Do you need help relocating? Call our moving experts at Auburn Moving & Storage!
There’s nothing more exciting than starting over in a new house. However, the process of packing up your belongings can be stressful if you don’t know any packing hacks. These 10 packing tips for moving will make for a seamless transition to your new home.
Utilizing these tips and tricks makes all the difference in how smoothly your move goes. For additional help, reach out to our Orangevale movers, who can safely take your neatly packed items a long distance.
1. Plan Ahead
Before you can start packing, you need to come up with a plan. Make a moving checklist that maps out every detail you want to cover. This may include:
- All of the items you need to pack
- Anything that needs to go in a storage unit
- Your timeline for the packing process
On the topic of planning ahead, don’t forget to throw some paper plates in the car on moving day so you can eat at your new home without digging through boxes to find dishes!
2. Book a Moving Truck Early
Whether you’re thinking of hiring professional movers or tackling everything on your own, you need to book a moving truck early. If you wait too long, you might find that no moving company around you has equipment available to rent.
3. Cut Back on Clutter
One of the biggest packing tips for moving is limiting how much you take with you. Cutting your clutter can reduce the number of cardboard boxes you need to move.
Don’t feel as if you have to toss everything into garbage bags. You can set aside clothes, stuffed animals, furniture, and non-perishable food items for donation. This not only lightens your load but supports a good cause in the process.
4. Use the Right Type of Moving Boxes
Once you have a checklist of items, you can start compiling all your packing supplies. This includes as many boxes as you can get from a qualified moving supplier. Make sure you get an assortment of sizes since smaller boxes and specialty boxes will come in handy.
5. Don’t Overstuff Boxes
Whether you use large boxes, small boxes, or plastic bins, make sure you don’t overfill them with items. The heavier they are, the harder they will be to lift and move. You risk injury to yourself, and the box might break because it can’t support the weight.
While you don’t want to pack boxes to the brim, you also want to fill any empty space with bunched-up paper, packing peanuts, or other packing material. This protects your items from clanging into each other and potentially breaking en route.
6. Secure and Label Boxes
Use packing tape to secure your boxes and label them so you know what is inside. One of the best moving tips is to color code boxes based on their contents. For example, use red masking tape on boxes containing kitchen materials and blue tape on boxes that hold bedroom linens.
Once you get every box labeled, either by color or words, you can easily bring them to the right location in the new home and unpack them. If you opt for the color coding system, make sure everyone in your household is familiar with the labels to avoid confusion during the move.
7. Repurpose Household Items
If you want to limit the number of heavy boxes, consider using bins already in your house. This is one of the easiest tips for moving because it maximizes space since you need to bring laundry baskets and suitcases to your new home anyway.
As a bonus, these items come in handy when you can’t find the right size boxes for certain belongings. You can also use the original box that an appliance came in if you still have it.
8. Be Mindful of Fragile and Dangerous Items
Certain items need extra care with the right packing materials for optimum safety. Use moving blankets to cover fragile TV or computer screens and wrap fragile items like glass vases or sculptures in bubble wrap.
Don’t combine your fragile belongings with bulky items that could damage them during the move. Always pack these items separately to minimize the chance of breaking, scratching, or cracking.
Some items are dangerous if they break and should be put in a separate box. These include light bulbs, fire extinguishers, paints, chemical cleaners, and batteries. Make sure you fill any empty spaces with packing paper and label the box accordingly so you know that it requires careful handling.
9. Prevent Leaks
Does your coffee maker have any leftover water in it? Certain items are prone to leaking during a move, but you can use plastic bags from your local grocery store or plastic wrap for protection.
Use a plastic bag to keep these separate from items that need to stay dry. For example, don’t pack toilet paper with shampoo bottles that might leak. Similarly, you might want to keep paper towels away from open cleaning sprays.
10. Save Space on Clothing
Packing clothes is essential, but a wardrobe box takes up a lot of space. Rather than moving countless wardrobe boxes, you can save space by transferring hanging clothes into trash bags. For extra room, you can vacuum seal the garbage bag to eliminate any trapped air.
This is one of the moving tips that professionals swear by because it allows you to immediately hang your clothes in a new closet without any extra effort. If you prefer to pack your clothes away, try rolling them instead of folding them since this will give you more space in a container.
Simplify the Moving Process with Help From Auburn Moving & Storage
With these packing tips for moving, you can secure all of your belongings and get them ready for transport. Count on Auburn Moving & Storage to get you on the right foot in your new home. Our professional movers will help you save money and provide any moving supplies you need, especially when it comes to huge items like gym equipment. Give our local movers a call at 916-786-8683 to request an estimate.
