Moving day is always stressful, but here are a few moving tips and tricks that will make it easier:
1. Using standard size boxes makes moving so much easier.
It allows you to pack the moving truck tighter so that you can fit more in it (fewer trips) and reduces the amount your belongings will shift during transport (less breakage). You can also often buy them used at a fraction of the cost, but if you buy new boxes, you can often sell them to get some of your money back.
2. Box Everything
If it will fit in a box, put it in a box! It will reduce the number of trips you need to make loading and unloading the moving truck.
3. Label Every Box
Make sure to label every box with the room that it will be going to in your new home. If there is something that you know you will need to unpack early, label that on the box as well. Brightly colored labels are best, but black marker will also do fine.
4. Start Packing A Few Weeks Before Move Date
If you start packing the items that you don’t use that often a few weeks before the move, it allows you to avoid the packing panic that happens if you are still packing on moving day.
5. Purge Your Stuff
Since you need to go through all of your stuff to pack, this is the perfect time to see what you can donate or toss. It will make your move easier and you won’t have to do it in your new home.
6. Don’t Mix Items From Different Rooms
You will thank yourself for this later!
7. Don’t Make Boxes Too Heavy
If you are moving yourself, do not make the boxes too heavy…your friends will thank you too. Use smaller boxes for heavier items such as books and larger boxes for lighter items.
8. Padding And Space Fillers With Linens & Pillows
Use pillows, towels, sheets, blankets and other soft items as a way to wrap breakable items and fill odd space in the moving boxes.
9. Take A Photo Of Your Cords
Prior to unhooking the cords from your TV, stereo and other electronics, take a picture so that when you need to connect everything again you will know where it all goes.
10. Use Your Luggage
Rather than moving your luggage empty, fill it up!
11. Put Hanging Clothes In Garbage Bags
Don’t bother taking your hanging clothes off the hangers. Use elastics or cable ties to bundle the handles together, slide a garbage bag over the top and cut a hole in the bottom of the bag for the handles to go through. Saves time and wrinkles! Then your clothes can just be hung up as soon as you get them to your new home.
12. Pack An “Open First” or “Essentials” Box
Pack a box that contains the essentials that you will need for the first night in your home and take it in the car with you. You may also want to pack a bag with personal belongings that you will need for the first day or so. Like packing for a weekend trip!
13. Mattress Protectors
Protect your mattress during the move by pulling an old fitted sheet over the top and bottom. This keeps your mattress from getting dirt and debris on it during the move.
14. Keep Screws And Bolts Organized
When you are taking apart your furniture in preparation for the move, use zip lock bags to keep the screws, nuts and bolts organized. Tape the bags to an inconspicuous spot on the corresponding piece of furniture in order to keep track of them. Just be careful what the tape is sticking to in case it damages the finish.
15. Pack The Truck Properly
If you are loading the moving truck yourself, here are some helpful loading tips:
- Take valuables with you in vehicle you are driving
- Place larger, heavier items close to the cab of the truck
- Heavier items are best in the center
- Items with drawers should be facing mattresses so the drawers do not open during transport
- Long items should be placed against the truck wall or side
- Small items should go in last and fill in small spaces to prevent shifting during transport
16. Arrange Pet And Child Care
For same city moves, arrange for a sitter for your children and daycare or kennel for your pets. It will make moving day easier and a lot less stressful for you as well as the children and pets.
