Moving into your new home is an exciting time. It also can be stressful, especially if you are not properly prepared. There is a lot to do to accomplish in a limited amount of time. There are address changes to make, utilities to manage, pets and children to make arrangements for, and of course, plenty of items to pack.
It may help to know you are far from being alone. According the the U.S. Census Bureau, over 40 million Americans move per year, that’s about 15% of us. The majority of these, 23.4 million, are moves within the same county. With so many people on the move, there are a lot of moving tips available. One piece of advice is to prepare a comprehensive list of things to do in the weeks prior to the move. This can help keep you on track.
One of the parts of DIY moving people struggle with most is packing. Packing everything you own to get it from one place to another safely can be overwhelming. It can help to conduct a moving sale prior to moving to limit the items you will have to transport.
If you are gearing up for a move, here are tips on how to pack like professional movers.
- Give yourself enough time. The biggest mistake most people make is not giving themselves enough time to pack properly. Packing could begin as soon as you make the decision to move. Start with rarely used items, items stored away, and off-season articles.
- Use the right packing materials and containers. Use heavy duty boxes that were designed for moving. These can generally be found at a moving and storage location and some office supply stores. Be cautious about using boxes from grocery stores as they could potentially contain pests. Crumpled newspaper is fine for creating a cushion in the bottom of boxes, but use blank newsprint to wrap glasses, dishes and china. To pack glasses, pre-cut sheets of blank newsprint and roll individual glass from corner to corner tucking in the loose ends as you roll. For very valuable, fragile items, use bubble wrap. To pack like a pro, you’ll want to tape boxes securely with packing tape using a packing tape dispenser.
- Label boxes properly. Many will simply mark boxes with a word like “bedroom”. This can just cause further problems, as there may be more than one bedroom. You’ll also want to keep in mind that once you get into your new home it may take several days to unpack. In the meantime, you’ll be looking for specific items. Use a wide tipped marker and put the specific name of the room on at least two sides of each box. Include a short list of what items are contain within it. When you get to your new place post it notes on room doors matching appropriate box descriptions. This will tell your help exactly what boxes go where upon arrival. Mark glass items with “fragile” and if it is important to keep a box upright, label the top. You may consider marking boxes to be unpacked first with a star or other marking.
- Don’t waste space. Maximize every nook and cranny while being cautious not to overload boxes. No box should weigh over 50 lbs. Make sure bowls and pots and pans are nested, Pack items like a slow cooker with small articles. Professional movers know unused space is wasted time and money.
- Pack a small tool kit. There are many times during a move tools will come in handy. You may need them to take apart and reassemble items, and a box knife will be handy for unpacking. Make sure you include basics like a flat and Phillips head screwdriver, hammer, pliers, scissors and perhaps even a small socket set.
- Protect the corners and surfaces of furniture. Use bubble wrap, rags, towels or blankets to protect edges that could get scratched and to keep furniture surfaces clean and protected. If items will be stacked on a couch or chair while moving, cover it with blankets.
- Make use of large trash bags. Large plastic trash bags can be valuable in keeping items clean during a move. They are good to use for transport large, soft items like bedding and pillows, seat cushions, and can even be used as a large clothing bag for hangar clothes. Cutting a hole in the seamed end of the bag and pulling it down over the hooked end of a quantity of hangar clothes makes transport easier.
- Prepare electronics carefully. Mark audio and video cables before disconnecting or take a photo to help in reconnecting. Don’t leave cords dangling dangerously. Wind up power cords or audio cables and tape to the back of the television and audio equipment. Do the same for small and major appliances.
- Pack suitcases. Make use of suitcases, backpacks and duffle bags to pack items. Be sure to keep one suitcase to pack personal items, important papers and enough clothes for the first couple of days in your new home. Keep that personal bag secure and with you.
- Assume open items will leak or spill. When packing food, cosmetics, cleaners, or other liquid or dry powder items, tape them shut and perhaps even put them in large zipper-style bags. Be sure to pack them upright and make sure they are packed tightly enough to prevent tipping. Mark the box “Keep Upright” and be sure to mark it with arrows pointing upward.
Packing like a pro can save you time, money, stress and bring you better peace of mind. Follow the above tips to make your move go smoother.
