5 things to give up before you move

Unless you’re a ruthless de-clutterer, there’s a reasonable chance you share your home with a bunch of not-entirely-necessary items. Correct?

Moving house can feel exciting, overwhelming and everything in between — which makes it the perfect moment to reset.

Letting go of what you no longer need before moving day can save time, money and a whole lot of stress once you arrive.

Moving to a new home is the perfect time to get rid of things you don’t need, but make sure you get it done before moving day arrives.

Home organising and de-cluttering expert Chelsea Smith reveals which items you should definitely sort through and leave behind before moving into your fresh new home.

1. Old linen

“Linen is one of those things that is easy to accumulate over the years,” Chelsea explains.

“Over time it does get quite tatty and wears a bit thin, towels become less absorbent and tea towels can become quite stained. Do a stocktake of what you’ve got and only keep the pieces you need.

“For instance, if you have four people under your roof, you may only need eight towels and that would probably do you for guests as well.”

Chelsea adds that you might be able to donate old sheets or towels to vet clinics and animal shelters, where they are often looking for rags or towels.

2. Unnecessary furniture

We often buy furniture for the house we’re currently in, so when we move we find some pieces no longer suit the style of the new home — or may not even serve a purpose.

“For instance, if you have more built-in storage in the new place, a free-standing chest of drawers might not be necessary,” Chelsea says.

“The goal is to move as few bulky furniture items as possible. So, rather than working it out once you get there, have a clear vision of where the furniture is going to go in the new home and what its function will be.”

On the flip side, if you’re getting rid of old furniture – you may want to replace it with new and more suitable items.

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And when it comes to what you’re leaving behind, think about how it could be useful to someone else.

Consider donating the furniture you no longer need to charities or shelters, or try to sell them or give them away on Facebook Marketplace.

3. Household chemicals

Flammable household chemicals can be a hazard to transport, Chelsea points out. For this reason, they are also refused by many movers who won’t take on the associated risks.

“Even open pots of paint or harsh chemical cleaning products, [movers] will just say no,” Chelsea says. “Your best bet is to dispose of them responsibly before the big day.

“They’re not supposed to go into your regular (rubbish bin), but there are ways to recycle or get rid of them mindfully through household chemical clean-ups or designated chemical drop-off points.”

Taking care of this ahead of time also makes packing day safer and smoother — one less thing to worry about.

4. Hoarded toiletries

As with the kitchen pantry, the bathroom cabinet can become a product-hoarding ground. Make some time to go through your medicines and First Aid, cosmetics and skincare, and throw out any items that are out of date or unwanted.