Moving is the perfect time to declutter and get rid of items you no longer need. At Red Dog Dumpsters, we make the process of disposing of unwanted items easy and environmentally friendly. By following our guide, you can ensure a smooth move and a clutter-free new home.
Declutter Before Moving
It’s common to accumulate extra items over time, and moving presents an excellent opportunity to sort through your belongings and get rid of what you don’t need. Not only does this save you time and effort in packing, but it also helps you start fresh in your new home.
How to Downsize Your Belongings
To stay organized during your decluttering process, tackle one room at a time. For instance, focus on the kitchen entirely before moving on to other areas. Sort your items into four categories: keep, sell, donate, or trash.
– Keep: Pack these items or set them aside for now.
– Sell/Donate: Place these items in a specific part of the room or in boxes.
– Trash: Have trash bags ready for items that need to be discarded.
What to Get Rid of When Moving: The Top 25 Items
- Broken Items: Dispose of anything beyond repair.
- Building Supplies: Leave these for the next occupant if they can use them.
- Clothing and Shoes: Purge anything stained, torn, or that doesn’t fit.
- Craft Supplies: Donate supplies you no longer use.
- Décor: Get rid of unused holiday decorations and outdated décor.
- Dishes and Silverware: Toss broken or mismatched items.
- DVDs, CDs, Records, and Books: Donate items you no longer use.
- Electronics: Recycle old gadgets you no longer need.
- Excess Auto Supplies: Dispose of old batteries and oil containers.
- Expired Food and Medication: Throw away out-of-date items.
- Old Linens: Keep only what you use regularly.
- Furniture: Only move furniture that fits in your new home.
- Large Outdoor Toys: Donate outgrown bikes and playsets.
- Old Makeup and Beauty Products: Toss items older than six months.
- Old Paint: Dispose of or donate usable paint.
- Paper: Shred old records and unnecessary paperwork.
- Pet Supplies: Discard old or broken pet toys.
- Planters: Keep only your favorite pots.
- Pots and Pans: Donate what you haven’t used in a year.
- Throw Blankets and Pillows: Reduce your collection to a manageable number.
- Tools: Get rid of duplicate or unused tools.
- Toys: Donate or discard broken or outgrown toys.
- Unmatched Cords: Dispose of cords you don’t use or recognize.
- Unused Cleaning Products: Use them up or dispose of them properly.
- Unused Exercise Equipment: Donate equipment you no longer use.
Disposing of Extra Items
Once you’ve sorted your items into sell, donate, and trash piles, it’s time to dispose of them properly. Here’s how:
Sell Unwanted Items
– Host a Sale: A moving sale is a great way to make some extra money while clearing out your home.
– Sell Online: Try Facebook Marketplace, eBay, ThredUp, or other online resellers.
– Consign: Look for a local resale shop that offers consignment.
Make Donations
– Animal Shelters: They often need extra blankets, towels, and cleaning supplies.
– Schools, Libraries, or Senior Centers: These places can use books or craft supplies. Just call and ask what they need.
– Donation Centers: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and other charities in your area accept various items.
Properly Dispose of Household Waste
– Medications: The FDA recommends using a local take-back program. Check with your police station or pharmacy for drop-off locations.
– Cleaning Supplies, Oil, Liquid Paint, and Other Chemicals: Contact your trash service or city hall for proper disposal instructions.
– Metals, Batteries, Appliances, and E-waste: Look for scrap metal recycling locations in your area or check with city hall for disposal rules.
Partner with Red Dog Dumpsters
At Red Dog Dumpsters, we provide convenient dumpster rental services to help you dispose of unwanted items efficiently. Our dumpsters are perfect for handling the bulk of your moving purge, ensuring a hassle-free experience. We are committed to eco-friendly practices, ensuring that your waste is managed responsibly.
For more information or to schedule a dumpster rental, contact Red Dog Dumpsters at (615) 933-3300 or visit our website.
Start your move off right with Red Dog Dumpsters – your trusted partner in waste management.