Moving house or downsizing? How to declutter before you move

Every box you move costs time and effort to pack, carry and unpack. And if you're downsizing, there simply won't be room for everything. Decluttering before you move is one of the smartest things you can do — and done early, it can put money in your pocket at a time when there's lots to pay for.

Start early: eight weeks out

As soon as you know you're moving, start with the spaces you rarely use: the loft, the garage, the shed, the spare room. These hold the most "forgotten" items.

• Get rid of anything broken.
• Identify items of value you don't need.
• Measure your new home if you're downsizing, so you know what furniture will fit.

Six weeks out: sell the valuable stuff

This is the time to sell, before the chaos of packing. Look for:

• Tech: old phones, laptops, tablets, consoles — see what to do with old tech.
• Kitchen kit you don't use — see selling kitchen appliances.
• Tools and garden equipment, especially if you're moving somewhere without a garden — see selling power tools and selling garden tools.
• Hobby gear, instruments and collectables.

For postable items, getting instant offers is the quickest route. With SendForCash, describe each item and get a fixed cash offer; accept, and we email a free postage label. We pay the same day we inspect, and offers are valid for five days after accepting — useful when you're juggling a move.

Furniture and large items are best sold locally or donated.

Four weeks out: room by room

Work through each room using the keep, sell, donate, recycle method. Our room-by-room decluttering guide walks you through it. Be realistic: if you haven't used it in a year and you're moving to a smaller home, it probably doesn't need to come.

Two weeks out: donate and recycle

• Book a charity furniture collection if you need one — slots can book up.
• Take electricals to your local recycling centre — see our e-waste recycling guide.
• Use up food in the freezer and cupboards.
• Take clothes and shoes to charity shops or textile banks.

Moving week

Pack only what you're keeping. Label boxes by room. Keep essentials in a separate box: chargers, kettle, mugs, toiletries, documents, tools for reassembling furniture.

Downsizing: the hardest bit

Downsizing — perhaps after children leave home, or in retirement — often means letting go of things with a lot of history. Some tips:

• Decide what matters most and give it pride of place in the new home.
• Offer family members items they might want before selling.
• Photograph sentimental items before letting them go.
• Don't try to do it all in one go.

FAQ

How far in advance should I start decluttering?

As early as possible — ideally six to eight weeks before your move.

Is it worth selling stuff before moving, or after?

Before. You'll save effort packing and moving it, and you won't have boxes of unwanted items in your new home.

What's the quickest way to sell lots of items?

For working, postable items, instant offers are quickest. For low-value bits, a car boot sale or charity shop — see our comparison.

Do you buy furniture?

No — we can only accept items that can be posted (up to 30kg and 1.5m long).