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Originally Posted On: https://securespace.com/blog/packing-tips-for-moving/

 

Moving and shifting to a new place sounds so exciting, but at the same time, it can create hassles and stress. Here are our team at SecureSpace Self Storages top packing & moving tips to help you escape this chaos and make your move to a new place as easy as possible.

1. Make A Timeline & Checklist For Moving

Preparing in advance is a wise move. Based on your schedule, start preparing your checklist in advance so that it becomes convenient for you to ease your workload of packing more simply.

Some factors may affect the timeline for your Moving, like distance, notice period, or other personal reasons. Therefore, a pre-prepared checklist will save you from the rush and rush on the final day.

2. Gather Your Supplies

You may have several unused boxes at home lying in your extra rooms, but you will need some specific types of boxes to pack up your more valuable items. Please don’t neglect the fact that purchasing additional boxes for packing your belongings is a waste of money; rather, it will be a good investment for a successful move.

Your valuable items can be properly packed in plastic boxes. Other requirements for packing your belongings and accommodations include packing tape, bubble wrap, styrofoam, old newspapers, stretch wrap for furniture, markers, plastic bags, and labels.

3. Understand The Positives & Negatives Of Hiring Professionals

Hiring professional experts to assist you in shifting and moving will greatly help. Not only will they pack your expensive and precious belongings safely, but their services will lessen your burden and rush for packing and moving. Another benefit of hiring a moving company is that the things packed are insured against damage and loss.

Amidst the chaos of moving and shifting, professional movers will keep you calm at the last minute. There’s a tip, don’t hesitate to enquire about any query in your mind while signing a contract with your moving agency.

4. Declutter & Donate

There might be several things at your home that are no longer in use. These items will increase your burden for packing while moving to a new place and take up unnecessary space in your new home. To avoid such situations, determine what items must be donated or sold.

Take a good look at your new space, check out the requirements, and then plan to take all the big stuff and furniture along with you. Some online sites will help you make your task easy. These online platforms will help you sell unwanted stuff at good rates.

5. Begin Packing Up The Rooms That Are Less In Use

Always start packing up the rooms that are used less often. This saves time and eases your work. Pack seasonal items like blankets, garden tools, coats, etc., in advance. Preferably one should start packing their stuff from the top floor and then slowly coming to the down floors. Sort out the items you need to take and donate or sell.

The entire process of packing takes about 3 to 5 days. Packing up the rooms used more often, like the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms, should finally be done. At this stage, you will feel more relaxed and burden-free while packing up any additional items that you need to take with you.

6. Pack One Room At A Time

Where to start is a major question in our minds while packing. So to answer this question, we suggest wrapping up things room by room. It will keep your things organized in a far much better way. Unpack your stuff in reverse order, from the top to the ground floor. The stuff that does not need to be unpacked should be placed first not to burden you unnecessarily.

Before you start moving, go through your checklist to ensure you have missed out on anything. It is better to check everything twice than discover any mistakes in the final phase.

7. Schedule Time To Pack Daily

Moving and shifting is not easy; neither one can pack their stuff in a day or two. To avoid stress and panic situations:

1. Start packing up things prior.
2. Take time from your day-to-day activities to have sufficient time to pack and manage things properly.
3. Mark the labels on the boxes so that you don’t face any difficulty finding your essential things when unloading.

8. Don’t Leave Any Gaps & Always Label Your Boxes

Leaving gaps in the boxes may cause breakage of the expensive items or art pieces while transporting them. Therefore, to avoid such losses, fill the gaps in the boxes with clothes, newspapers, or old rags. It will not only keep your things fixed in the boxes but also keep them safe from any harm during loading and unloading also.

Secondly, labeling boxes is as important as packing stuff in them. Labeling makes your work easier when arranging things at the new place and unloading them.

9. Schedule A Good Day To Move

Packers and movers should be booked a month before so that their availability and your relocation become easier. Usually, weekends are the most hectic time for professional movers; therefore, try to schedule your shifts apart from weekends. This will give you discount offers and make sure moving day is easy and convenient.

10. Have Your Route Planned

Another important packing tip for moving is to discuss the route to your new home with the company. Check the easiest, most convenient, and fastest route to your new place. Ensure that your selected route has less traffic, detours, and stops where you’ll rest.

11. Electronics Should Be Carefully Packed

The major concern while shifting or relocating is electronic gadgets. You may be worried about your expensive television sets, refrigerators, washing machines, or other gadgets. It is advised to pack these items in their original boxes if you have one.

If not, carefully pack them using bubble wrap and then pack them in the boxes. Before packing, don’t forget to take a picture of your gadgets so that after unloading and unpacking them, you can easily check on the safety of your device.

12. Documents Need To Be Packed Separately

Pack your documents with special care since they are very important and sensitive. Moving brings lots of hustle and chaos, During which you may misplace your documents. Park your important documents in a different case or file and carry them with you so that you have them whenever necessary.

13. Keep Your Essentials Separate

Keeping your essentials separate while packing is crucial to avoid stress during your move. Unpacking everything at once can be daunting and inconvenient, particularly if you can’t get what you require.

When you organize a special container of items, including a personal hygiene kit, clothes, and crucial papers, you’ll find everything you require easily without having to search all your boxes. This will be very advantageous if you are planning to move to a far-off location and won’t get to your other possessions for a while.

14. Don’t Overpack Boxes

When moving, a blunder frequently made is overstuffing boxes. The urge to pack everything into a single box and save space is strong, which can lead to cumbersome packages. Additionally, this approach ups the likelihood of harm to your possessions, as these packed boxes become fragile and breakable.

15. Pack Items Vertically

Maximize your packing space by arranging your items vertically. Opt for this method instead of stacking them horizontally, as the latter takes up more space and makes it challenging to see the contents of each box. Go for vertical packing to fit more items per box and facilitate access to them later.

Proper packing techniques can safeguard delicate belongings during relocation. To avoid breakage, consider packing items vertically, as this minimizes the possibility of movement during transit. Remember to fill any gaps with soft materials like clothes or towels to cushion and limit shifting.

16. Use Clothes As Padding

Utilizing attire as cushioning for delicate things is an intelligent and economical method to safeguard fragile possessions while shifting. Clothing is pliable and has exceptional padding for tableware, glassware, and compact electronics.

Opt for clothes that are okay with getting some wrinkles and dirt on them, and make sure to tightly pack them around fragile items to keep them from shifting during transportation. This method can result in cost savings on packing materials, simplifying the unpacking process by eliminating the need to find additional storage space for clothing.

17. Use Vacuum-Sealed Bags

Compress your bulky belongings with vacuum-sealed bags! These handy tools are perfect for reducing the size of items like bedding and clothes, which can take up much precious packing space. Simply remove the air and watch as your belongings shrink down.

Plus, with a vacuum-sealed bag, you can ensure your items stay safe from dust, moisture, and bugs while transported. It should be considered that down-filled goods, like comforters and pillows, risk suffering harm when compressed. Conversely, vacuum-sealed bags offer an effective solution to saving space for most other items.

18. Use Suitcases

If you’re looking for a way to pack bulky goods easily, suitcases can be a practical choice. With their sturdy construction to accommodate large weights, they can easily store your items. In addition to their weight-bearing capacity, suitcases are much more maneuverable than boxes, making them a better transport option.

Besides, using suitcases can also help free up storage space if you don’t have enough boxes or would like to make the most of your packing area. Pack heavier items closer to the wheels and place lighter items on top when using suitcases. This technique helps maintain balance and ease of movement, preventing the suitcase from becoming top-heavy.

19. Use Blankets & Towels

Safeguarding your furniture from damage during a move is a simple and low-cost process using blankets and towels. These comfy fabrics furnish support and prevent marks and blemishes from happening while moving. Envelop your bigger belongings like couches and armchairs with blankets or towels and fasten them in place using either tape or a rope.

You may use blankets or towels to line the boxes to protect fragile items. Ensure that the blankets or towels are dry and clean before using them to avoid causing any dirt or moisture issues that could ruin your furniture.

20. Pack A First-Aid Kit

Amidst moving, tensions can run high and unforeseen events can occur. Thus, having a first-aid kit prepared beforehand is crucial. A rudimentary kit usually includes adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, pain relief medication, and adhesive tape.

In addition, it’s also smart to pack items like scissors, tweezers, and disposable gloves. To ensure quick and efficient treatment of any injuries or accidents during the move, it’s important to have a first-aid kit in an easily accessible spot. Let all parties involved in the move know the location of the kit.

21. Secure Lids

To avoid damage or loss during a move, it is crucial to ensure that all possessions are firmly secured. Fastening the covers with packing tape is one of the most effective methods of securing them and preventing items from slipping out. When packing boxes, it is vital to ensure that the lid is securely fastened.

This is especially important if the contents are fragile or heavy, as they could cause harm if they fall out. To achieve this, strong packing tape should be used, and all edges and seams of the box should be covered, ensuring that it holds up during transportation.

22. Use Ziplock Bags

Storing screws and bolts during a move can be made easier with Ziplock bags. These small items are prone to get lost in the mix, so stashing them in plastic bags will keep them together and well-organized. Simply attach a label to each bag that identifies its contents, and then deposit all bags into a single box.

When arranging furniture or putting things together in your new dwelling, utilizing Ziplock bags can simplify locating essential items. Small things can be transported securely and well-organized by packing them in these bags.

23. Label Cables

Facilitate setting up your electronic devices in your new home through a straightforward technique of marking your cables. Take a snapshot of your cables before separating them and designate labels to each indicating the respective device it belongs to. This simple tip will ensure easy reconnection without any confusion.

Moving to a new home can be a real time-saver to keep your electronics organized. Putting all cables and electronic components into one box and labeling it clearly will prevent confusion and frustration during reconnection. Labeling cables is especially helpful in reducing the stress associated with the move.

24. Pack Books Carefully

To ensure that books remain undamaged during a move, it is essential to handle them with care. A critical piece of advice is to stack books horizontally while packing to prevent any harm. The spines of the books are highly susceptible and can quickly bend or break while transporting. Guarantee the safety of books by lining the container with bubble wrap or packing paper and placing them flat inside instead of keeping them upright.

Stuff gaps with packing paper or towels to prevent books from shifting during the move. Avoid overpacking boxes since they become cumbersome to transport. Correctly packing books can guarantee their safe arrival at your new residence, making them immediately available for reading.

25. Notify Your Utility Providers

Before moving to your new home, it is necessary to inform your utility providers and update your address. You must contact your gas, electricity, and water companies and inform them of your move-in date to ensure seamless service transfer without interruption. It would be best to inform your post office about the address change, which will help them redirect your mail to the new address.

To make your relocation hassle-free, it’s advisable to make early arrangements for your address change on bills, subscriptions, and accounts. This will guarantee timely notifications and payment without any glitches. Don’t wait until the eleventh hour, as this may lead to inconveniences in mail delivery and utility services.

26. Take Breaks

It’s crucial to remember that packing for a move is a strenuous and challenging chore that can drain both your physical and emotional energy. Thus, you must allocate sufficient time for packing and give yourself regular breaks to prevent exhaustion and stress.

You should intermittently pause every hour or two, stretch your muscles, and drink ample water to remain hydrated. Doing so will allow you to complete the packing process without injury or burnout.

Thanks For Reading!

Packing for a move can be stressful and complicated, especially with little time to spare. If you follow the tips mentioned above wisely, you can make transitioning and the permanent move to your new residence seamless and convenient. Utilize these helpful moving tips to organize your belongings before relocation, making unpacking just as easy. If you have more questions checkout our other detailed guides online!

 

We hope you found everything you needed to know! If you find yourself in need of a place to rent out a climate-controlled storage unit for the short or long term consider renting out a spot at one of our local SecureSpace Self Storage facilities today. Thanks for reading!