Relocating is a stressful and daunting process, and a large part of the stress is from having to pack up your entire house. This may appear impossible when you think of doing it, but once you roll up your sleeves and get determined and make use of our helpful tips and solutions, it’s not that difficult.
Before you pack the first box, make sure to read our complete guide so that you don’t miss any helpful information.
Get Hold of Packing Supplies
From the movement you decide to move, start looking for moving boxes. You can purchase a large number of cardboard boxes in good general condition (strong and clean) from a local moving firm or for a few bucks from local supermarkets, bookshops, hardware stores, etc.
You will also need some other packing supplies such as bubble wrap sheets, packing paper, packing tape, scissors, and a bold black marker for labeling.
Start Early & Don’t Push the Work to the Last Minute.
Packing stuff is a time-consuming task unless you plan to put stuff randomly into boxes which will become a headache afterward. Apart from time, packing also requires patience, efficiency, commitment, and organization. We usually don’t realize how much of our stuff is behind our drawers, closets, and cabinets unless we start taking them out.
So, pending your work will only give you stress and become a burden in the end. The earlier you start, the better and lesser stressed you would feel. A good strategy would be to spare two more days than you think you will need.
Get a List of Items that Are Forbidden for Transportation
Packing prohibited things such as hazardous products (explosive, flammable, and corrosive substances), plants, perishable foods, and objects of high monetary or emotional worth could be a waste of time and energy if your moving company will not transport them for you.
So, requesting a list of non-allowable items from your moving company ahead of time can be an excellent precautionary measure that will save you from disappointment later on.
Tracking Unneeded Stuff
A person usually has more stuff than they think or need; the same applies to our houses. They are filled with a lot of stuff that sometimes we even forget about many items. Before moving, go through all of your stuff and evaluate what you need what you don’t. Now that you have decided on the stuff you are not taking with you to your next place, it’s time to categorize it into two piles: sell and donate.
Sell the stuff you think you can make some money off. There are a lot of online platforms where you can sell your secondhand stuff, such as Facebook marketplace, etc. Or you can hold a garage sale. It’s all up to you.
If you are more inclined towards giving your stuff to needy people, donating it to your local NGOs, women, children, and homeless shelters would be an excellent idea. Decide where you want to donate, see what they take, and organize your stuff accordingly.
Sort Everything into Categories
When going through the stuff you will be taking to your new place, categorize them into their respective categories. This way, when packing stuff, you can put all of the items belonging to a category at the same place, making it much easier for you to reach when you need them later on.
Follow Safety Packing Measures
When packing your belongings for a move, use all basic safety packing procedures. Safe packing is exactly what will protect your possessions on the road and will ensure not only their well-being but peace of mind for you as well.
Here are some of the safety packing measures for you to follow;
- Make sure your bath and face towels are dry before you pack them; otherwise, the moisture can deform cardboard boxes.
- Pack a small box with no more than 50 pounds, a medium box with 65 pounds, and a big box with 70 pounds of weight. Use extra-large boxes for bulky items that are not heavy, like linens and comforters, duvets, clothing, and pillows.
- To avoid your fragile liquid belongings coming into contact with one another during transit, put them travel containers.
- Wrap your knives and other such items in kitchen towels and other clothes and tie them with a rubber band or thread.
- Power tools should be packed in their original boxes or similar sized containers with all removable parts separately stored. Coil the power wires and wrap the tools in bubble wrap or old towels to protect them.
- Gather all of the long-handled garden equipment you own, wrap them with a large, heavy cloth, cover their sharp edges with discarded clothing, and tape them together.
- For furniture, you should disassemble them as much as possible. Store all small items and screws in Ziploc bags. Tape these bags to the furniture or put them in a separate moving container.
Labeling
Labeling the packed boxes appropriately not only will save time but also save you from stress and confusion later. Keep a bold black marker on hand and mark the contents or category it belongs to, its destination place or room, and special handling instructions such as fragile, handle with care on at least two sides of each packed box.
Counting and Listing
Now that you have packed all of your stuff and labeled what’s inside what box, it’s time for you to make a list of all the boxes and furniture pieces. Count how many boxes you have and mention numbers on those boxes. Next, take a paper and write the total number of boxes and then separately write those numbers and what’s inside each no box.
Need Movers Packing Help Maryland Washington DC VIRG?
For best packing & unpacking services, contact Swiftway Services. Its office, home, or multifamily moving, the company offers the best and most reliable services in town at rates you cannot refuse.
