A junk checklist can save you fees, stress, and time before you hand the keys over. Landlords and buyers expect uncluttered spaces, clear pathways, and nothing left behind. Now use this easy list to go room-by-room and keep things in check. So you won’t find yourself scrambling on moving day. A clean hand-over will also protect your deposit, and it will keep buyers focused on the home rather than what you left behind. On moving day, make a final sweep left-to-right and top-to-bottom in each space to ensure nothing is hiding on a top shelf or behind a door.
Kitchen Appliances and Cookware
Kitchens have more “forgotten” items than any other rooms (Think back-of-the-cabinet lids, chipped mugs from high school, and those blenders you planned on fixing). Unplug cleaning small appliances early in the packing process so they dry and are safe to move. If you have heavy or broken appliances, consider professional appliance removal Spokane Valley to spare any catastrophe to your floors, walls, or doorframes.
- Clean out the fridge and freezer, defrost, and clean the shelves and seals.
- Empty the microwave, toaster oven, and coffee maker and remove any loose trays and carafes.
- Sort through your pots, pans, and lids, and discard warped or peeling non-stick items.
- Box dishes by type, donate orphaned mugs and duplicate utensils.
- Throw out expired pantry items and wipe out cabinets to deter pests and other unwelcome guests.
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Bedroom and Closet Items
Bedrooms fill with soft goods which take up space quickly! Start by doing a laundry pass: wash/dry and donate any clean extras while you still have access to a washing machine. Wrap seasonal clothing in clear, labeled bags so you can know what you’re keeping. Don’t forget to set aside a “first-night” bag with pajamas, cellphone and tablet chargers, and medications so the necessities don’t get buried. Things like mattresses and box springs often have an extra layer of rules when disposing of them; most buildings will have regulations about how you should dispose of them so you don’t leave the items on the curb, which could lead to violations.
If you’re clearing a whole place for a sale or move-out inspection, you should clear the space like a property cleanout. Clear out all the nightstands, under-bed storage bins, and the tops of dressers. Whatever hangers you don’t want, remove them. Any borrowed items, return them. Vacuum closet floors so that you don’t bring dust bunnies to your next house. Put larger blankets in vacuum sealed bags so they will be cut in half and easier to haul or to take.
Garage and Basement Junk
Most garages and basements end up as a dumping ground for heavy, awkward junk—the perfect stuff to slow down moving day. Walk through the space with a marker and sticky notes and tag things “keep,” “donate,” and “trash.” If you have large, unmanageable piles or a time crunch, a junk hauling service is often the fastest way to get to a clean slate.
- Bundle scrap lumber and label separately treated wood that will need to be disposed.
- Collect old paint, stains, and solvents and check your city for hazardous drop-off requirements.
- Box any e-waste (tangled cords, old VCRs, dead printers) and take it to be recycled at a proper recycle center. Click here to know more about e-waste classification.
- For tools, keep the working sets, recycle duplicate hand tools, recycle broken hand tools.” • If you have leftover bricks, tile or drywall, find out about construction debris options.
When things are too heavy, roll them with a two-wheel dolly, and keep aisles free of debris to avoid tripping.
Yard Cleanup Before Moving
It’s hard to deny that curb appeal counts—especially when you’re in a move-out inspection. Trim grass and hedges, pick up leaves and bag them up, and coil up hoses so that your yard appears neat and safe. Walk the property and be sure to pick up any “hidden” items: cracked planters, children’s toys, and rusty grills. Bag and label your yard waste according to city guidelines to avoid a rejected curbside pickup.
If you’ve got a rotting shed, a tattered gazebo, or a broken hot tub, think about doing some light demolition to remove the unsafe structure before someone trips, and before the buyer asks you to fix it. Sweep patios and porches, clear gutters if it’s safe and accessible, and check for wind-blown trash on the side of your house. A quick pressure wash on the walkways may help you leave it better than you found it.
Donation and Recycling Before Trash
The less you throw out, the less you pay—and the less you waste, and the better you feel about moving. Plan to make a donation run 7–10 days before moving. That way you won’t have to throw out usable items on the last night. Call ahead to make sure you know what to bring to each charity so that you don’t end up loading items that will be refused. If you are clearing out a relative’s house or planning a estate sale, a charity pick-up combined with estate clean-out can move mountains in less than a day.
- Get extra bags for any clean clothing, linens, and small furniture set aside for a charity drop-off.
- Stop by a local recycling center with the cardboard, glass and plastics.
- Recycle broken lawn tools, metal shelving, and old grills for scrap.
- Use city services for all paint, batteries, and chemicals. Don’t throw them in your household trash. Follow this page https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw for hazardous waste.
- Drop off laptops, phones, and TVs to certified e-waste drop-offs to keep your data safe.
Keep your donation receipts in the moving folder for possible tax deductions post-move.
A good junk checklist can keep you on time, save you money, and help your old place shine for the next person. Focus on working one area at a time, starting with the biggest space thieves, or disposal are the hardest. If you are still unsure, call in the pros to do your heavy lift, or your specialty disposals, and you’ll hand over the keys with confidence!
