Here’s a truth most people discover too late: the cost of moving items you don’t actually need often exceeds what those items are worth.
That treadmill you haven’t used in three years? It’ll cost $50-100 to move. Those boxes of old textbooks in the garage? Another $30-50. Multiply this across an entire household, and you’re potentially spending hundreds—even thousands—of dollars to relocate things that will end up in your new home’s storage areas, unused once again.
The solution? Declutter before you move. Not only will you save money on moving costs, but you’ll also start fresh in your new home with only the items you truly need and love.
Why Decluttering Saves You Real Money
Moving companies typically charge based on weight, volume, or time—all of which increase with the amount of stuff you’re moving.
The Financial Impact:
- Every 100 pounds of items you eliminate saves approximately $50-75 in moving costs
- Reducing your load by one room’s worth of belongings can save $200-400
- Fewer items mean less packing materials needed ($100-200 in savings)
- Smaller loads often mean faster moves, reducing hourly labor charges
Beyond moving costs, decluttering can actually put money in your pocket through sales and donations.
The 8-Week Decluttering Timeline
The biggest mistake people make is waiting until the week before their move to start sorting through belongings. Effective decluttering takes time and shouldn’t be rushed.
8 Weeks Before: Start with storage areas—attic, basement, garage. These spaces hold items you rarely use, making decisions easier.
6 Weeks Before: Tackle bedrooms and closets. Use the “one-year rule”: if you haven’t worn or used it in a year, it goes.
4 Weeks Before: Focus on living areas, kitchen, and home office. Check expiration dates, consolidate duplicate kitchen tools, and purge outdated paperwork.
2 Weeks Before: Final sweep of all rooms. Every item you keep means more to pack and unpack.
Room-by-Room Decluttering Strategy
Kitchen:
- Duplicate utensils and tools
- Chipped or mismatched dishes
- Expired spices and pantry items
- Small appliances you haven’t used in six months
- Excess food storage containers
Bedrooms:
- Clothes that don’t fit or you haven’t worn in a year
- Old bedding and linens (keep 2-3 sets per bed maximum)
- Books you won’t reread
- Outgrown toys or games
Living Areas:
- Old magazines and newspapers
- Decorative items that don’t match your style anymore
- DVDs and CDs (most content is streaming now)
- Unused exercise equipment
Garage/Storage:
- Broken tools or equipment
- Paint cans over two years old
- Duplicate gardening tools
- Sports equipment for activities you no longer do
The Four-Box Method
For each room, use four categories:
Keep: Items you use regularly and truly need Sell: Valuable items in good condition you no longer use Donate: Usable items you don’t need that others could benefit from Trash: Broken, stained, or unusable items
Decision-Making Tips:
- Ask yourself: “Would I buy this again today?” If no, it goes.
- Consider the replacement cost versus moving cost. Cheap items cost less to replace than to move.
- If unsure, take a photo and revisit the decision in a week.
Where to Sell Your Unwanted Items in Orlando
Online Marketplaces:
- Facebook Marketplace: Best for furniture, appliances, and local pickup items
- OfferUp: Popular in Orlando for everything from electronics to household goods
- Craigslist: Still effective for large items
- eBay: Best for collectibles and electronics
Local Orlando Options:
- Consignment Shops: Uptown Cheapskate, Plato’s Closet for clothing
- Garage Sale: Host one 3-4 weeks before moving
- Buy-Sell-Trade Stores: Half Price Books, Play It Again Sports
Quick Sale Tips:
- Price items to move quickly (typically 20-30% of retail value)
- Good photos get faster responses
- Be willing to negotiate
Donation Options That Benefit Orlando
Major Orlando Donation Centers:
Goodwill Industries: Multiple locations throughout Orlando. Accepts clothing, furniture, household goods, and electronics. Donation receipts provided for tax purposes.
The Salvation Army: Offers free pickup service for large items.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Perfect for building materials, furniture, and appliances. Pickup available for large donations.
Vietnam Veterans of America: Free pickup service for clothing, small appliances, and household items.
Specialized Donations:
- Books: Orange County Library System
- Professional Clothing: Dress for Success Orlando
- Electronics: Goodwill and Best Buy recycling programs
- Pet Supplies: Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
Tax Deduction Guidelines
Documentation Requirements:
- Get a receipt from every organization
- List each item donated with estimated fair market value
- Take photos of donated items
- Keep all documentation for seven years
Approximate Donation Values:
- Clothing in good condition: $2-15 per item
- Small appliances: $5-30
- Furniture: $25-200 depending on size and condition
- Books: $1-5 each
Proper Disposal for Items You Can’t Donate or Sell
Orlando Disposal Options:
Hazardous Waste: Orange County offers free household hazardous waste disposal. Accepts paint, chemicals, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs.
Electronics: Best Buy offers free electronics recycling. Never trash electronics.
Large Items: Schedule a bulk trash pickup through Orange County Solid Waste Management, or rent a small dumpster ($200-400 for a weekend).
Documents: Shred sensitive documents with personal information at UPS Store or FedEx locations.
What NOT to Move to Florida
If you’re relocating to Orlando from out of state, leave these behind:
Winter Gear: Heavy coats and snow boots have limited use in Orlando’s climate. Keep one light jacket, donate the rest.
Heavy Furniture: Orlando’s humidity can damage certain wood furniture. If pieces are inexpensive or in poor condition, consider replacing them.
Expired or Opened Food: Use up, donate, or dispose of pantry items before moving.
Propane Tanks: Movers won’t transport them due to safety regulations.
The Psychology of Letting Go
Take Photos: Photograph sentimental items before donating. You’ll preserve the memory without storing the object.
The “Maybe” Box Test: Pack uncertain items in a box, seal it, and date it. If you haven’t opened it in three months, donate it unopened.
Remember the Goal: Every item you eliminate means less to pack, move, and unpack. You’re gaining freedom and saving money.
How Decluttering Affects Your Moving Quote
When you contact Orlando Express Movers for a quote, the size and weight of your move directly impacts the price. We consider:
- Total volume of items
- Estimated weight of belongings
- Number of movers needed
- Truck size required
- Estimated time to complete the move
A decluttered home means a more accurate quote and often a lower price.
Start Fresh in Your New Orlando Home
Moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to reset and keep only what adds value to your life. The items you eliminate won’t just save you moving costs—they’ll give you a cleaner, more organized start in your new home.
Ready to Move Lighter and Save Money?
At Orlando Express Movers, we’ve seen how much easier moves become when families take time to declutter first. We’re happy to provide guidance on what’s worth moving and what might be better left behind.
Contact Orlando Express Movers today for a free quote. Tell us about your move, and we’ll provide an honest assessment of how decluttering could reduce your moving costs.
Call us to schedule your estimate and start your move on the right foot—with less stuff and more savings.