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Moving Checklist

1. Start early

No matter how good you are, packing always takes longer than you think. Start two or three weeks before moving day. Pack items you use least first. I always start with China and books.

2. Pack strategically

Mark the boxes you know you will need first with a star or other symbol. Put belongings you will want on Day One — sheets, towels, toiletries, change of clothes — in a suitcase or clothes hamper for easy access.

3. Have a packing room

Chose a little-used room or corner of your house to serve as the packing station. Build boxes of assorted sizes so they’re ready to grab. Momentum is key. Keep a stash of good thick markers, packing tape, and packing materials such as bubble wrap, popcorn or unprinted newsprint there.

4. Save on boxes

Get used ones. In a move to be greener, U-Haul started a Take a Box Leave a Box program, said Howell. After a move, drop off still-good boxes at the nearest U-Haul, where others can pick them up and reuse them for free.

5. Don’t be a heavy

Many self-movers think a large box is for big heavy stuff, but the opposite is true. Fill large boxes with light stuff, and put heavy items, like books, in small boxes. “You’d be surprised how many people fill large boxes until they weigh 100 pounds and break. And that slows things down,” said Howell.

6. Don’t pack air

Many folks empty dressers and chests before they move. Don’t. This adds to packing time, and wastes usable truck space. Leave dressers full. If a chest is empty, fill it with linens, said Howell. You will also get less load shift. Likewise, don’t pack empty suitcases. Fill them.

7. Trash bags are treasure

Boxes are great because they stack, but so are sturdy trash bags, because they squish. Fill large trash bags with soft nonbreakables. They can be stuffed into trucks and morph into shapes that boxes can’t.

8. Hang ’em high

Don’t pack hanging clothes. Keep them on hangers and put them in the back of your car. flat. Then hang them back up in the new place.

9. Pad, stack, and pack

Don’t pack blankets or beach towels; use them as pads and save on boxes. Wrap and tape blankets around artwork and lamp bases. And stack and pack lampshades; they often take a beating in a move. Remove each shade; stack them small to large, then put them together in one box to ensure that they arrive intact.

10. Label on two sides.

Mark every box with its contents and destination (kitchen) on more than one side. Also note if contents are fragile. Though movers likely won’t care, you’ll know to go easy on them.

11. Be ready.

Have everything packed before the movers arrive or before you get the truck. Disassemble furniture that will need to be taken apart. (Tape nuts and bolts securely to furniture items.) Roll area rugs up tight and tape them. The more organized you are, the less time you will spend on movers — who charge by the hour — and truck rental.

12. Load in sections.

If you’re loading a moving truck yourself, maximize space and keep items from shifting by loading in sections from the floor up. Load heaviest items first, in front and on the floor. Pack tightly and to the top, then move onto the next section.

Moving Tips For Beginners

Moving the first time can be an overwhelming experience. If this is your first relocation, simplifying your move may not come naturally. Take your move to the next level with these tips and pack your belongings in an efficient manner. When planning a move, finding the easiest way to complete tasks is a must, making your relocation follow through seamlessly.

Moving Tip 1: Use garbage bags to move your clothes

Leave all your clothes on the hangers, but cover them with large garbage bags by sliding the hanging clothes down into the bag and tie the bag around the top of the hangers. This will protect your clothing and make it easier to transport.  So, make sure you get the most use out of the garbage bags during your move.

Moving Tip 2: Use Styrofoam plates to transport glass

Most people wrap each plate individually. This can be time consuming and take up too much space. Instead, stack a Styrofoam plate in between each plate to protect plates from smashing each other during the move.

Moving Tip 3: Secure makeup with cotton balls

Secure makeup with cotton balls.  Moving delicate makeup products can be a difficult process since they break so easy if not properly handled before setting out for transport.  Use cotton balls in between your products to protect against shattering in case the truck hits a bump.  This will save you a lot of clean up time and certainly a lot of money.

Moving Tip 4: Take pictures of electronic setups before packing them

Plugging in your electronics the correct way is important but it can be difficult to remember the exact way it was setup at your previous place. Be sure to take pictures before you unplug everything to help you install them with ease when you begin unpacking.

Moving Tip 5: Use socks to wrap your glassware

Want to save more time? Wrap your glassware by slipping them into socks.  They don’t have to be thick winter socks but stay away from dress socks, as they will be too thin.  This will protect them from breaking during a moving trip.  It may be worth the few bucks to buy a few new packs for sanitation purposes.

Moving Tip 6: Leave everything in your drawers

Why unpack your drawers and repack if you don’t have to?  Cover your drawers with plastic wrap instead to save you the trouble of repacking.  It will keep your items secure and safe along the way.

Moving Tip 7: Utilize Sandwich bags

One of the easiest things to lose during a project is screws, nuts, and other small hardware.  And it’s not much better during a move.  To avoid this, put them in a small plastic bag and label it to prevent loss.  You can write it on a white plastic sticky label for better visibility. For electronic wires, consider using tape to secure it to the electronic product it belongs to. This will save a lot of time on the back-end of the move when organized this way.

Moving Tip 8: Color code each box

Knowing which room in the house each box belongs to make things easy.  Color-coding boxes makes things a lot easier. Color coding your boxes will make for an easier transition. Moving from one home to another can easily become a confusing task; however, if you properly color-code each box, you will know exactly where everything belongs. This will help you simplify your unpacking process tremendously. By properly using a color-coding system while packing, your new home will be prepared in no time.

Moving Tip 9: Use egg cartons to transport jewelry.

Egg cartons can hold your jewelry safely and securely during a relocation.  These tiny compartments covered by the lid and secured with tape are a perfect way to ensure nothing falls during transport.  The best part, it’s super affordable. 

Moving Tip 10: Use rolling suitcases

Lifting heavy items all day will lead to fatigue. So, when in Rome, use rolling suitcases for those heavy items such as weights, cookware, or books.  One thing to consider is the weight a suitcase can hold so make sure to check its carrying capacity before loading it up.  When everything checks out, you’ll be glad you used the rolling suitcase when it turns a heavy job into a light one.