Moving Tips
Aug 06, 2020
11 Easy Moving Tips & Tricks
From purging household items to packing your belongings, moving an entire household isn’t a simple process. Fortunately, with the help of these smart moving tips and tricks, it’s about to get a wee bit easier. Here are 11 oh-so-easy moving tips and tricks that anyone can use when moving to a new home. Best of luck and happy moving!
1.Find free moving boxes at recycling drop-off points
Don’t fork over your hard-earned money for cardboard boxes. Instead, look for free moving boxes at your local recycling drop-off points. Chances are, you’ll be able to find plenty of cardboard boxes that have been tossed by neighbors.
2.Reuse original boxes for electronics and appliances
Speaking of moving boxes, don’t forget to reuse your old ones. From the TV to the blender, most electronics and small appliances come delivered in cardboard boxes. If you happen to still have these boxes, we recommend reusing them for the move. Not only does this ensure that your items will fit perfectly in the box, but it also saves you from having to spend money on boxes.
3.Have lots of water bottles on-hand when moving
Given the sheer number of tasks involved when moving, it’s easy to forget the simple things – like the fact that you and your movers will need a lot of water on moving day (especially during the summer). So come moving day, we recommend bringing a pack of bottled water with you to the new house. Trust us – your movers will thank you.
4.Take photos of your belongings before packing them
Hiring movers? Prior to packing your belongings, be sure to take “before” photos of all fragile and/or valuable items. If the mover breaks or damages your items while moving, you may need these photos in order to file a claim and receive compensation.
5.Color-code your moving boxes and household items with post-it notes
Don’t waste money on fancy moving labels. Use simple colored post-it notes to color-code your boxes when moving. For instance, place a pink post-it note on anything you wish donate and a green post-it note on anything you wish to sell. Place orange post-it notes on boxes containing kitchen items; place blue post-it notes on boxes containing office items, etc.
6.Use foam pouches for plates, bowls and glassware
Covering items in plastic wrap and cushioning takes time and a lot of packing tape to secure. Instead try using simple foam pouches to hold everything from dinnerware to glassware. All you have to do is slip the item inside the foam pouch and place it inside a box.
7.Place heavy items in small boxes
While it’s tempting to place heavy items in large boxes, it’s always best to put them inside small boxes instead. Not only will this will make it easier to carry the boxes, but it will also prevent your items from falling out the bottom and breaking the box.
8.Stuff boxes containing fragile items with pillows and blankets
Kill two birds with one stone by stuffing moving boxes containing fragile items with pillows and blankets. This will provide extra cushioning for items and prevent them from breaking, while also allowing you to pack more of your items inside the boxes.
9.Flatten boxes after a move and store for later
Planning on moving again in the next few years? Once you’ve finished unpacking, we highly recommend flattening all boxes and saving them for your next move. This will prevent you from having to purchase or find boxes later.
10.Check cabinets, drawers, appliances and closets before moving out
When moving out, it’s easy to leave things behind. We recommend double checking all kitchen cabinets, bedroom closets, drawers and appliances (think: your fridge) before handing over the keys.
11.Pack a moving day essentials box
Don’t move to a new home without a moving day essentials box or bag. This box should contain anything and everything you might need on moving day (and the following few days). Essentials could include toothbrushes, medications, toiletries, clothing, important documents, baby necessities, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning spray, trash bags, a tool kit, pet food, bottled water, wallets and extras shoes. For a full list of what to pack inside your moving essentials bag, check here.
