Getting ready for a big move means more than boxing up dishes. One of the most important steps is clearing out your fridge, freezer, pantry, and any other place you store food. Before moving day arrives, take time to sort through all the food in your home so you are not transporting items that should be used, donated, or thrown away.
At Isaac’s Moving & Storage, we understand that preparation is a big part of a smoother relocation and with decades of moving experience, our team can help you stay organized through every stage of the process, including the small details that can make moving day easier.
How to Clear Out Your Food Before Moving
Sort Food Into Three Categories Before You Pack
A good key step is to divide everything into three categories:
First, keep the food items you can still eat before the move. Second, set aside shelf-stable items you plan to bring with you to your new home. Third, throw away or get rid of any expired items, spoiled groceries, or anything that is too risky to transport.
Start with the refrigerator and check all condiments, produce, and leftovers. Then move on to the freezer and sort through any frozen food, including vegetables, soups, bread, and other meals you may have forgotten about. After that, inspect the pantry and other food storage areas for dry goods like pasta, rice, spices, cereal, and baking supplies. It is easy to be surprised by how much stuff builds up over the years. Check every closet, basement shelf, and backup food storage space.
This is also a smart time to create an inventory of what is left so you can plan simple meals for the final days before the move. Using up food before you relocate helps reduce waste and cuts down on the number of food boxes you need to pack.
Clean the Refrigerator and Prepare Frozen Items for Moving Day
Once you have sorted through the food, empty the refrigerator completely and remove all detachable shelves and trays. Toss any leftover food that you’ll not consume, and be especially careful with dairy, meat, and thawing frozen items. Check your schedule, because defrosting can take a few hours or, in some cases, overnight.
Turn off the refrigerator, unplug it, and place towels around the base to catch water. Be sure to place spillable items somewhere safe before you begin so they do not leak onto the floor. In the morning, empty the tray, wash the inside with mild soap and water, and dry it thoroughly. Leave the door open for at least an hour so everything can air out before the appliance is moved.
As you pack up the rest of the kitchen, use medium sized boxes for heavy items like canned goods, and reserve larger boxes for lighter items. Keep resealable bags, and wrapping materials nearby for loose or opened pantry items. For fragile kitchen contents or anything breakable, use bubble wrap and secure packing materials to reduce the risk of damage. If you need to pack appliances like blenders, toasters, or mixers, make sure they are empty, clean, and packed separately from loose food.
Plan Meals, Grocery Shopping, and Snacks for the Entire Day
In the final weeks before the move, try to shop with a plan. Limit grocery shopping to only what your household really needs and make a simple shopping list based on easy recipes that use up what you already have. This helps you avoid buying extra food that will only need to be packed, thrown away, or hurriedly eaten at the last minute.
Think about breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the entire day of your move. Set aside easy options your family can grab quickly, especially if you have kids in the house. Sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, and drinks can help everyone take a quick break without interrupting the move. A little planning goes a long way when you are balancing packing, loading, and last-minute cooking decisions.
When moving-day finally rolls around, you’ll want to make sure that you’re well rested and well fed for the big day. Don’t forget to set aside a few granola bars and a few pre-made PB&J sandwiches to keep your energy high throughout the day. Trust us, you’ll need it!
Choose Isaac’s Moving and Storage For a Stress-Free Moving Day
Clearing out your fridge, pantry, and freezer before moving day can make the move easier from start to finish. It helps reduce waste, prevents leaks and spoiled food in transit, and gives you less to deal with once you arrive.
When it is time to move, Isaac’s Moving and Storage is here to help. As a trusted local moving company, we have provided moving and storage solutions to more than 100,000 customers over the past 25 years. With experienced movers, reliable moving services, and modern storage facilities, we support you at every stage of the move.To learn more about our moving and storage services or to speak with our team about your upcoming move, contact Isaac’s today.
