It’s official! You’ve signed the papers and now begin the hardest process: packing for the move. But before you start throwing things in boxes or breaking your back, try some of these tips to help you work smarter and not harder!
Clean the Clutter
The reality is this: the less stuff you have to pack, the better! Your back will thank you later when you’re not loading that drum set you bought three years ago for those “someday” lessons. Be selective with your belongings. There are many charities such as Habitat for Humanity or Goodwill that would be more than happy to collect any unwanted clothing or household items. For anything in less than acceptable condition, go ahead and trash it! The purging process will help cut down on the amount of boxes you’ll be hauling and give you a fresh start in your new home.
Pack by Category
While it is tempting to think about setting up each room individually, you’ll find yourself fitting odds and ends into different boxes just for the sake of keeping rooms together. This is not exactly beneficial. Our moving companies suggest taking the time to go through the house and stack all the books together into boxes. Clothes should be gathered up and folded together. You’ll find items that go together in a similar category sit much nicer together than a hodge-podge inside of boxes.
Labels Are Your Friend
Don’t take a risk and rely on memory. Don’t let yourself fall into the habit of just throwing things into boxes with the pretense that you’ll remember which box is which. If you’re a techie, be sure to label all cords and bundle them together to prevent tangling. When you’re unpacking at your new place, you’ll be thankful to know which black cord belongs to which printer or router. Label boxes on all sides that are visible to help prevent mix-ups and remember what specifically is in each box.
Pack a Week’s Worth of Essentials
Depending on how fast you plan to be settled into your new home, you’ll want to keep a small box with at least a week’s worth of essentials to help you get started. It’s never fun to find yourself tearing through boxes trying to find your toothbrush or toothpaste. One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make when moving is to pack away your daily needs. Packing at least a week’s worth of clothing and toiletries can help you take your time unpacking.
Watch the Weight
While larger boxes might look tempting to fill to the brim, your doctor might have a few choice words about it. For the sake of your back, take the time to use more than one box to make lifting easier. It is better to move two 20 pound boxes than to move a single forty-pound box. When lifting, be sure to use proper techniques!
Moving should be a process of purging the old and preparing yourself for your new home. If you plan carefully and work diligently, you’ll be sitting in your new living room before you know it!