Quick Strategies for Decluttering Before a Residential Move

This content has been reviewed by the National Van Lines Team

Introduction:

The days leading up to a move can evoke a mix of excitement and nervousness. Amidst organizing for relocation and managing home showings for prospective buyers, maintaining a clutter-free and inviting space is essential. National Van Lines offers expert tips to streamline your move while keeping your home appealing and functional. Check out the following ‘How to Guide’ for decluttering your home.

Section 1: Preparing Your Home for Showings

1. Organize Your Closets: Store away clothes not immediately needed to showcase spacious closets to potential buyers, signaling readiness for a swift move.
2. Maximize Kitchen Space: Utilize cabinets to store non-perishable items, ensuring clear kitchen counters and enhancing the overall appeal of your home.
3. Use Up Perishables: Host a gathering to consume items like propane and perishable foods, ensuring a clean and clutter-free environment for home showings.
4. Centralize Box Storage: Keep boxes in a central location to minimize clutter in individual rooms, facilitating easy navigation for potential buyers.
5. Sell or Donate Unneeded Items: Hold a garage sale or donate items to declutter and potentially offset moving expenses, making your home more appealing to buyers.

Section 2: Decluttering Strategies for a Smooth Transition

1. Family Discussion: Gather the family to discuss moving plans and encourage them to assess possessions, deciding what to keep, donate, or discard well in advance.
2. Plan Declutter Day: Mark a date for decluttering, arranging for disposal or donation of items not making the move, ensuring a streamlined process.
3. Appeal to Community: Encourage family members to part with sentimental items by suggesting they gift them to friends or family, fostering a sense of community.
4. Focus on Replacement: Highlight the excitement of buying replacements in the new city to ease the emotional attachment to certain items.
5. Give Until it Hurts: Encourage giving away more than initially comfortable to prevent packing unnecessary items, ensuring a lighter load on moving day.

Section 3: Room-by- Room Decluttering

Maintaining a clean and organized home can be a daunting task, but breaking it down room by room can make the process more manageable and efficient. In this Cleaning By Room Guide, we’ll explore a detailed cleaning checklist for key areas of your home to ensure that every nook and cranny is sparkling clean.

Kitchen:

• Wipe down countertops and appliances: Use a gentle cleaner to remove any grease or residue from countertops, stovetops, and appliances.
• Clean out the refrigerator and freezer: Toss expired items, wipe down shelves, and disinfect the interior to keep your food storage areas fresh.
• Sanitize cutting boards and utensils: Use a food-safe disinfectant to ensure a bacteria-free food preparation environment.
• Scrub sink and faucets: Remove stains and soap scum from the sink and faucets for a shiny and sanitary kitchen space
• Empty and clean the trash can: Disinfect the trash can and replace the bag to eliminate odors and prevent bacterial growth.

Living Room:

• Begin by dusting all surfaces, such as tables, shelves, and entertainment centers. Afterward, polish them to restore their shine.
• Next, vacuum upholstery and clean under cushions: Remove dirt and debris from upholstery, and don’t forget to vacuum under cushions for a thorough clean.
• Clean electronics and entertainment units: Wipe down TV screens, gaming consoles, and any other electronic devices, ensuring a dust-free and functional entertainment area.
• Wash curtains or blinds: Follow care instructions to launder curtains or wipe down blinds, eliminating dust and allergens.
• Declutter and organize shelves: Tidy up shelves by removing unnecessary items and organizing books or decorative items for a neater appearance.

Bedrooms:

• Start by washing bedding and pillowcases: Launder sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers for a fresh and inviting sleep environment. Plus, they should be done drying and ready to go when your done!
• Then, rotate and flip mattresses: Extend the lifespan of your mattress by regularly rotating and flipping it.
• Vacuum carpets and clean under the bed: Remove dust and allergens from carpets, and don’t forget to clean under the bed where dust tends to accumulate.
• Declutter clothing and donate unused items: Sort through clothing, donating or discarding items you no longer need.
• Clean mirrors and windows: Wipe down mirrors and clean windows to enhance natural light and create a brighter atmosphere.

Bathroom:

• Scrub and disinfect surfaces: Clean and disinfect all bathroom surfaces, including the toilet, sink, and shower/bathtub.
• Replace shower curtain liner: Keep your shower area fresh by replacing the liner regularly.
• Clean mirrors and glass surfaces: Wipe down mirrors
  and glass surfaces for a streak-free shine.
• Organize toiletries and discard expired items: Declutter your bathroom by organizing toiletries and discarding any expired or unused items.
• Wash bath mats and towels: Launder bath mats and towels to maintain a clean and hygienic bathroom environment.

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Conclusion:

Moving is inherently stressful, but by following these decluttering and loading strategies, you can minimize anxiety and ensure a smoother transition to your new home. For assistance with storage or any aspect of your move, contact National Van Lines at 800-676-9270 or online.

Moving will always be a stressful occurrence, but by applying the decluttering techniques above, you can at least ensure your moving experience is as stress-free as possible.

If you’re ready to schedule your next move, we’d love for you to give National Van Lines a chance to earn your business.