17 Items You Should Toss Before Your Next Move

Moving is the perfect excuse to go through your stuff and finally let some things go. Packing up everything you own makes it clear just how much you’ve held onto for no good reason. If you want to save time, space, and stress, getting rid of the clutter now is the way to go. Here are 17 things that are probably not worth dragging to your next place.

Expired Pantry Items

Chances are, there’s a can of beans or a mystery spice jar in your pantry that expired two years ago. Now’s the time to check dates and be honest—if you haven’t used it yet, you probably won’t. Toss anything past its prime or looking questionable. It’s not worth the effort to move expired food, and it gives you a fresh start to restock with things you’ll actually use.

Unmatched Tupperware

We all have that one drawer full of lids with no containers and containers with no lids. Instead of hauling it all to your new kitchen, take a few minutes to match up what you can and recycle the rest. Stick to a few reliable pieces and ditch the rest to save cabinet space in your new place.

Old Toiletries

That half-used bottle of hotel shampoo you swore you’d use one day? It’s just taking up room. Go through your bathroom cabinets and toss expired or nearly empty products. If it’s dusty, sticky, or smells weird, it’s time to let it go. Moving is a great chance to cut back to the essentials and keep things simple.

Clothes That Don’t Fit

If it doesn’t fit now, don’t bring it “just in case.” Moving clothes takes up a lot of space and effort, so save that energy for the pieces you actually wear. Go through your closet with a critical eye and donate anything you haven’t worn in over a year. You’ll thank yourself when unpacking.

Broken Electronics

Old chargers, tangled cords, and that DVD player that hasn’t worked in years—get rid of them. Electronics that no longer work or haven’t been used in ages just take up space. Recycle them at a local electronics drop-off instead of lugging them from place to place for no reason.

Paper Clutter

You probably don’t need phone bills from 2012 or warranty info for a toaster you no longer have. Go through your paper files and shred anything outdated or unnecessary. Keep the important stuff like tax documents and ID copies, but don’t drag a filing cabinet full of junk into your new space.

Excess Towels and Bedding

How many mismatched towels and worn-out sheets do you really need? If they’re stained, scratchy, or taking up space, let them go. Keep a few good sets and donate or repurpose the rest as cleaning rags. You’ll free up linen closet space and start fresh in your new home.

Duplicate Kitchen Tools

If you’ve got three can openers or a bunch of dull knives, it’s time to trim the collection. Go through your kitchen drawers and get rid of duplicates, broken tools, or anything you never use. Keeping your kitchen streamlined makes unpacking way less chaotic.

Outdated Decor

Some home decor just doesn’t fit your taste anymore, and that’s fine. If you’ve been holding onto pieces out of guilt or habit, now’s the perfect time to let them go. Don’t waste time and packing space on stuff that won’t even make it out of the moving box in your new place.

Books You Won’t Read Again

Books are heavy, and they take up a ton of space in moving boxes. If you’re holding onto titles you didn’t love or will never read, donate them. Keep your favorites and the ones you’ll revisit, but don’t feel bad letting go of the rest. Libraries and donation centers will gladly take them.

Old Magazines

Unless you collect them, there’s really no need to move stacks of old magazines. They’re bulky, heavy, and you probably won’t look at them again. Recycle them before your move and enjoy the extra space. If there’s a recipe or article you love, snap a quick photo and let the issue go.

Unused Hobby Supplies

Crafts, art projects, sports gear—you may have had the best of intentions, but if it’s been sitting untouched for years, it’s time to let it go. Be honest about what you’ll actually use in your next chapter. Freeing up space from forgotten hobbies can make room for new ones you’ll actually enjoy.

Takeout Menus and Junk Drawer Extras

Takeout menus from your old neighborhood won’t help much in your new place. Go through the junk drawer and get rid of expired coupons, random keys, dried-out pens, and other forgotten extras. Keep what’s useful and toss the rest so you don’t end up with a junk box instead of a junk drawer.

Old Furniture That Doesn’t Fit

If you’re moving to a new layout, not all your current furniture may work. Take measurements ahead of time and skip anything that won’t fit or feels too worn out to keep. Selling or donating it before the move saves you money on moving costs and gives you a chance to refresh your space.

Unused Holiday Decorations

Holiday bins can multiply fast, especially with stuff you never even unpack. If you’ve got decor you skip every year or things that are broken or faded, it’s time to say goodbye. Keep what you actually use and love, and donate or toss the rest. Your storage bins will thank you.

Shoes You Never Wear

Shoes can be bulky and heavy to pack, especially the ones gathering dust at the back of your closet. If they hurt your feet or don’t match anything you wear, skip the move and donate them. Stick with your go-to pairs and leave the extras behind.

Freebies and Promotional Items

Tote bags, water bottles, stress balls—you don’t need a dozen of each. These items sneak in over time but rarely get used. Go through your stash and keep one or two favorites. Toss the rest so you’re not unpacking clutter you didn’t want in the first place.

Make the Move Easier on Yourself

Moving is a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The more you let go of before packing, the lighter and easier the whole process becomes. Clearing out these items now gives you a fresh start and saves time, energy, and space in your next home. Keep what adds value to your daily life—and leave the rest behind.

This article first appeared on Happy From Home.