12 Items You Absolutely MUST Toss Before Moving, According to Professional Organizers

You never know how much stuff you have until you’re packing up your entire home to move to a new one. From all the forgotten clothing items in your closet to the bookshelves full of knickknacks to the stacks of boxes in your garage, there’s so much that you have to prep and put away before packing the trunk and hauling off to your new address. And on top of that, you then have to unpack it all and find new places for everything. Because this is one of the worst parts of moving, we asked a handful of professional organizers—plus one professional closet designer—to share what they always throw out before a move to make the process just a little bit smoother.

“They say moving is one of the most stressful things you can do, but I see it as an opportunity for a clean slate,” professional organizer Laura Cattano says. “The most important part of the puzzle is your mindset; learning to see your current things through the lens of how you actually will and want to live in this new space and chapter in your life.” Once you do that, it becomes easy to see what you need to unload in order to streamline your move—and your life. We’ve put together a cheat sheet to start the decluttering process and make it even easier. Keep reading to discover what 12 things these experts recommend getting rid of before you begin your new journey.

Worn-Out Basics

“Think stretched-out camisoles, faded leggings, pilled sweaters, or socks and underwear with holes. These staples often linger in our wardrobes and dresser drawers far past their prime. Moving is the perfect excuse to replenish your basics with fresh, better-fitting versions.”

Unworn Shoes in Poor Condition

“Shoes take up serious real estate in a closet—and a moving truck. Before packing, sort through anything uncomfortable, out of style, or damaged beyond reasonable repair. It’s a great time to upgrade to pieces you’ll truly wear and love.”

Unnecessary Duplicates

“Owning more than one pizza cutter or stapler isn’t that uncommon, but it is usually unnecessary. Access any categories with multiples of the same tool. For example: kitchen gadgets, garden tools, and small appliances. Ask yourself whether those multiples are ever used simultaneously. If the answer is no, pick your favorite and donate the rest. You’d be surprised how much clutter you can clear with this approach.”

They say moving is one of the most stressful things you can do, but I see it as an opportunity for a clean slate.

Expired Pantry Goods & Toiletries

“Any and all expired food! The last thing you want to do is pack up outdated spices, moldy bread, and stale crackers to just throw them away. I always suggest doing a complete pantry edit before packing, and only taking food items you use to the new house.”

Towels and Linens Past Their Prime

“Make sure to do a thorough linen closet edit prior to moving. Toss any stained or torn towels as well as mismatched sheet sets. Yes, even those crib sheets your kids outgrew years ago (your kids will not want them when they have their own kids).”

Outdated Tech & Cords

“[Get rid of that] random tangle of chargers, remotes, and cables. It’s probably not being used and can be tossed. These items almost always take up space without serving any purpose. We sort them ruthlessly, keeping only what’s currently in use or valuable.”

Unfinished Projects or Hobbies

“Half-done craft projects, unused workout gear, and things along these lines—we call these ‘aspirational clutter,’ and they carry emotional weight and guilt. If it hasn’t been touched in a year, moving is your permission slip to let it go.”

Cheap Storage Bins

“People are often surprised I recommend tossing these, but mismatched, flimsy plastic bins don’t belong in a new, elevated space. We always curate better, more intentional systems after a move, so bringing the old clutter-containers just perpetuates disorganization.”

Ill-Fitting Furniture

“I’ve seen so many clients waste money on moving a piece that can’t fit through the door, or fit the rooms they intend it to as they failed to measure properly. Then they have to pay to have it removed! I’ve also seen clients hold onto pieces that don’t fit their overall aesthetic, or don’t function well—like drawers that don't glide easily or open all the way—only because they’ve had them for years. It’s a good time to let these things go now, saving the trouble in the end. Smaller pieces like side tables or chests of drawers are more flexible and you may find a new use for them in a way you didn’t think of at first. These are worth the trouble to bring along and see.”

Uninspiring Decor

“Your home should be a space filled with things that inspire or move you in some way. Once you leave your home, you have no control over anything; weather, traffic, other people... Your home is the one place you have total control of how things look, function and feel, so take control! The days are too long to be staring at bad art.”

Things You’ve Outgrown

“Now is the time to finally say goodbye to baby gear, toddler toys, dress up clothes and anything else that is no longer age appropriate for anyone in your household. These items often get stored away and forgotten about but there is no reason to spend resources moving them to another home they’ll be hidden away in.”

Anything Broken

“Tupperware without lids, socks without a mate and anything else that is no longer functioning properly should go before you move. Give yourself the excuse to finally replace them with functioning versions in your new home with the reminder that in order for something to be useful, it must be used.”