the kitchen. Sometimes seen as the heart of the home, the kitchen has a huge sense of achievement when it’s organized. Starting here can smooth the path for tackling other rooms. But every small success counts!

I recommend you talk positively. Swap out negative self-talk for positive affirmations. Instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” tell yourself “I’m making progress.” This little change can shift your mindset and keep you really motivated. Progress not perfection – right?

Act now. I think you should stick to one small action each day and trigger a ripple effect to cause a really changed home. Maybe today you clean out the junk drawer and tomorrow address that pile of magazines. These actions really add up over time.

Want to purge clutter Get rid of enough things so everything you keep has a designated place. You won’t believe the difference it makes until you see it.

Most people know that just putting things into bins doesn’t start with the real issues of collecting or not being able to let go. Start with the root problem to ensure long-term results. Smooth along your life – don’t just hide things behind closed doors.

You always hear that the hardest part is to start, and it’s true. But once you get going, each small step makes the next one easier. I’ve seen that small easy goals keep your momentum up. Clutter-free spaces can lead to a clutter-free mind! Ready to start this process? Take it one step at a time.

In Over Your Head? Get Help From The Pros

You began this process to smooth along your space. It’s about removing physical items. Interestingly, it’s also about making mental and emotional room for you. Each item you let go of brings you closer to a calm and focused life. Sure, saying goodbye to your things can be really hard but memories live in you, and they’re always there without the clutter.

Have you found out about your attachment to things during this process? Perhaps you’ve realized you keep a lot of things out of habit and not because you actually need them. Many people feel lighter with each item you give away if you donate, recycle, or, for example, throw it out. Trust yourself to make these choices knowing you’re making your space work better for you.

As you start or finish this decluttering process, you should begin to think about how a little extra help can really change everything. You should meet JunkRelief. We’re a Chicago-based junk removal company with almost 20 years of experience. Our fast and friendly service is why you can rely on us.

Whether it’s household clutter or industrial waste, we handle it all with a start with convenience. Our green disposal practices mean we recycle and donate when we can and keep our community clean and green.

You can book online or give us a call today and let our experts do the heavy lifting with same-day service you can count on!