Tips for Moving

Moving day and the days leading up to it can be a bag of mixed of emotions. That’s why we’ve compiled some of our top tips for moving – to help with a fuss-free moving experience and to help you make the most out of your moving day.

Pack Like a Pro

Chances are that moving day will be chaotic, so start by packing your essentials bag first. This bag should consist of items that you’ll need access to during your move and right after you’ve arrived. Be sure to include things like:

• Toiletries
• Medications
• Change of clothes
• Chargers
• Important documents

For other essential items like your coffee maker, pack them in a laundry basket so you can put them on the kitchen counter as soon as you move in.

Use What You Have

Put the baggage you own to good use. Use suitcases with wheels to pack heavier items. That way you can roll the bulky items instead of doing the heavy lifting. Using suitcases and bags that you already own will also help to save money on boxes. Think duffle bags, reusable grocery bags, you name it. You can even stuff your shoes with smaller items to help maximize space.

Have an egg carton or two? Don’t let them go to waste. Egg cartons can be used to help keep your jewelry tangle-free and organized during the move.

You’ll also want to save your toilet paper tubes. They’re the perfect size to help keep all your wires and cables organized and untangled.

Utilize those pots. Fill pots with belongings to help save space and keep items safe during the move. Try filling your pots with spices and other kitchen items so they’re easily accessible and organized.

Label Bags & Boxes

Putting the room name on the box helps to keep things organized. It’ll also help you easily access things when it’s time to unpack. You could even go an extra step and include the contents of the box with the room name. Color coding the boxes can also help you quickly identify what needs to go where.

Clothing Hacks

The clothes that are in your dresser drawers can stay there. In fact, you can even put breakable items in between the clothing for padding. Just wrap the dresser with shrink wrap or tape the drawers closed using painter’s tape. The plastic and tape will keep the drawers from opening during the move. Then, when you’re ready to unpack, you just remove the tape or wrap.

Have clothes on hangers? Leave them on the hangers so it’s easier to put them away in your new home. Simply group them by 5 or 6 hangers, wrap in garbage bags and you’re good to go.

Padding for Dishware & Breakables

Instead of buying extra bubble wrap or additional packing supplies, use clothing, linens, towels or other soft material as padding for breakable items.

Packing plates vertically also helps to avoid breakage (stacking them horizontally makes the dishes more susceptible to cracking).

Try putting clean socks in your stemware and glasses for additional free padding.

What to do with your utensils? Keep them safe, organized and all in one place by wrapping your silverware caddy in plastic wrap.

Prevent Bottles for Leaking

Liquid toiletries are susceptible to leaking during a move. Plastic wrap can help – all you need to do is take the cap off the bottle, place plastic wrap over the opening and put the cap back on.

Keep Doors Unlocked

Putting rubber bands around doorknobs can stop doors from latching every time you need to carry an item outside. Just hook a rubber band around the doorknob on each side of the door, covering the latch. This can be super helpful when your hands are literally full.

Packing Tape Trick

Finding the sticky end of the packing tape just got easier. Place a toothpick horizontally on the tape’s sticky side, about 1/2 inch from then end. Then roll the end of the tape around the toothpick.

Take Pictures

You’ll be thankful you did when it’s time to unpack and reassemble items. Snapping photos can come in especially handy when trying to figure out the complex wiring on the back of your entertainment system. It can also help to take pictures of fragile and valuable items, just in case something goes missing or gets damaged during moving. And in case something does happen to any of your items, the images will be invaluable if you need to make an insurance claim.

Additional Moving Info

Ready for more moving tips and tricks? Head over to our blog.