How and Why to Declutter When Moving House

Why declutter?

So you are wondering: I have got a million and one other things on my mind, why waste time decluttering when I could get packing? You have a lot to learn!

• Save money. One of the main determining factors in the cost of a house removal, is the volume of your possessions. It’s not rocket science; the less you have, the less you pay. Therefore, by saying goodbye to some not-so-precious items, you will be pleasantly surprised when requesting removal quotes.
• Make money. Not only can you cut back on costs by decluttering, but it also gives you the opportunity for a little extra cash. There are hundreds of online platforms out there in which to sell second-hand goods, so get cracking and your wallet will be heavier before you know it!
• Peace of mind. Even more important than money in the bank is your state of mind. Moving is considered the third most stressful life event, but decluttering is one way to minimise said stress.

Still not feeling inspired? Just remember: the ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.

How to Declutter

When it comes to decluttering, even more important than the why is the how. Put into practice some of these hacks and you will be well on your way.

To prepare for the ultimate declutter:

• Create a schedule. Impeccable organisation is essential to any successful decluttering campaign. Make sure you give yourself enough time to avoid unnecessary stress. Be truthful to yourself- if you are someone who needs strict deadlines then set yourself one. If you know that will make things worse, then don’t. Simple!
• Make a list. Along with a schedule, creating a to-do list both helps you stay on top of things and also keeps you motivated. Every time you tick something off, it will feel like a small win.
• Phone a friend. Whatever one pair of hands can do, two hands can do better (or faster!) Company and a second opinion can go a long way- even if it’s just for a chinwag.
• Take out the bins. This might sound strange, but before you start decluttering, take your bins out. It is simply one less thing in the house to think about!

Decluttering techniques:

• One room at a time. Again, structure and organisation is key! We recommend starting with the kitchen, as this is usually where unwanted items will be discarded temporarily, and so it is important to clear up space here before you move onto other rooms.
• Four box method. Before you begin, create four large boxes labelled ‘bin’, ‘give-away’, ‘keep’, ‘relocate’. Every item will fall into one of these categories but remember to be ruthless!
• 12-12-12 challenge. Don’t worry, this isn’t some kind of mathematical quiz! It is simply a technique whereby you choose 12 items to throw-away, 12 to gift to a lucky recipient and 12 to sell. That means each round of this exercise a whopping 36 items find a new home.

Note! When throwing out old things, be mindful of what can and cannot go in domestic waste. For example, old phones and batteries can be hazardous. Do you research as to where to dispose of these items.

• Closet hanger experiment. We know how easy it is to become attached to clothes. However, as a general rule, if you haven’t worn an item for six months, the chances are you won’t again. Instead, find someone else who will appreciate it- either a friend or a charity shop.
• Be a first-time visitor. So how do you know when to stop? A good rule of thumb is to try and observe your house as if you were visiting it for the first time or visiting the home of a friend. What would your first impression be?

We hope we have shown you why decluttering truly is an art-form, and one worth investing time into at that! Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions; so what are you waiting for?