Spring Cleaning and PCS Prep: Decluttering Tips for Military Families 

From MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc. 

Spring cleaning is a tradition that many people look forward to every year. It’s a time to open the windows, let in the fresh air, and declutter spaces that may have piled too high during the long winter months. 

But for military families, spring cleaning can have an added layer of meaning: PCS season. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves are, at their most basic level, an intense spring cleaning that forces families to assess everything they own. 

Whether you’re prepping for a military relocation or just wanting to make your next PCS a little easier, these spring cleaning and PCS prep tips will help you get organized, reduce stress, and make the transition smoother.

Start Early: Don’t Wait for the Official Orders

Don’t wait until you receive orders to start the decluttering process. Most families know they’re moving even if they don’t know the specifics that orders provide.

So, give yourself a leg up and use this opportunity to eliminate unused or unnecessary items.

That way, when the military PCS orders drop, you won’t be overwhelmed with a mountain of stuff standing between you and all the paperwork that needs doing to execute the move.

Sort by Categories, Not Rooms

Don’t fall into the trap of decluttering room by room. Tackle your household belongings one category at a time.

This method allows you to sort similar items together, identify duplicates, and prevent you from overlooking areas like a bin of clothes in the garage.

Start by going through all your clothes and shoes in one go. Next, focus on your books, electronics, kitchenware, and so on.

This system will help you better assess what you own in each category, making it easier to decide what stays and what goes.

If You Haven’t Used It, Get Rid of It

Be ruthless and take an honest inventory of what you actually use and what’s taking up space. Items you haven’t used in the past six months or even a year are prime candidates for donation, sale, or trash.

Involve the kids.

Having the entire family help with sorting and organizing can also create a sense of ownership as they evaluate their toys and outgrown clothes and pass them on to people they know will feel joy by having them.

While it’s difficult to part with sentimental items, remember that your new home may not have as much square footage or built-in storage as your current one, so it’s better to sort these items now. 

While some meaningful items may hold emotional value, it may not be practical to cart them across the country or overseas. If you’re downsizing, consider storing them with a family member to ensure they’re cared for.  

Sell or Donate Items Early

Once you’ve sorted everything and determined their destination, get it out. Consider hosting a yard sale, listing items for sale using online platforms, or donating gently used items to charity.

Doing this early in the process reduces your workload as your move date approaches, allowing you to shift focus to the items you’re keeping and, ultimately, onto the house. 

Take Inventory of What You’re Keeping

Now, you can focus on what’s left. Create an inventory of what you’re keeping. Keep a detailed list of valuable items, their condition, and any special handling requirements before the movers arrive.

This inventory will help you when filing insurance claims and reporting damage for reimbursement.

If you’re doing a Do-It-Yourself (DITY)/ Personally-Procured Move (PPM), this inventory can serve as a packing list to help you stay organized as you pack and load. 

Prep the House for Vacancy 

After tending to your household goods, you can move on to cleaning. Cleaning ceiling fans, scrubbing baseboards, and wiping down walls are small tasks that will make your move-out clean a little lighter.

If you’re prepping your house to sell, you can use this time to do the minor updates necessary to make your home marketable and move-in ready, leaving the final clean for the day your house is empty. 

Spring cleaning can be a cathartic, refreshing experience for any household, but for military families, it’s more than just tidying up—it’s about preparing for your next chapter.

Decluttering early makes your PCS move easier and lays the groundwork for a fresh, organized start at your new duty station. With these tips, you’ll be ready to embrace your new home with less stress and more clarity. 

*Read more from Military By Owner or check out their MM Expert Page.