Moving House Decluttering
by TheLorry on 29 July 2025.
The release papers have been signed, the cleaners are coming to do one final sweep and it’s almost time to bid adieu to the place you once called your humble abode. The lorry for hire honks aloud at the gate signaling its arrival while you magnificently find yourself standing in a mountain of clutter. An ounce of separation anxiety with morsels of items you once considered your gems begin to sweep through your mind. You find yourself swimming in piles of clothes, household appliances, furniture and the lot. To Keep or Not to Keep? That is the question that tugs at everyone’s hearts when moving spaces.
As they say, one man’s junk is another mans treasure.
Before the movers come and remove all the carefully marked boxes, let us help you with great means to de-clutter your home before that all-important move.
1. Sort Your Stuff Systematically
It’s as simple as A,B,C..literally. Set up three bins or boxes and label them:
-
A = Keep
-
B = Throw
-
C = Donate/Sell
Ask yourself: Have I used this in the last 6 months? If the answer is no, then it doesn’t belong in your new space.
When in doubt on whether to keep an item, always ask yourself if you can picture yourself using that item in the next 6 months. If the answer is no, then out it goes. If you decide to bring along the broken, rusty treadmill that has been sitting in the garage as a functional clothes dryer, think twice. You are starting anew in a fresh, new space. Go room by room and identify what items are unsalvageable, broken or spoilt- these items all go into bin B. Goods and clothes that are still in good working condition that you don’t see yourself using or wearing in the next 6 months should all go into Bin C.
Avoid dragging sentimental clutter like your broken treadmill-turned-clothes-hanger to your fresh, new home. This is your opportunity to let go of the old and start anew. Go room by room, categorize every item, and be ruthless—but thoughtful.
💡 Pro Tip: For furniture or large item disposal, check out our Disposal Service to save time and effort.
2. Recycle Bins
Go green and sort out your trash. Think of it as doing your part for the environment- after all, moving houses can equate to piles of rubbish and imagine that rubbish not going to any good use. Sort out your plastic, paper, aluminum and glass containers and take them to the nearest local community-recycling center. Some also trade in these for cash. Alternatively, hail down your friendly “old newspaper man” and trade in stacks of old newspaper, papers, magazines and cardboard boxes for some spare change.
Moving often results in huge amounts of trash. But not all trash is trash. Recycling helps reduce environmental waste and gives your items a second life. Separate plastics, glass, aluminum, and paper. Then, locate a nearby recycling center, or call your local “newspaper uncle” who’ll happily trade your recyclables for a few extra ringgit.
If you’re short on time, consider our On-Demand Lori Sewa for quick pick-ups and recycling drop-offs. Book here.
3. Charity Bins
Most charity bins accept all sorts of items ranging from clothing to household and electrical items. If you decide to donate your old items, be considerate to the next owner by ensuring that your donated goods are in good condition. For clothing items, refrain from donating used undergarments or items, which are soiled and stained that cannot be removed as well as torn, irreparable clothing. Ensure that electrical appliances are in good working condition and all parts are intact by testing that they work using an electrical point.
If you’re planning to give items away, that’s fantastic. Just be sure you’re donating usable, clean, and safe items.
-
No torn or soiled clothes
-
No broken appliances
-
No single shoes or missing cords
Test all electronics before donating. Think of it this way: would you give it to a friend? If not, it’s better off recycled or disposed of responsibly.
4. Convert Your Junk to Cash Digitally
In modern times, one does not need to lug a truckload of stuff to the nearest cash converters to trade off his past life for cash. Download mobile applications on your smartphones that are tailored towards the consumer to sell or buy and look out for C2C marketplace apps. Register an account, snap away and determine how much you want to sell your items. You will be surprised that a little goes a long way, especially if you have many items to trade off.
There’s gold in your clutter—you just need to mine it.
Platforms like Carousell, Mudah.my, and Facebook Marketplace are perfect for selling gently used items. Snap clear photos, write honest descriptions, and set fair prices. You’ll be surprised at how fast things move.
This can be a fun project for teens or family members helping you pack. Every ringgit earned goes back into making your move smoother.
5. Have a Party
Before the moving trucks come in, call your friends and family over for one final farewell. If you have items such as bulky furniture, crockery or goods, which you couldn’t sell or give away; let your friends call dibs on them and have them take them away as a party gift. There is no better new home for your pre-loved items than in the trusted hands of your loved ones. Before you close your door one last time, why not host a farewell party? Invite friends and family, share stories, and—here’s the best part—let them “shop” your unused items!
From furniture to dishes, let loved ones take what they want. It’s a win-win: you de-clutter, and your items go to people you care about.
👉 Planning a cross-border move to Singapore or back? Explore our Cross-Border Service to move stress-free.
Use a Professional House Moving Package
Sometimes, decluttering is only half the battle. Packing and transporting is a beast of its own. With TheLorry’s House Moving Package, we take care of everything—trucks, manpower, and even disposal if needed. No hidden fees, no stress. Just a smooth move.
Feeling overwhelmed with your upcoming move? Whether you’re decluttering a studio apartment or a landed home, let TheLorry help you move smarter, faster, and greener. Check out our:
🎯 Get started today at TheLorry.com – Your move, our mission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
MY – EN
Singapore
Indonesia