Are you a military family preparing for a PCS move? These PCS decluttering tips can help make the process smoother and less stressful. According to a 2019 National Military Family Association survey, 72% of military families say that decluttering ahead of a PCS move reduces stress and helps them feel more in control. By following these PCS decluttering tips, you can stay organized and streamline your move, making the transition easier for the whole family.
In this post, I’m sharing 10 essential PCS decluttering tips specifically for military families preparing for a PCS move. You can also grab my FREE 10-day declutter checklist to help you stay focused and organized during your move.
Plus, for more military-specific decluttering and organizing tips, make sure to check out my YouTube channel for helpful videos on managing military life:
Tip #1: Start Early with a Decluttering Plan
Decluttering before a PCS move can be overwhelming, especially with all the other tasks on your to-do list. Starting early and making a plan is crucial for success. Begin at least 8 weeks before your move to allow yourself time to declutter each room and ensure nothing gets left behind. If you’re unsure where to start, break down the process into smaller, more manageable tasks like sorting through one room or even one drawer per day.
By tackling it bit by bit, you’ll be more likely to stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, the earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to evaluate what to donate, sell, or toss, making your move that much smoother.
PCS Decluttering Tip #2: Involve your family
When decluttering for your PCS move, it’s essential to involve the whole family in the process. Each family member should have a say in what stays and what goes. This approach helps kids feel empowered, teaching them valuable decision-making skills and instilling a sense of responsibility. Encouraging everyone to organize their belongings helps prevent feelings of resentment or overwhelm. Involving the kids also gives them the opportunity to respect each other’s personal space and belongings, creating a smoother family transition to your new home.
A study published by the National Parenting Education Network found that involving children in household chores and organization helps develop responsibility and emotional resilience, making transitions like a PCS move easier (source: NPEN.org).
PCS Decluttering Tip #3: Have a plan for donations and trash
Before diving into your PCS decluttering, it’s essential to have a clear plan for your donations and trash. Knowing exactly where your items will go and setting a timeline for when they’ll be removed can help you stay organized and efficient. It also ensures that your packers don’t accidentally pack up the items you’ve spent time decluttering. Maintaining this momentum is key to a stress-free PCS.
Pro Tip: Use heavy-duty trash bags to avoid breakage when transporting items to your donation center or trash disposal.
PCS Decluttering Tip #4: Pack your “No-Pack Zone” Essentials
During one of my first PCS moves, my husband and I let the packers pack up everything. We hadn’t thought through the logistics of what we’d need the night the moving truck pulled away—or what we’d need before our stuff arrived at the new house. And because we didn’t have extra funds at the time, it was nearly impossible to front the money for a hotel.
As we’ve gained more experience with military moves, we’ve learned to keep certain essentials with us, especially in case the moving truck is delayed or we haven’t secured housing at the new duty station.
Pro tip: About two weeks before your PCS, start collecting these items in your “no-pack” zone. If you’re driving, using heavy-duty totes like these can help ensure your must-haves make it safely from one home to the next.
➡️ Moving OCONUS? You’ll also want to plan what goes in your Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB) shipment so you’re not stuck waiting weeks for basics.
Grab my FREE Unaccompanied Baggage Checklist to make this part of your PCS way easier.
PCS Decluttering Tip #5: Remember your why
Before diving into decluttering, pause and ask yourself: Why am I doing this?
When you’re knee-deep in PCS chaos—managing pets, wrangling kids, handling logistics—it can be easy to lose sight of your reason for decluttering in the first place.
Here’s the truth: your movers will pack whatever is in your home. If you don’t make intentional decisions now, everything—even the broken coffee maker and clothes no one wears—will follow you to your next duty station.
There’s no magic number of boxes, and there’s no right or wrong amount of stuff to bring. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed or worried about:
Hitting your weight limit
Downsizing to a smaller home
Dealing with restricted storage
Facing surprise fees
…then decluttering becomes more than just a task—it becomes a strategy.
💬 Need help creating a plan? Book a virtual session with me and we’ll tackle it together.
PCS Decluttering Tip #6: Leave sentimental items for when you have the most energy
Decluttering before a PCS move is already an emotional rollercoaster—so give yourself some grace when it comes to the sentimental stuff. These items often carry deep meaning and deserve more time and energy than a rushed toss-it-or-pack-it decision.
📦 Tip: Tackle sentimental belongings when you’re feeling rested and focused, not at the end of a long day of sorting toys or kitchen gadgets.
If something is especially meaningful or valuable, don’t leave it to the packers. Consider taking it with you in your personally shipped items or packing it yourself with extra care. I always wrap my most fragile keepsakes in bubble wrap before the movers arrive, just to be safe.
Prioritizing your most treasured items ensures they’re treated with the care and attention they deserve.
PCS Decluttering Tip #7: Use Ziploc Bags to Control the Chaos
Here’s a PCS moving hack I swear by: Ziploc bags. Whether you’re team brand-name or grabbing the dollar store version, these little plastic heroes can save you major stress on the other side of the move.
🧳 Pro tip: About a week before your pack-out date, start gathering all the small, easy-to-lose items—think charger cords, screws from disassembled furniture, hair ties, earrings, or game pieces—and sort them into labeled Ziploc bags.
When you arrive at your new home, you’ll be able to pull out those bags already organized—no more tiny parts scattered at the bottom of a box or all over the floor. And even if you’re not quite sure where everything’s going to live yet, grouping items this way helps give you a sense of how much space each category will need when it’s time to set up your new space.
PCS Decluttering Tip #8: Divide large projects into manageable chunks
Tackling a huge decluttering project can be overwhelming, especially when you’re staring at a mountain of belongings you need to sort through before a PCS move. That’s why breaking it down into manageable chunks is key.
Instead of diving headfirst into the massive task of decluttering your entire closet, focus on one category at a time. Start with something manageable, like your short-sleeved shirts. Once that’s done, move on to your long-sleeved shirts, then pants, shoes, and so on.
By breaking it down, you’ll prevent burnout, and you’ll make steady progress without feeling like you’re buried under all the stuff. If you need help breaking down those larger projects or a little extra guidance, my PCS planning sessions are here to assist you in making the process more manageable and stress-free.
PCS Decluttering Tip #9: Start with easy targets
When decluttering for your PCS, it’s helpful to tackle the easy wins first. Focus on getting rid of trash, broken items, and expired goods. These are the low-hanging fruit that can make a big difference in clearing out your space quickly.
Starting with these simple tasks not only frees up valuable space but also sets the stage for a smoother packing process. Plus, if you’re someone who receives last-minute orders or has a tight timeline, handling these easy-to-clear areas first ensures you’re still making progress—even when you’re pressed for time.
PCS Decluttering Tip #10: Declutter as you Pack
If you’re opting for a DITY (Do It Yourself) move, a great way to make the process more efficient is to declutter as you pack. Not only will this save you money on packing materials, but it’ll also save you time by ensuring you’re not packing things you no longer need or want. Since you’re already handling every item during a DITY move (unless you hire packers), why not make the most of that time and declutter in the process?
By taking the extra moment to evaluate each item before packing it, you’ll lighten your load and make your unpacking easier at the new location. Plus, who doesn’t want less clutter to deal with on moving day?
Got it! Here’s an updated version that keeps the focus on your existing content and makes it more flexible for you to insert relevant articles as you go:
Love these tips? If you’re gearing up for a PCS or just looking to simplify your move, grab my Room-by-Room Declutter Checklist to guide you through the decluttering process step by step. It’s a perfect tool to keep you organized and ensure that no room gets left behind!
While you’re here, make sure to check out my other articles on military life:
Know someone who is PCSing? Make sure to share this article!
