Decluttering Checklist Before a Move: What to Keep, Donate, and Toss

Decluttering before a move is one of the highest-leverage activities you can do. It reduces your moving cost, cuts packing time, and ensures you arrive at your new home with only what genuinely adds value to your life.

This checklist walks you through every room in a typical home with specific item categories and a simple framework for each decision: Keep, Donate, or Toss. Print it out, work through each room, and mark your decisions as you go.

How to Use This Checklist

For each item category, apply the following decision criteria:

KEEP if: You've used it in the past 12 months, it holds genuine sentimental value, it has a clear place in the new home, or it would cost more to replace than to move.

DONATE if: The item is in good condition but you no longer need it, someone else would benefit from it, or you have duplicates.

TOSS if: The item is broken, expired, damaged, incomplete, has no resale or donation value, or is simply not worth the effort to process any other way.

Kitchen Checklist

Appliances

• [ ] Toaster / toaster oven — used regularly? Keep; otherwise Donate
• [ ] Blender — used in the past year? Keep; otherwise Donate
• [ ] Juicer — actually used? Keep; otherwise Donate
• [ ] Stand mixer — do you bake? Keep; otherwise Donate
• [ ] Coffee maker — duplicates? Keep one, Donate the rest
• [ ] Specialty appliances (quesadilla maker, waffle iron, etc.) — used in the past year? Keep; otherwise Donate
• [ ] Broken or non-working appliances — Toss or recycle (Best Buy e-waste)

Cookware and Bakeware

• [ ] Duplicate pots and pans — Keep the best set, Donate duplicates
• [ ] Damaged non-stick pans — Toss (scratched non-stick coatings are a health concern)
• [ ] Bakeware you've never used — Donate
• [ ] Specialty bakeware (bundt pans, springform pans) — used? Keep; otherwise Donate

Dishes and Glassware

• [ ] Chipped or cracked dishes — Toss
• [ ] Duplicate sets — Keep what you use, Donate the excess
• [ ] Glassware you never use — Donate
• [ ] Mugs (most homes have too many) — Keep 6–8, Donate the rest
• [ ] Seasonal or party dishes (used once a year or less) — Keep if storage allows, Donate if not

Pantry and Food

• [ ] Expired spices — Toss
• [ ] Expired dry goods — Toss
• [ ] Open dry goods you won't use before moving day — Donate to a food bank
• [ ] Pantry items with more than a few months until expiration — Keep (moving companies can transport shelf-stable, sealed items)
• [ ] Half-used condiments — Toss (not worth moving)

Utensils and Tools

• [ ] Duplicate utensils (spatulas, wooden spoons, etc.) — Keep 2 of each type, Donate extras
• [ ] Single-use gadgets (avocado slicer, corn stripper, etc.) — Be honest: Donate if unused
• [ ] Broken or damaged utensils — Toss

Bedroom and Closet Checklist

Clothing

• [ ] Items not worn in the past 12 months — Donate
• [ ] Items that don't fit — Donate
• [ ] Worn, damaged, or stained clothing — Toss
• [ ] Duplicate basics (5 identical black t-shirts) — Keep 2–3, Donate the rest
• [ ] Seasonal clothing not appropriate for LA climate — Evaluate; Donate if climate won't change

Shoes

• [ ] Worn-out or uncomfortable shoes — Toss
• [ ] Shoes not worn in the past year — Donate
• [ ] Duplicates of the same style — Keep the best pair, Donate the rest

Accessories

• [ ] Bags and purses not used in the past year — Donate
• [ ] Broken jewelry — Repair or Toss
• [ ] Jewelry you never wear — Donate or sell

Bedding and Linens

• [ ] Extra sheet sets beyond 2–3 per bed — Donate
• [ ] Worn, pilled, or stained linens — Toss
• [ ] Extra pillows beyond what you actively use — Donate
• [ ] Comforters or duvets you don't use — Donate

Books (Bedroom)

• [ ] Books you've read and won't read again — Donate to Little Free Library or used bookstores
• [ ] Books you intend to read "someday" but have owned for 3+ years — Be honest; Donate
• [ ] Damaged or incomplete books — Toss

Living Room Checklist

Furniture

• [ ] Furniture not right for the new floor plan — Sell on Facebook Marketplace, or Donate
• [ ] Duplicate seating or storage pieces — Sell or Donate
• [ ] Worn, damaged, or unstylish furniture — Assess repair cost vs. replacement; may be Toss/Donate

Media and Entertainment

• [ ] DVDs and Blu-rays — Stream most content? Sell or Donate the collection
• [ ] CDs — Donate to thrift stores or sell
• [ ] VHS tapes — Toss (most are worthless)
• [ ] Gaming equipment no longer in use — Sell or Donate
• [ ] Outdated electronics (old iPods, early-generation tablets) — Recycle at Best Buy e-waste

Décor and Accessories

• [ ] Decorative items you've never loved — Donate
• [ ] Duplicate candles, vases, or throws — Keep your favorites, Donate the rest
• [ ] Picture frames without photos — Donate

Home Office Checklist

Papers and Documents

• [ ] Documents older than 7 years (bank statements, old tax returns) — Shred
• [ ] Warranties for items you no longer own — Toss
• [ ] Duplicate copies of documents — Shred
• [ ] Old magazines or catalogs — Recycle
• [ ] Important documents (birth certificates, passports, wills, insurance) — Keep, scan digitally, and transport personally

Supplies

• [ ] Excess pens, pencils, markers — Donate to schools
• [ ] Old notebooks or binders — Recycle
• [ ] Broken equipment — Toss or recycle

Electronics

• [ ] Orphaned cables without devices — Toss or recycle
• [ ] Broken or outdated electronics — Best Buy e-waste or LA County e-waste program
• [ ] Printers you no longer use — Donate or recycle

Garage Checklist

Tools

• [ ] Duplicate tools — Keep the best, Donate or sell the rest
• [ ] Broken tools — Toss
• [ ] Tools for activities or projects you've abandoned — Sell or Donate

Sports and Recreation

• [ ] Equipment for sports you no longer play — Donate or sell
• [ ] Duplicate equipment (three sets of golf clubs) — Keep one, sell extras
• [ ] Damaged or unusable gear — Toss

Storage and Miscellaneous

• [ ] Holiday decorations you don't use — Donate
• [ ] Boxes from appliances you no longer own — Recycle
• [ ] Hazardous materials (paint, solvents, pesticides) — Dispose at LA County HHW facility
• [ ] Furniture or household items you've been "storing" for years — Be honest; most of it should Donate or Toss

Donation Resources in Los Angeles

• Goodwill: Multiple locations throughout LA; accepts clothing, furniture (some restrictions), housewares, and electronics
• The Salvation Army: Accepts furniture and large-item donations with free pickup scheduling
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Accepts furniture, building materials, appliances, and home goods
• LA Food Bank / SOVA: Accepts non-expired, shelf-stable food donations
• Buy Nothing Facebook Groups: Great for local giving to neighbors in your exact community
• Little Free Libraries: Drop off books at neighborhood libraries throughout LA

After You've Decluttered

Once you've worked through this checklist and cleared out what you don't need, you're in the best possible position to pack efficiently — or to call in professional support.

LuxeMove's team can handle full-service packing once your home has been decluttered, ensuring everything that remains is packed and transported with care. Visit our services page to learn more, or contact us to schedule a pre-move consultation.