How to Clear Out a Parent’s or Loved One’s House: A Twin Cities Playbook
People ask, “How do I clear out my mom’s house?” or “Where do I even start with all my dad’s stuff?” It’s a common feeling, and we encounter this sense of overwhelm mixed with responsibility every day.
Clearing out a parent’s home can be one of the hardest family jobs. But with a clear plan, it can become doable and far less stressful.
Here’s a playbook that we’ve seen work best for Twin Cities families.
Step 1: Pause before touching anything
Take a quick tour of the house and get a sense of scale. Look at:
• Basement
• Storage room
• Garage
• Linen closets
• Paperwork
The first step is clarity, not action.
Step 2: Set up sorting zones
Keep it as simple as possible.
• Keep
• Donate
• Recycle
• Sell
• “Not sure yet”
When you and your loved ones see the categories visually, decisions fcan eel easier. Decision making in the beginning is often hard, but in our experience, it does get easier.
Step 3: Avoid emotional overload
Old baby clothes, boxes of photos, the wedding china—these things can carry a lot of emotional weight. Save the sentimental things for fresh eyes at the end, when the rest of the house is already under control.
Step 4: Don’t assume you need a dumpster
Dumpsters can be useful for some situations but most families don’t need them. Donation and responsible clearing usually handle the bulk of it, and keep good items out of landfills and rehomed as much as possible.
Step 5: Give yourself a realistic timeline
A tidy-seeming home can still take days of steady work. A fuller home can take longer. The key is consistency, not rushing.
Step 6: Bring in support before you burn out
Many families try to tackle it alone only to realize it’s too much, too hard on relationships, or physically too demanding. A neutral, friendly team can make everything easier—especially when decisions get emotional and when a little extra muscle is needed.
How we help
At Good Move Downsizing, we help families empty, clear, and prepare a parent’s home with care and calm. We handle sorting, furniture moves, donations, hauling, and the steady, thoughtful work that keeps a clear-out on track. We can set aside sentimental or potentially sentimental items that we think you may want to keep for you to review. If you let us know that you’re looking for specific items, we can help you look. Our whole goal is to help you move through this process with care so you and your family can focus on what truly matters.
If you’re looking for help clearing out a parent’s house in the Twin Cities, we’re ready to make the process manageable from the first box to the last.
