In this post: Declutter before you move with 30 Easy‑to‑Let‑Go items for a lighter move, and spoiler alert, you can do this even if you aren’t moving.

Why Pre‑Move Decluttering Matters

Whether you’re a military family PCSing every two or three years or you’re simply moving down the street to your forever home, clearing clutter first saves boxes, money, and mental energy. Each item you release now is one less thing to wrap, haul, and unpack later.

The Mindset Shift Before You Move

Moving already drains emotional and physical energy. By focusing on quick‑win categories that don’t tug at your heartstrings, you build momentum—and free up bandwidth for bigger decisions (like furniture placement or school enrollment).

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30 Things to Declutter Right Now

Pro tip: Grab the printable checklist PDF (link below) if you’re a pen‑and‑paper person.

1. Expired pantry items
2. Freebie mugs & cups
3. Old towels and linens
4. Unworn clothes
5. Uncomfortable shoes
6. Damaged kitchen gadgets
7. Mystery cables & cords
8. Old receipts & paperwork
9. Duplicate cooking tools
10. Extra vases & décor
11. Expired makeup & skincare
12. Warped or stained food containers
13. Books you’ll never read
14. Kids’ outgrown clothes & toys
15. Unused craft or hobby supplies
16. Old holiday decorations
17. Expired cleaning products
18. Obsolete electronics & chargers
19. Extra bedding you never use
20. Random knickknacks & souvenirs
21. Mismatched socks
22. Worn‑out pet supplies
23. Broken jewelry & single earrings
24. Dried‑up pens & office extras
25. Old magazines & mailers
26. Décor you’ve outgrown
27. Unused or re‑gifted items
28. Multiple sets of dishware
29. “Someday” project supplies
30. Junk‑drawer odds & ends

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How to Use This List

1. Print the PDF and tape it to a clipboard.
2. Tackle 3–5 items per session—set a 20‑minute timer.
3. Sort into donate, recycle, trash, or sell (keep a donation bin handy).
4. Celebrate mini‑wins to stay motivated.

Ready for a Fresh Start?

Lightening your load now means less packing, fewer moving expenses, and a calmer arrival in your new space. Download the printable checklist here and let the stress‑free packing begin!

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Real‑Life Examples

As someone who loves examples, below is the same 30 Things to Declutter Checklis, and these are applicable examples I have encountered during moves.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened a box, unwrapped a mystery item, only to be severely disappointed to find a plastic souvenir cup from a local kids’ meal. My only thought is, “Why did I save you?”

When all else fails, ask yourself one question:

“Do I want to open a box and find this again?”

(Use these to spark quick “aha” decisions as you work through the checklist.)

1. Expired pantry items – that half‑used jar of salsa from last Super Bowl, spice jars way beyond their expiration date
2. Freebie mugs & cups – conference swag mug, plastic souvenir stadium cup
3. Old towels & linens – frayed beach towel, sheet set with missing pillowcases
4. Unworn clothes – souvenir shirt, impulse‑buy dress still wearing tags
5. Uncomfortable shoes – blister‑makers, heels you wore once and regretted
6. Damaged kitchen gadgets – warped spatula, chipped non‑stick pan, leaky blender
7. Mystery cables & cords – Nokia charger from 2008, duplicate HDMI cables
8. Old receipts & paperwork – grocery slips from last year, expired warranty docs
9. Duplicate cooking tools – two pizza cutters, extra garlic press, third set of measuring spoons
10. Extra vases & décor – florist‑delivery vases, “Live Laugh Love” sign you’ve outgrown
11. Expired makeup & skincare – clumpy mascara, SPF from two summers ago
12. Warped or stained food containers – red spaghetti‑stained tubs, lids with no bottoms
13. Books you’ll never read – old college textbooks, bestseller you abandoned at chapter three
14. Kids’ outgrown clothes & toys – 3T pajamas, noisy toddler toy your sixth‑grader ignores
15. Unused craft or hobby supplies – half‑knit scarf project, dried acrylic paints
16. Old holiday decorations – broken ornament hooks, tangled lights that never work
17. Expired cleaning products – dried‑out disinfecting wipes, bleach past its shelf life
18. Unused electronics – dead Bluetooth speaker, flip phone
19. Extra bedding – queen sheets when every bed is now king or twin
20. Random knickknacks – souvenir snow globe, promotional keychain
21. Mismatched socks – lonely socks without a mate
22. Worn‑out pet supplies – frayed leash, squeaker‑less dog toy
23. Broken jewelry or single earrings – chain‑less pendant, one hoop earring
24. Office supplies – dried‑up highlighters, three staplers when one works fine
25. Old magazines or mailers – holiday magazines, expired coupons
26. Décor you’ve outgrown – Tuscan kitchen wall art from your early‑marriage era
27. Unused gifts – scented candle you’ll never burn, novelty kitchen gadget
28. Multiple sets of dishware – third set of plates kept “just in case”
29. Items for “someday” projects – scrap wood for a DIY table you never built
30. Junk‑drawer odds & ends – dead batteries, pens that don’t write

Use these examples as quick visual cues whenever you hesitate—seeing a concrete item makes it easier to let go and keep your momentum.

Happy decluttering!