Moving forces a decision on every item you own. That pressure is a gift. The less you pack, the less you pay, and the faster you settle into your new place.
Decluttering before a move in Dallas/Fort Worth saves real money. Movers charge by weight and truck space. Fewer boxes also mean fewer packing supplies and less time on the clock. Most families find they can cut one to two hours off their move by purging before packing day.
Start at least four to six weeks before your move date. Tackle one room per week. Sort everything into four groups: keep, donate, sell, and trash. If you have not used it in 12 months, it probably should not make the trip.
Here are 10 things to get rid of before you move in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Here are 10 things to get rid of before you move in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
1. Stained and Chipped Coffee Mugs
You may love the #1 MOM mug you got when Junior was three, the one now missing its handle. Or that college mug that got you through all-nighters. But now is the time to re-consider their place in your life.
You are not alone. Everyone hoards coffee cups in their kitchen cabinets. Break the cycle now and start over with a simple set in the new place. Chipped ceramic can also harbor bacteria in the cracks, so tossing them is a health call, not just a space call.
2. Old Clothing
If you have not worn it in one year, that is a full season of clothing, so get rid of it. Donate it, give it to a family member, or trash it if it has holes or stains.
Go through your closet with a critical eye. The more clothing you remove, the more room you save with boxes and drawers, and the more you save on moving costs.
Good places to donate clothing in the Dallas/Fort Worth area:
Tip: Keep donation receipts. Charitable donations are tax-deductible, which can help offset your moving expenses.
3. Old Decorative Pillows
If you have been collecting decorative pillows for years, it is time to let them go. Pillows collect dust, dust mites, saliva, and food stains from daily use. Washing helps, but older pillows lose their shape and support.
The same goes for throw blankets with stains or pulls. If you would not put it out for a guest, do not pay to move it.
4. Unwanted DVDs, CDs, and Old Media Players
Many of us still have drawers packed with old DVDs and CDs. Streaming has replaced most of them. Sell them to a reseller, list them on Facebook Marketplace, or host a garage sale. Same goes for books you will never read again.
While you are at it, toss the old media players, tangled cords, and mystery cables that go with them. If you cannot identify what a cable connects to, you do not need it.
5. Old Paint
Most professional movers will not load paint on their trucks. It is classified as a hazardous item. You also cannot throw liquid paint in the trash. Texas Health & Safety Code §365.012 makes it illegal to put liquid paint in residential carts.
How to dispose of paint in DFW:
- Fort Worth residents: Bring cans to the Environmental Collection Center at 6400 Bridge Street. Open Thursday and Friday 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM. Bring a valid driver’s license. Limit: 20 gallons per 90-day period.
- Dallas County residents: Use the Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center at 11234 Plano Road. Open Tuesday 9 AM to 7:30 PM and Wednesday 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Bring a utility bill and ID.
- Small amounts of latex paint: Let it dry completely in the can (or mix in cat litter to speed it up), then put the open can in your regular trash.
If you want to leave a can or two of matching paint for the new homeowners, label the cans with the room and color name. They will thank you.
6. Expired Medications
Everyone has a medicine cabinet with old prescriptions and expired bottles. The FDA recommends looking into community-based drug take-back programs first. Many pharmacies in DFW, including CVS and Walgreens locations, now have permanent collection bins in-store.
If no take-back option is available near you, the FDA says most medications can be mixed with coffee grounds or dirt, sealed in a bag, and placed in the trash. A small number of medications can be flushed. Check the FDA’s flush list before disposing.
Do not pack medications for the move unless they are current prescriptions you actively use. Expired drugs lose effectiveness, and some become harmful over time.
7. Out-of-Date Electronics
From old tablets and phones to dead chargers and laptops, many electronics in your home are dead weight. Check if each item still works. If not, it goes.
Do not throw electronics in the trash. E-waste contains lead, mercury, and cadmium that contaminate soil and water. Dallas and Fort Worth both prohibit e-waste in residential bins.
Free e-waste recycling in DFW:
- DFW Electronics Recycling offers free drop-off locations across the metroplex.
- Time to Recycle locator lists recycling centers in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Lewisville, and Denton.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept working electronics less than five years old.
Important: Wipe all personal data from phones, tablets, and laptops before recycling. A factory reset is the minimum. For hard drives, consider a certified data destruction service.
8. Expired Pantry Items and Old Spices
This one gets overlooked. Open your pantry and check expiration dates on canned goods, condiments, baking supplies, and spice jars. Ground spices lose potency after about three years. That cumin from 2019 is just dust at this point.
Expired food is dead weight on a moving truck. Toss it now. Donate unexpired, unopened non-perishables to the North Texas Food Bank or your local community pantry.
9. Worn-Out Towels, Sheets, and Linens
Towels that have lost their absorbency and sheets with elastic that no longer grips are not worth moving. If you would not put them out for a guest, they should not earn a spot in a moving box.
Local animal shelters in DFW often accept old towels and blankets as bedding. Call ahead to check what they need.
Also check your bed size. If you are upgrading from a queen to a king in the new house, your current sheets will not fit. Donate them before the move instead of stuffing them in a closet.
10. Paper Clutter and Old Documents
Junk mail, old magazines, expired warranties, and outdated manuals pile up fast. Go through your filing cabinets and desk drawers. The IRS recommends keeping tax returns and supporting documents for three to seven years depending on the situation. Anything older can be shredded.
Shred documents with personal information, including account numbers, Social Security numbers, and medical records. Many office supply stores in DFW offer shredding services. You can also check if your city hosts periodic community shredding events.
Pro tip: Scan important documents to a cloud drive before shredding. You save the information without moving the paper.
Sell It Before You Toss It
Before you send everything to the curb, consider turning clutter into cash. A garage sale or online listing can offset your moving costs. Here are a few options:
- Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor work well for furniture, appliances, and electronics.
- OfferUp and Mercari are popular for clothing, shoes, and smaller items.
- Host a garage sale the weekend before your move. Price to sell, not to keep.
Anything that does not sell goes straight to a donation center. Do not bring it back inside.
Items Your Movers Cannot Transport
Before packing day, set aside anything your moving company cannot legally or safely load. Common items that movers will not transport include:
- Liquid paint and stains
- Propane tanks and lighter fluid
- Ammunition and firearms (varies by company)
- Pesticides and pool chemicals
- Perishable food
- Houseplants (for long-distance moves across state lines)
Dispose of these items separately using the DFW resources listed above. If you are unsure about a specific item, ask your movers during the estimate.
Schedule Your DFW Move Today
Once you have finished decluttering, you are ready for the next step. Olde World Movers handles local residential moves, long-distance relocations, and commercial moves across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. We also offer professional packing services and climate-controlled storage if you need a place for belongings between homes.
Moving valuable items like antiques, fine art, or a piano? Our team specializes in piano and antique moving with the care those pieces require.
Contact Olde World Movers or get a free estimate to lock in your move date.
