What to toss, sell, or donate when decluttering for a move

Moving to a new home is a fresh start, a chance to embrace new surroundings and create new memories. But before you get to the exciting part of unpacking in your new space, there's often one big hurdle: decluttering. If you're wondering how to sort through everything and decide what to toss, sell, or donate, you're in the right place.

Decluttering before a move isn't just about tidying up; it's about making your entire relocation simpler and more affordable. Less stuff means less to pack, less to move, and potentially a smoother, more efficient moving day.

 

Why decluttering before a move is your best strategy

Think of decluttering as an investment in a stress-free move. When you reduce the sheer volume of items you own, you lighten the load – literally. This can translate to:

• Saving money: Fewer items mean less to transport, which can lead to lower moving costs. Tingsapp is committed to making moving affordable for everyone, delivering quality service that fits your budget. Getting rid of unnecessary items beforehand helps ensure you only pay to move what you truly need and love.

• Saving time: With fewer things to pack, your packing process will be quicker, and unpacking at the new place will be much faster too.

• A fresh start: Moving is the perfect opportunity to let go of items you no longer use, need, or love, allowing you to start fresh in your new home with only what brings you joy.

• Reduced stress: Less clutter equals less chaos on moving day, making the whole experience much more manageable for you and your family.

What to toss, sell, or donate: your decluttering checklist

Deciding what to do with each item can feel overwhelming, but a simple framework can help: toss, sell, or donate.

What to toss (trash or recycle)

These are items that are no longer usable, broken beyond repair, expired, or have no real value for selling or donating.

• Expired or half-used products: old cleaning supplies, dried-up makeup, expired food items in your pantry.

• Broken or damaged items: furniture that's beyond repair, torn clothing, chipped dishes.

• Old paperwork and junk mail: shred anything with personal information, recycle the rest.

• Single socks and worn-out linens: if it's too tattered for donation, it's trash.

• Dried-up pens, broken toys, tangled cords: items that serve no purpose.

What to sell

If you have items in good condition that could fetch some money, selling them can be a great way to offset moving costs. Consider these options:

• Furniture in good condition: especially larger pieces you don't want to move or that won't fit in your new space.

• Electronics: old phones, laptops, or gaming consoles that still work.

• Designer clothes, accessories, and jewelry: items with resale value.

• Collectibles or antiques: if you're no longer interested in them.

• Tools or sporting equipment: if you've upgraded or no longer use them.

Platforms like online marketplaces (e.g., Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist) or consignment shops can help you find buyers.

What to donate

Items that are in good, usable condition but you no longer need or want can be a blessing to others. Donating is a great way to give back to your community.

• Clothing and shoes: clean, gently used items.

• Books, CDs, DVDs: if you've gone digital or just won't reread them.

• Kitchenware and small appliances: if they're in working order.

• Decorations and knick-knacks: items that won't fit your new aesthetic.

• Linens and towels: for animal shelters (check their specific needs).

• Toys and games: for children's charities or community centers.

Research local charities, thrift stores, or shelters in your area that accept donations. Some even offer pick-up services.

How Tingsapp simplifies moving your decluttered belongings

Once you’ve successfully decluttered and decided what stays, you’ll be left with only the items you truly want to take with you. This is where Tingsapp makes the actual moving process simple, honest, and straightforward. Tingsapp was founded in 2023 by a group of local movers with over a decade of combined experience, aiming to make moving affordable and accessible to everyone.

Here's how Tingsapp helps with the next step – getting your carefully curated belongings to your new home:

• Residential moving for all your "big stuff": Tingsapp specializes in residential moving services for a full house, an apartment, or just the big stuff. This includes specific support for "furniture delivery" and "couch moving services". So, whether you're relocating your entire home or just a few key pieces like a sofa from a marketplace purchase, we can handle it.

• Fixed, upfront pricing – no surprises: With Tingsapp, you get a fixed, upfront price, with no estimates and no moving day surprises. We also do not charge any service fees. This transparency makes budgeting easy and stress-free, so you know the total cost before your move even begins.

• Unmatched flexibility and convenience: You can book your move last minute or up to 30 days in advance in a few taps. Our platform is available 24/7, allowing you to book day or night without needing to contact anyone directly. It's as convenient as booking a ride.

• Trusted and reliable movers: Tingsapp connects you with skilled, background-checked, and highly-rated movers. They are thoroughly vetted to ensure high standards of service and reliability. Our movers come equipped with standard moving tools such as dollies, furniture pads, straps, and a moving truck, ensuring your furniture is handled safely and efficiently.

• Comprehensive full-service moving: Tingsapp provides full-service moving, which includes loading items from your location into our truck, safely transporting them, and placing them where you want at the destination. This means the heavy lifting of furniture and boxes is taken care of for you.

• Local Vancouver expertise: Tingsapp is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and primarily operates throughout Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, serving areas like Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, and many others. We understand the local logistics to ensure an efficient move.

Important note: what Tingsapp does not include

While Tingsapp handles a wide range of residential moving needs, it's important to remember that our standard services do not include packing, installation of appliances, or furniture assembly. Customers should have everything ready for movers to load and transport. Additionally, Tingsapp does not move specialty items like pianos or safes, nor does it provide storage services or labor-only services for loading/unloading rental trucks.

Make your move a breeze

Decluttering before a move can seem like a monumental task, but breaking it down into toss, sell, or donate categories makes it manageable. By taking the time to streamline your belongings, you'll not only prepare your home for an efficient transition but also set the stage for a lighter, fresher start in your new space.

Once your decluttering is complete and you're ready to move your chosen items, remember that Tingsapp is here to provide an easy, upfront, and reliable solution for transporting your household goods in British Columbia.

Download Tingsapp today and experience a new way of moving that puts you first.