What to Do With Items You Cannot Take on a PCS Move From Kitsap County
What to Do With Items You Cannot Take on a PCS Move From Kitsap County
Every PCS move from Kitsap County involves the same dilemma: what do you do with everything that is not making the trip? Whether it is a sofa that will not fit the new unit’s floor plan, a gas grill that is too heavy to ship, a hot tub from off-base housing, or an entire storage unit of accumulated gear, you have more options than just leaving it or dumping it.
Here is a complete breakdown of every realistic option, with honest assessments of what works in the Kitsap County military community context.
Option 1: Sell It
Selling is the first choice for any item in good condition with remaining market value. In the Kitsap County military community, there is a constant population of incoming families who need exactly what departing families are selling. The trick is timing.
Best platforms for military family sales in Kitsap County
- NBK Facebook groups: Active buy/sell groups specific to the Bremerton and Bangor base communities. Fast for furniture, electronics, outdoor gear, and vehicles.
- Facebook Marketplace (general Kitsap County): Broader audience, useful for higher-value items like appliances and exercise equipment.
- Craigslist Kitsap: Still active, especially for vehicles, tools, and large outdoor items.
- eBay: Best for electronics, collectibles, and specialty items where a national buyer pool helps.
- ArmyIgnited / MilSuite / branch-specific platforms: Some branches have official buy/sell forums.
Realistic timelines for selling before PCS
Give yourself at least 45 days for furniture and appliances. Electronics and sporting gear often move faster — two to three weeks. Specialty items (hot tubs, heavy gym equipment, vehicles) can take 60 to 90 days or may not sell at all. Anything not sold 14 days before your departure date should be moved to donation or junk removal.
Option 2: Donate It
Donation is the right choice for usable items that are unlikely to sell in time but are in good enough condition to serve someone else. Key Kitsap County donation options for PCS families:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Silverdale): Furniture, appliances, building materials, tools. Offers pickup for large items. Call ahead to schedule.
- Goodwill (Bremerton): Clothing, household goods, small appliances, electronics. Walk-in drop-off at the Bremerton location.
- Salvation Army (Bremerton): Furniture and household goods. Pickup available for qualifying items.
- Local churches and faith communities: Many Kitsap County churches accept furniture and household goods for families in need. Call directly.
- The exchange and commissary donation boards: On-base bulletin boards sometimes have community members looking for specific donated items.
Coordinate donation pickups early. Large furniture pickup scheduling can have a one to two week lead time during PCS season.
Option 3: Give It Away for Free
The “free” section of Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace is remarkably effective in military communities. Incoming families who are shopping on a tight budget — particularly junior enlisted arriving at their first duty station — will take quality items for free that they might not be able to afford. Post with photos and a clear location. Items posted as free before a PCS often disappear within hours.
Option 4: Put It in a Storage Unit — Temporarily
Some families choose to put items in a storage unit when the timeline does not allow for sorting and selling. This is a legitimate short-term solution, but be honest with yourself about whether you will actually come back for the items or whether you are just delaying a disposal decision. Abandoned storage units are a significant problem in military communities — and they eventually become very expensive.
If you use a storage unit, set a hard date for when you will decide what to do with the contents — before the second month’s rent is due is a good benchmark.
Option 5: Professional Junk Removal
For everything that does not sell, does not donate in time, or is simply not worth the effort of individual transactions — professional junk removal is the fastest and most reliable solution. Silverdale Junk Co provides same-day and next-day junk removal for military families across Kitsap County, with scheduling flexibility to work around TMO/PPM pickups and housing inspections.
We remove everything from single items to full property cleanouts. Call or text (360) 928-5949.
Planning Your Timeline
For a complete PCS junk removal timeline, see our companion guide: PCS Move Junk Removal Checklist: What to Do Before You Leave Kitsap County. And for details on how Silverdale Junk Co works with NBK families specifically: How Silverdale Junk Co Supports Military PCS Moves at NBK.
