Spring Decluttering Before Your Move: A Room-by-Room Plan

The best thing you can do before a move is get rid of stuff you don't need. Every box you don't pack is time saved, money saved, and space gained in your new home. Spring is the perfect time to declutter — before the busy summer moving season hits.

The 12-Month Rule

For most items, ask yourself: "Have I used this in the past 12 months?" If the answer is no, and it doesn't have sentimental or seasonal value, it's a candidate for donation, selling, or recycling.

Room-by-Room Decluttering Plan

Kitchen (Start Here — It Takes the Longest)

• Expired food and spices — check every shelf, drawer, and the back of the fridge
• Duplicate utensils and gadgets — how many spatulas do you really need?
• Mismatched containers and lids
• Small appliances you haven't used in a year (bread maker, juicer, fondue set)
• Chipped or stained dishes, mugs with broken handles

Closets and Bedrooms

• Clothes that don't fit or haven't been worn in a year
• Old shoes and accessories
• Worn-out bedding and towels (animal shelters accept these!)
• Books you've read and won't read again

Garage and Basement

• This is where the biggest savings happen — garages and basements accumulate decades of stuff
• Old paint cans (Calgary has a hazardous waste round-up program)
• Broken tools and equipment
• Sports equipment that's outgrown or unused
• Holiday decorations you no longer use

Home Office

• Old paperwork (shred sensitive documents)
• Dead electronics and cables to nowhere
• Outdated software and manuals

What to Do with Your Stuff

• Sell: Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji are huge in Calgary. Price items to sell fast — you want them gone before moving day
• Donate: Goodwill, Calgary Drop-In Centre, Women's Emergency Shelter, Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Many offer pickup for larger items
• Recycle: Calgary's blue bin program covers most recyclables. Electronics go to designated e-waste depots. The City's throw-n-go events accept large items
• Dispose: Calgary has three landfill sites that accept household waste for a fee. Hazardous materials go to designated collection events