Moving house has a magical way of turning perfectly normal cupboards into portals to 2013. Suddenly, you’re juggling a huge box of tangled chargers that fit nothing you own, a tub of single baby socks and a ‘special occasion’ candle that’s been waiting for an occasion for years.
If you’re about to move, here’s the truth. The easiest way to make moving day less stressful is to own less stuff by the time it arrives.
This is my fun, no-guilt guide to the pre-move purge. It covers what to bin, donate, sell, and keep, plus the one thing that made our big relocation so much easier.
Step 1: Pick your purge zones (so you don’t burn out)
Don’t try to declutter the whole house in one heroic weekend. That is how you end up sitting on the floor eating cereal out of a mug.
Instead, go zone by zone:
- Bathroom cupboards
- Kitchen drawers
- Kids’ toys
- Wardrobes
- The dreaded random cupboard
- Garage, loft, or shed
Set a timer for 30 to 45 minutes. Do what you can, then stop. Consistency beats chaos.
Step 2: The 4-pile method (bin, donate, sell, keep)
Grab 4 bags or boxes and label them:
- BIN (broken, grubby, expired, beyond saving)
- DONATE (still useful, decent condition, someone else will love it)
- SELL (worth actual money, not “maybe someone would pay £2”)
- KEEP (you use it, love it, or genuinely need it)
If you’re moving with kids, consider adding a fifth pile called ASK THE KIDS. Otherwise, you’ll accidentally donate the one toy they’ve loved since birth, and you’ll never emotionally recover.
Step 3: Add timeframes (because selling stuff can be a full-time job)
Here’s the bit people don’t always tell you. Decluttering is one thing, but selling is another.
When you’re already juggling packing, life admin, school runs, work, and the general chaos of moving, selling can either be a nice little bonus or a massive drain.
Use these rough timeframes to decide what’s worth it.
If you have 4+ weeks before moving
You can sell the proper items. Things like:
- Furniture
- Prams and travel systems
- Big toy bundles (Lego, wooden sets)
- Bikes and scooters
Why this works: You’ve got time for messages, no-shows, and the “can you deliver it to my cousin in Narnia?” conversations.
If you have 2 to 4 weeks
Sell only the easy wins.
- High-value items that photograph well
- Things you can post easily
- Items you can bundle (for example, a bundle of 10 baby sleepsuits)
Rule of thumb. If it won’t sell within a week, it’s probably not selling before you move.
If you have 0 to 2 weeks (aka the panic zone)
This is not the time to become an online reseller.
- Donate it
- Bin it
- Or box it up and sell it after the move
Honestly, boxing it up and selling it once you’ve moved can be the best of both worlds. You still get the money, but you’re not trying to coordinate pickups while living among half-taped boxes.
That’s exactly what I did, and I’m genuinely glad I did. I am slowly going through my ‘Vinted’ boxes and storage bags and treating this like part like a paid hobby! Plus, I can keep the Vinted balance and use it for new stuff! Win-win.
What to BIN
Bin is for anything that costs more in stress than it’s worth.
- Expired toiletries and makeup (yes, even the fancy ones)
- Old medicines (check local disposal rules)
- Broken toys (missing pieces, snapped bits, sad batteries)
- Random cables you can’t identify in 10 seconds
- Stained, stretched, holey clothes you never wear
- Mismatched plastic containers with no lids (or lids with no containers)
- Half-used craft supplies that are basically glitter dust and regret
Quick rule: If it’s broken and you haven’t fixed it in 6 months, it’s not getting fixed before the move.
We moved about 30 minutes away. That sounds simple until you add in five humans, pets, a dog, and the fact that we arrived at a house with a mouse infestation, a hornets’ nest, no locking front door, and no gas.
So yes. Chaotic. But we LOVE it and wouldn’t change it.
And in all that madness, the biggest game-changer wasn’t a fancy label maker (although I do love a label). It was having somewhere to put the rubbish immediately.
We hired a skip for both ends of the process, and it was honestly a godsend. No endless trips to the tip. No bags piling up by the back door. No, we’ll deal with that later mountain.
If you’re doing a proper clear-out, having a skip can make the whole purge feel faster and less overwhelming. We used a 20 Yard Skip, and it made a huge difference.
What to DONATE (the ‘still good’ pile)
Donate anything that’s in good condition and would genuinely help someone else.
- Kids’ clothes they’ve outgrown (clean and wearable)
- Books you won’t reread (be honest)
- Toys that are complete and still fun
- Kitchenware you don’t use (duplicate utensils, spare mugs)
- Coats and shoes that still have life in them
- Baby gear you’re done with (if safe and in good condition)
Consider keeping a donation bag by the door during moving prep. Every time you spot something you don’t need, in it goes.
What to SELL (only the stuff that’s worth your time)
Selling can be brilliant for the budget. It can also eat up your time when you’re already juggling a million moving tasks.
Sell items that are:
- In demand
- Worth more than your effort
- Not emotionally complicated (selling the kids’ old cot can hit you right in the feelings)
Great candidates:
- Prams, travel systems, high chairs (if in good condition)
- Branded kids’ toys (Lego, wooden sets, big-ticket items)
- Furniture that won’t suit the new place
- Electronics that work and have chargers
- Bikes, scooters, outdoor toys
Reality check: If you wouldn’t bother meeting a stranger in a car park for it, donate it.
What to KEEP (the moving-with-you essentials)
Keep what you actually use, love, or need.
- Everyday clothes that fit and make you feel good
- Sentimental items (but choose a container size and stick to it)
- Practical kitchen basics you use weekly
- Important paperwork (in one folder, not 17 safe places)
- Kids’ favourites (the comfort items, the bedtime books)
A helpful question to ask yourself: Would I pay to move this? Because you are, in time, money, and energy.
A quick pre-move purge checklist
- Pick one zone per day (or per evening)
- Use the 4-pile method
- Bag donations as you go
- If you’re selling, set a deadline (and stick to it)
- If you’re short on time, box it up and sell it after you’ve moved
- Keep a first night box (kettle, mugs, chargers, bedding, kids’ PJs, WINE)
- Get rid of rubbish quickly so it doesn’t creep back in
You don’t have to be ruthless, just realistic
Decluttering before a move isn’t about becoming a minimalist overnight. It’s about not packing, lifting, transporting, unpacking, and finding space for things you don’t even want.
Future-you, standing in the new house with a cup of tea and fewer boxes, will be very grateful. TRUST ME, it’s worth the effort before you move.
If you’re moving soon, what’s the one area you’re most excited to purge? Is it the kitchen drawers, the toy chaos, or the mystery cupboard?
Last Updated on April 30, 2026 by Lucy Clarke
