While getting around isn’t a cake walk, one of the most painful parts is preparing for your move. Packing can take a lot of time and energy as you prepare things to be ready for moving day. While we’ve covered a number of specific rooms around the house in previous blog posts, we wanted to share 14 general packing tips that could help you get started packing for your move.
Before you start packing your bags, here are 14 things to consider:


Plan ahead


Even if you find yourself in a situation where you need to move quickly, the more time you take to prepare to start packing, the better. Often, people want to start the packing process weeks in advance, but once they walk around their home, they are overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done and therefore don’t start. This only adds to the stress of the day. The more you can plan ahead, the less stressed you are, and you also make sure that on moving day, everything is packed and ready to go.


Make sure you have good boxes

 

This can’t be overemphasized! If eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook community groups can be a way to get free boxes, make sure, before packing for your move, that the boxes you use are sturdy! The last thing you want is for the box to disintegrate in your hands. If you don’t have access to the right boxes, you can contact your sales representative to get boxes or go to the nearest hardware store. They will usually have a selection of moving boxes of different sizes.


Have the right packaging materials on hand

 

While you may not think about it, not having the right packing materials on hand can cost you dearly when you start packing for your move! For example, moving day is approaching and you need to finish 4 rooms. You feel the pressure to go. You’re running out of wrapping paper, so you start using t-shirts and in some boxes you realize that everything will be fine, I just have to make it. In your haste, you used a print to cover your white lamp. shadow. A few days later, you remove a stained lampshade. Not a nice picture. Not having the right equipment on hand can cause you to make concessions and do things you wouldn’t normally do. Take the time to put everything together before packing for your move.


Label your boxes


As we shared in a previous blog post, be sure to label your boxes. Loading a truck is like a part of Tetris. The cartons are moved and positioned in the voids of the load to help tighten the load and minimize movement during transport. By marking the boxes and telling your movers what’s in the box, it will give them a better idea of where to put it. For example, a toolbox may not be as fragile as a box containing a lampshade, and will be stronger to place at the bottom of the load. Labeling will not only help your crew, but will also help you when unpacking. You will know what is in a box, what needs to be unpacked and what is not.


Pack room by room

 

Packing for your move can take a lot of time when you go from room to room. This will not only lengthen the packaging process, but will also leave you feeling frustrated, and as if you haven’t accomplished much, you’re killing your momentum. Room-by-piece packaging can not only give you a sense of accomplishment, but also allow you to create momentum when working to pack everything.


Organize a room before packing


Before you start packing your bags for your move and moving room by room, take some time to go through everything in the room. While it may be easier to simply drop all the paperwork in your office in one box, not only will that leave you with more boxes at your destination, but you’ll also need to find accommodation for all the clutter. The harder the work you do at the end of the origin, the easier it will be to install and decompress your new home. In addition, most movements are calculated based on the amount of weight moved. The more clutter you can get, the more you can help reduce your moving costs.

Start with less-used parts

 

When you start packing your bags, it can be beneficial to start with less crowded rooms. For example, starting to pack your master bedroom may not be a good idea as you will need items from your bedroom for daily use until you move. Starting in less crowded rooms reduces the chances that you will pack the items you need and allows you to work without getting in the way of everyday life. Sure, as you get closer to the day, you’ll need to tackle bedrooms and kitchens, but starting in less crowded rooms can help build momentum when packing and will allow you to start packing earlier. which can reduce stress.


Keep boxes to a maximum of 50 lbs


When you start packing for your move, it’s important not to exceed 50 lbs per box. While you can fit more stuff in a big box, that doesn’t mean you should. This can not only injure those who wear it, but also damage the contents of the box, in case someone loses control of the box during transport. Heavier items should be placed in smaller boxes that are easier to transport and handle. The heavier the item, the smaller the box should be.


Pack cartons 102%

 

When preparing for your move, make sure you pack the boxes 102%. When the boxes are full, this tightens the contents of the box and prevents objects from moving or moving during transport. This helps to avoid damaging the items inside the carton and makes it easier to load, as the cartons will not be crushed or crumbled during transport. Cartons that are 95% or even 99% full have soft capsules that can break and cause problems because the loads can move as the truck passes on the highway. The more the carton is filled, the less risk of damage during transport.


Have Ziploc bags handy

 

Everyone who packs their bags and moves a house, whether it’s an apartment, has a spam drawer. This drawer is usually filled with small trinkets like phone chargers, toothpicks, and other small items. While these items can be placed in wrapping paper, it can be easy for them to get lost when unpacking. Having Ziploc bags can help keep small items together.


Know what you can and can’t take with you

 

It’s important that when you start packing, you know what your movers can and can’t take. While most household items are easy to move, there are items that your movers are not legally allowed to bring with them in the truck. Make sure you know what they are!


Everything that can fit in a box should be in a box

 

When you start packing for your move, make sure smaller items that can fit in a box are packed in a box. Things that would fall into this category would be things like table lamps, small stools, newspaper holders, and even smaller boxes. Not only does this reduce the number of trips your movers will have to make, but it’s also the safest way to transport smaller items. Remember, if it can fit in a box, put it in a box!


Make an assembly card

 

Make sure that when you start packing for your move, you make an assembly cardboard. Installation boxes are boxes used for items that require installation in your new home. Some typical items that can be included in a setup box are items such as bed screws or hardware for anything that can be disassembled, TV remotes, bookcase studs, etc. Setup boxes allow you to keep small items organized and gathered for Ease your move and installation.
Take personal items with you

When you start packing, make sure you take all personal items such as passports, financial documents, jewelry, etc. with you. The reason for this is the same as that given in tip 10. These objects are small and can easily get lost during decompression. It doesn’t hurt to lose small items with wrapping paper, so it’s easier if you take them with you.

This list of items may seem tedious, but here are some simple tips that will help you make sure your wares are ready for moving day and ensure successful packaging. We can’t repeat step 1 enough, by the time you start packing your bags, give yourself as much time as possible. The more time you have, the more systematically you are able to work from home. Leaving things at the last minute can cause unnecessary stress and cause you to make tidying up mistakes because you’re in a hurry. The more time you have, the better!