Posts Tagged Packing Tips

Packing Supplies for ANY Move

Packing Supplies

If you’ve watched any of your neighbors move in recent years, you’ve probably seen a whole spectrum of packing supplies be used.  There’s the family that goes way over the top with half a dozen dollies, a giant moving truck, and enough bubble wrap and packing paper for 15 moves.  Then there’s the other family who grabs used grocery store boxes, throws their stuff in, and hopes for the best.  Fortunately for you, there are a few standard packing supplies that fit any move, regardless of your specific needs…

1. Bubble wrap

This is a must for anyone moving items that can be broken by anything harder than a light bump.  You would probably be amazed at how easy it is for your favorite bowl or vase to end up in pieces from even a relatively gentle van ride.  A layer of bubble wrap is just what those breakables need to survive their journey.  And don’t be reluctant to add an extra layer for any especially prized items.

2. Moving blankets

Consider these a type of bubble wrap for your larger items.  Wooden furniture is in special need of protection during your move, as items that jostle or bump against it can cause scratches or gouges.  Moving blankets help soften the blow of any unexpected shifting in the back of your moving truck.  Like many other packing supplies, moving blankets are also versatile.  Before covering your furniture, try using your moving blankets as “moving rugs” underneath some heavier (well-balanced) items, allowing you to safely drag them along.

3. Packing tape

You also might be surprised how many people never bother to tape their moving boxes before loading them up.  Your moving boxes simply are not fully protective with an tapeless top.  Items inside are much more likely to shift without tape, not to mention the mess you’ll find if any of your untaped boxes tips over.  Give your items that last loving touch with some high quality packing tape right across the top of those moving boxes.  And, when in doubt, double-tape the bottom of especially heavy boxes.  Your toes will appreciate it.

Your move will likely require some other specialty packing supplies not on this list, but these three cornerstones of moving should get you started on the right track.

Tags: , , ,

5 Moving Tips For A Hassle Free Move

moving tipsMoving is far from an enjoyable task; although the thought of moving to your dream house is exciting, the actual process of moving can be very stressful and can ruin your excitement altogether. In order to save you from the hassles of moving, here are some tips that came from experienced movers. Thankfully, a lot of people have gone through the process of moving and we can all learn from their experiences.

Get rid of things you don’t need

Before thinking of packing, look around your house and decide which things you want to keep and which items can be disposed of. Generally, houses are full of clutter and unused items that will only make your move even more stressful. Having a garage sale usually takes care of this problem; which is good because you get to earn extra during the process. You can also donate the items if you’re feeling charitable.

Empty your pantry

Pack as little food as possible. What you want to do is lessen your grocery shopping at least a month before your scheduled move so you have time to consume canned goods and other packed food that you may have.

Create a checklist

One of the reasons why moves turn into a disaster is lack of order. The process is difficult enough so you’d want to be as organized as possible. Create a “To-Do” list and schedule ahead to avoid stress.

Start packing weeks before your move

Don’t wait until the last minute before you pack. An average room takes about 5 hours to pack so just think of the time needed if you are packing a 5 bedroom house. Add to that the time needed to pack your kitchen, living room, etc…

Properly label your boxes

Knowing which goes where is important and will make unpacking easier. Clearly label the boxes and put notes on it so you’ll know what’s in them in just one look. You can also create priority by labeling those that need to be unpacked first in red.

Moving is a mind game and the better you plan it the easier it will be for you. Your goal is to make the move as organized as possible so it takes less time and effort.

Tags: ,

Moving Supplies You Shouldn’t Be Without

moving suppliesMoving can be a hassle if you do not have the right moving supplies available for use, imagine having to run to and from a store every time you realize that you are missing something important. In order to avoid this, you have to prepare essential moving supplies before hand. Do not assume that you have everything you need until you have checked that everything is indeed in place. Here are some important things that you need when moving.

Moving boxes – These are probably the most important moving supplies that you’ll need. These are specialized boxes that are used specifically for moving, they come in various sizes and are readily available at your local moving supply store. Don’t make the mistake of using old boxes at your house just to save a few dollars, used boxes are not sturdy and will not provide the much needed support, especially when you start stacking boxes on top of them.

Bubble wrap – Breakable items such as porcelain vases, glass jars, mirrors, and other electronic items like laptops should be wrapped in a bubble wrap before being placed in a box. This is to make sure that they don’t break during the move.

Packaging tape – Make sure to seal your moving boxes with a packaging tape to prevent items from falling off during the move. Your things could scatter inside the moving van and that’s something that you don’t want to happen.

Marker – Labeling your moving boxes is very important. There’s nothing more stressful than having 10 or 20 anonymous boxes right in front of you. Label the boxes after you fill them up and it’s also wise to pack related items together.

Edge protectors – These are used to protect edges, as the name suggests, and are used with tables and other furniture. Bumps and grinds when moving are unavoidable so better be prepared.

Moving supplies play a big role in making your move efficient and hassle free so preparing them beforehand is important. What I always do is I list down everything that I need before going to a moving supply store, this saves me from a trip backs due to forgotten items. I suggest you do the same or just purchase moving kits as they generally have everything you need.

Tags: , , ,