How to Declutter Before a Move in New Jersey: Lighten the Load, Stress Less

1. Start Early (No, Really, Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute)

You might think you’ll get it done in a weekend, but spoiler alert: decluttering always takes longer than planned. Start at least a few weeks before your move. This gives you time to go through everything without feeling like you’re racing against the clock.

How to Get Started:

• Create a Declutter Schedule: Break down your decluttering by room or category and spread it out over several days. Tackle one area at a time—closets one day, kitchen cabinets the next.
• Set Clear Goals: Go into each decluttering session with a clear goal, whether it’s to reduce clothes by half or clear out those random kitchen gadgets you forgot you had.
• Gather Supplies: Grab some trash bags, boxes for donations, and maybe a box for sentimental items you’re on the fence about.

Tip: If you’re moving in the middle of a New Jersey winter or heatwave, give yourself a little extra time to take breaks. Moving seasonally comes with its own set of challenges!

Summary: Start early, create a schedule, and set specific goals. By pacing yourself, you can avoid the pre-move panic.

2. Use the “Keep, Donate, Trash” System

When it comes to decluttering for a move, it’s all about making tough calls. Go item by item and assign everything to one of three categories: Keep, Donate, or Trash. If it’s broken, expired, or hasn’t seen the light of day in years, it’s probably not worth the space in your new place.

How the System Works:

• Keep: For items you truly use, love, or need. If it’s been a staple in your life, it gets to make the move with you.
• Donate: Gently used clothes, books, home decor, and furniture that you’re ready to part with can be donated. New Jersey is home to plenty of charities and donation centers that will appreciate it.

Trash: Anything broken beyond repair, expired products, or items you can’t identify (no, you won’t magically remember what that charger goes to) should go in the trash.

Tip: If you’re feeling indecisive, ask yourself, “Will I really use this in my new home?” Be honest—those rollerblades you haven’t touched in ten years are probably not making a comeback.

Summary: Use “Keep, Donate, Trash” to sort everything before packing. You’ll lighten your load and move only what matters.

3. Tackle High-Volume Areas First

Certain areas tend to collect the most “stuff.” Starting with these high-volume zones can make a huge impact and make the rest of the decluttering feel manageable.

High-Volume Zones to Declutter:

• Closets: Closets are notorious for hiding forgotten items. Go through clothes, shoes, and accessories. Be brutal—if you haven’t worn it in the last two years, it’s probably time to say goodbye.
• Kitchen: The kitchen is a hot spot for clutter. Tackle old pantry items, expired spices, and mismatched Tupperware (where do all those lids go, anyway?).
• Garage or Storage Areas: These spots often contain items you meant to get rid of ages ago. Moving is the perfect time to finally clear out those tools you’ve never used or the bike you’ve only ridden once.

Tip: Many charities in New Jersey accept gently used items, so check for donation centers nearby to drop off your extras.

Summary: Focus on high-volume areas like closets, the kitchen, and storage areas. Decluttering these spaces first makes the biggest dent in your moving load.

4. Be Realistic About Furniture

Furniture is heavy, bulky, and takes up serious space, so consider carefully what’s worth moving. If you’re planning a major change in style, or if the furniture won’t fit in your new place, it’s probably best to leave it behind.

How to Decide What Stays and What Goes:

• Measure Your New Space: New Jersey real estate can vary widely, so be sure to measure doorways, hallways, and room sizes in your new place. If a piece won’t fit, don’t waste the effort (or money) moving it.
• Consider Condition: If your couch is on its last legs, or your dresser has seen better days, think about whether it’s time for an upgrade. Moving is a perfect excuse to invest in pieces you’ll actually enjoy.
• Sell or Donate: If your furniture is in good condition but just doesn’t suit your new space, consider selling it or donating it. It’ll be one less thing to move and could make someone else’s day.

Tip: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local buy-and-sell groups are great for quickly offloading unwanted furniture. Plus, you might make a few bucks!

Summary: Decide carefully on what furniture to move. Measure your new space, evaluate condition, and consider selling or donating what won’t make the cut.

5. Digitize and Downsize Paperwork

Paper has a sneaky way of piling up. Take this chance to go through your paperwork and cut down on what you really need to bring along.

Steps to Declutter Your Paperwork:

• Sort by Category: Separate your paperwork into categories like “Important Documents,” “Financial,” and “Sentimental.” This helps you see what’s actually necessary.
• Go Digital: Scan documents you want to keep but don’t necessarily need in physical form. There are plenty of free scanning apps, and a digital backup can be a lifesaver.
• Shred and Recycle: For sensitive documents you no longer need, use a shredder to safely dispose of them. Then recycle the rest—it’s one less pile to worry about on moving day.

Tip: New Jersey libraries and community centers sometimes offer free shredding events, which can be a big help if you have a lot of documents to dispose of safely.

Summary: Digitize what you can, shred and recycle what you don’t need, and only keep essential paperwork. You’ll save yourself from lugging boxes of unnecessary papers to your new home.

6. Create a Packing Plan for the Essentials

Now that you’ve pared down, it’s time to start packing what’s left—but don’t just throw it all into boxes. A little organization now will make unpacking so much easier.

Packing Tips for Moving Day:

• Pack Room by Room: To make unpacking easier, pack each room’s items together and label boxes clearly. This way, you can unpack one room at a time instead of hunting for essentials all over the house.
• Use Clear Labels: Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This isn’t the time for mystery boxes—your future self will thank you.
• Pack an Essentials Box: Set aside a box with your immediate needs, like toiletries, a few outfits, important documents, and any electronics or chargers you’ll need right away. Moving is hectic enough without scrambling to find your toothbrush on the first night.

Tip: Consider color-coding boxes by room. A roll of colored duct tape can make it easy to see at a glance which box belongs where.

Summary: Pack room by room, label boxes clearly, and set aside an essentials box for a smoother moving experience. Organized packing now means easier unpacking later.

Need Help Clearing Out the Clutter? Call GO4 Junk Removal!

If you’re decluttering for a move and finding that you’ve got more junk than you know what to do with, GO4 Junk Removal can help. We specialize in taking the hassle out of getting rid of unwanted items, from furniture and appliances to boxes of clutter you just don’t want to move.

Why Choose GO4 Junk Removal?

• Quick and Efficient: We offer same-day and next-day services across New Jersey, so you can clear out your space without delays.
• Eco-Friendly Disposal: We recycle and donate whenever possible, keeping as much as we can out of landfills.
• Heavy Lifting Done for You: Don’t strain yourself with bulky items—our team takes care of all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on your move.

Ready to lighten your load? Give us a call, and let’s make moving day a little easier.