Every move is a chance to start fresh, and the less you haul, the cheaper, faster, and less stressful the whole process gets. Here's how to decide what to keep, what to get rid of, and the practical logistics for making it happen in the Twin Cities.
Why It Pays to Purge Before You Move
Movers charge by weight or by time, so every item you don't take is money saved. Beyond cost, a lighter load also means fewer boxes to pack, fewer boxes to unpack, and less stuff cluttering your new home on day one.
A good rule: if you haven't used something in a year and wouldn't buy it today, it's probably not worth moving.
The 5-Pile Method
Go room by room and sort everything into one of five piles:
- Keep: you use it, love it, or genuinely need it.
- Donate: usable items you no longer want.
- Sell: items with meaningful resale value.
- Recycle: electronics, batteries, cardboard, scrap metal.
- Trash: broken, worn out, or not worth donating.
Start with easy categories (clothes, books, kitchen gadgets) before tackling sentimental territory (photos, keepsakes, inherited items).
What to Sell vs. Donate
Worth selling: furniture in good condition, appliances under 10 years old, tools, power equipment, bikes, collectibles, gently used children's gear (strollers, cribs), electronics that still work.
Easier to donate: clothes (unless designer), books (hard to sell in bulk), kitchenware, older electronics, decor.
Platforms that work well in the Twin Cities: Facebook Marketplace for furniture and larger items, OfferUp and Craigslist for appliances and tools, Poshmark or ThredUp for higher-end clothing. For quick turnover, price things 30–40% below what you'd pay new.
Where to Donate in the Twin Cities
- Goodwill: accepts clothing, household goods, small appliances. Multiple locations across the metro.
- Salvation Army: similar items, plus free pickup for larger furniture in many ZIP codes.
- Bridging: furniture specifically for families transitioning out of homelessness. Call to schedule pickup.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: appliances, building materials, cabinets, doors, furniture.
- Arc's Value Village: clothing and household donations benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Tip: most charities won't accept items with rips, stains, or missing parts. When in doubt, call first.
What to Never Move (Just Don't)
- Open food except non-perishables
- Cleaning chemicals, paint, propane, gasoline (movers can't legally transport these)
- Old mattresses you've been "meaning to replace." A new one at the new house is a better investment than moving a 12-year-old one
- Broken electronics you've been holding onto "in case they're worth something"
Handling Hazardous and Hard-to-Toss Items
- Paint, solvents, chemicals: Take to your county's Household Hazardous Waste facility (Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, and St. Croix counties all have free drop-offs).
- Electronics: Best Buy has free e-waste recycling for most items. Ramsey County also runs e-waste events.
- Mattresses: Many mattress retailers offer haul-away with a new purchase. Otherwise, try Better Futures Minnesota for donation pickup.
- Large volume junk: Pro junk removal services (like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, College Hunks, or local haulers) typically cost $200–700 for a truckload. Worth it when you have more than a pickup-load of stuff.
Timing: When to Start Purging
- 8 weeks out: Seasonal stuff, clothes, books, basement/attic items.
- 6 weeks out: Kitchen gadgets, duplicate tools, garage contents.
- 4 weeks out: Donate anything you've sorted. Schedule pickups for large furniture.
- 2 weeks out: Last pass through the bathroom, junk drawers, and paperwork.
- 1 week out: Final junk haul if needed.
Don't try to do it all in the final week. Decluttering takes emotional energy, and you'll want that energy for the move itself.
The Bottom Line
A smaller load saves you money, time, and frustration. Every box you don't pack is a box you don't unpack. Every piece of furniture you don't move is one less thing to manage on a busy day.
Ready to start planning your move? Get a free quote from Quality Moving & Storage. We've helped Twin Cities families move efficiently since 1994, and we're happy to point you toward local junk haulers and donation services we trust.
