Moving? Here's What to Toss

​Moving? Here’s what not to bring.
Earlier we wrote a post here about saving money when moving by not moving as much stuff. When the time comes to pack up your belongings can call a moving van, the objective should be to move as little stuff as possible. People miss this valuable step, and end up making packing, moving, and unpacking more time consuming, and expensive then is truly necessary. But there is a solution – a rental dumpster or similar roll off service which helps you purge prior to the move.
Space on moving trucks is expensive. And the average American tries to move a bunch of stuff when the time comes. Our recommendation? Rent a dumpster, a month or so before its time to pack up the house. This allows you to do two things: One, you can thoroughly purge your things, and toss any garbage, trash, or stuff you don’t need. Two, it allows you to cleanup your yard, toss construction or renovation debris, and make it that much easier to stage your house when its time. But back to the first point. What all should you throw away?
Depending on how much stuff you have, and how good you are at removing junk periodically, this will depend on a few things. Use the below suggestions as a guide. Whatever you determine you don’t absolutely need, try and donate it. In addition to donations, consider selling items online, giving them to friends, or having a garage sale. For items that can’t be donated or sold, and any waste or refuse you may dig up in your home, throw it in your rental dumpster. Most dumpster rental businesses (including ours) make this super easy. We’ll bring a dumpster, leave it in your driveway or on the street, and give you a couple weeks to fill it up before we come back to retrieve it. That’s it.
So as you’re walking through your home, think about when you used an item last, if it would be cheaper to replace, if it’s damaged or inoperable, where it will go in your new home, and whether or not you really need to move it.
Then, get rid of it! Consider the following items as you clean up your home:

• Old holiday decorations: Do you still use them? If not, holiday decorations can be bulky and annoying to move.
• Chemicals: most moving companies won’t move your chemicals anyway, and we wouldn’t recommend trying to hid them in your stuff just to save some money on the other end. Dump them (or use them) safely, and get new stuff when you get where you’re going.
• Sports equipment and workout gear: This is bulky and heavy. And how often are you using it? Sure, move expensive equipment, but we recommend trading up, or replacing your gear with newer stuff on the other end. It could actually save you money, and will decrease headaches.
• Appliances: there will likely be appliances in your new home, and for those you need to replace, consider buying new stuff versus  moving older units.
• Tools: sure, tools are valuable and expensive, but they’re also heavy and can be bulky. Bring your tools, but consider a purge before loading up. Also, think twice about heavy workbenches, shelves, and scrap materials.
• Picture Frames: Picture frames take up a lot of space. And if they’re extra or leftover, you may have no idea when you’ll use them next. Don’t move them. Chuck them in a dumpster instead, or give them away.
• Stuff taking up room in storage: In this article, we talk about how to save money by reducing the amount of stuff in storage. This is another great application for a dumpster rental. Toss as much as you aren’t committed to keeping. You’ll save time and money.
• Chemical based rodent traps: Like chemicals, don’t try and move these. Dump them, and just get new ones.
• Extra coat hangers: again, these take up a lot of space, and can be easily replaced when you get where you’re going.
• Old, ratty cutting boards: face it, cutting boards get gross. Throw them out, and just plan to get new ones.
• CDs and DVDs: How often are you using your CDs and DVDs now anyway? Could this move be a good opportunity to move away from these bulky belongings? We think so.
• Expired food: do you have a big bag of rice or flour in your pantry? Old cans of beans and vegetables? Don’t move any of it. Toss it, and make a grocery run at your new place.
• Old pots and pans: reward yourself with a new set, unless you love the ones you have.
• Old, sad towels: those who have dogs likely have a need for old towels. If not, get rid of them.
• Mismatched utensils: depending on how long you’ve collected utensils for, you may have an odd hodge-podge of them. They add weight, and you can get new ones.
• Old Computer peripherals: If there isn’t a high likelihood of using your peripherals again, dump them, and save the room and the weight.
• Old TVs: Unless you have a super nice flatscreen, we recommend selling your TV prior to moving. Especially if there is a high likelihood that it gets damaged during the move.
• Filing Cabinets and old papers: This stuff takes up a lot of space, and is heavy. Go through your papers, and consider dumping or shredding everything you don’t need. Scan as much as possible. Dump your filing cabinet, and get another one later.
• Mugs: how many coffee mugs do you need? These are heavy, and prone to breaking in transit anyway. Keep a few you want, wrap them well, and dump the rest.
• Lamps and lights: These take up a ton of space. Unless you love them, consider donating.
• Blankets, sheets, pillowcases: Keep a set or two, or plan to replace all of these when you get where you’re going. They can be heavy and bulky.
• Old clothing: most of us have closets of unused clothing. Moving is a great time to downscale your wardrobe. Clothes are also heavy and bulky.
• Shoes: like clothes, shoes take up space. And even though we all like to hold onto a few pairs, now is a good time to toss them.
• Rugs: Unless you have super nice rugs you want to retain, chuck them in the rental dumpster.
• Unused lotions, conditioners, shampoos, and soap products: Unless you buy super high end products, these are more likely to spill in transit. Skip the headache and dump them before you go.
• Radios and stereos and large speakers: Older generation speakers are huge, heavy, and unwieldy – plus, a lot of the newer stuff sounds better now anyways. Consider donating or dumping, especially if they’re not working well.
• Office Supplies: Cleanse your office supply drawers. Buy new stuff later.
• Plungers, toilet cleaners, drain stoppers: This stuff is unsanitary, bulky, and annoying to move, plus you have to wrap it up. Toss it. Buy new stuff later.
• Old magazines and books: These are heavy, and can be bulky. Purge, and keep the stuff you really want.
• Old cardboard boxes and packing supplies: If you’re like us, you have a stockpile of cardboard and wrapping supplies. Get rid of it for the move and start saving it all later.
• Wrapping Paper: While you know you’ll use it in the future, this stuff is bulky and annoying.

 
There are dozens more items you can get rid of to lighten the load for your upcoming move. A dumpster rental is a great way to facilitate these types of cleanups, and is convenient and cost-effective. Call us today and we can help make your move as flawless and as easy as possible with a roll off dumpster rental. Happy purging!