The Mom’s Guide to Leaving a Sick House Without Losing Your Mind (or Everything You Own)
If you’re staring down the reality that your house is making you sick—whether from mold, water damage, or hidden toxins—you’re probably wondering:
How do we even leave without losing everything we own?
I’ve been there. And after guiding families through this process, here’s the truth:
You don’t need to panic, but you do need a strategy.
Pack Light. Think Temporary.
When your home is making you sick, the goal isn’t to move your entire life in one day. The goal is to get into a safe space—fast—without dragging contamination into it.
We treated our move like a 30-day trial period. We brought only what we needed to survive while we tested the new space and our bodies' responses.
What to Bring: Essentials Only
Clothes: 7–10 days' worth, current season only. Wash everything before packing.
Shoes: Minimal pairs, kept outside or in the garage.
Medications & supplements: Daily necessities only.
Kitchen basics: A small set of dishes and utensils made of glass, stainless steel, or silicone.
Brand new toiletries
Clean towels & fresh outfits for arrival
Temporary furniture: Think plastic tables, folding chairs, air mattresses.
Comfort items for kids: Just one or two washed favorites if essential for mental health.
Pets: Bathe thoroughly (twice!) at a local store with a pet wash station before bringing them into the clean space.
Important papers: Store in a brand new plastic file folder box with a sealed lid. Only open the bin outdoors when accessing documents.
What to Leave Behind
Mattresses & upholstered furniture: Too porous to clean effectively.
Books & papers: Unless essential, these can harbor mycotoxins even if they don’t smell.
Stuffed animals & soft items: Keep to an absolute minimum.
Rugs & curtains: Porous and difficult to decontaminate thoroughly.
Other porous, non-essential items: If it can’t be wiped down with a microfiber cloth or cleaned with a HEPA vacuum, it’s best to leave it behind.
If you’re unsure, store items in a sealed bin in a garage or storage unit until you’re ready to test them later.
Decontamination on Arrival
When you get to your new place:
Strip out of contaminated clothes in the bathroom and tie them up in a plastic trash bag.
Shower thoroughly.
Dress in freshly washed clothes.
Wash your contaminated clothes immediately in hot water with detergent + borax.
Pro Tips for Moving from Mold
Treat this as temporary. Don’t rush to replace furniture yet.
Put the stuff that can be salvaged and cleaned in storage to deal with at a later time.
Create an Amazon wish list for items you need help replacing.
Budget for slow, intentional purchases over time.
Every item you bring in can potentially complicate things—be thoughtful.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about making the next right step for your family.
Not Sure If Your House Is the Problem?
If you’re reading this and wondering “Could our home actually be making us sick?”—don’t guess.
I created a free checklist that walks you through the signs your body and home might be showing you:
📥 Grab the free checklist: Is My Home Making Me Sick?
Before you start packing or replacing everything, this checklist can help you figure out if your home really is part of the problem—and what to focus on next.
You’re Not Alone
Leaving a home is hard. Leaving because it’s hurting you? That’s grief, frustration, and survival all at once.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Start with the checklist. One step at a time.
👉 Grab it here.