Make Your Move Easier

Attitude is Everything

First, get in the right mindset. No one wants to pack, but since it has to be done, you might as well make the best of it. So find your inner-packer. Being efficient is key, but it’s your positive attitude that will get you through.

Don’t Put it Off

Packing takes longer than you think. If you leave it to the last minute, it’ll be overwhelming. So, start two or three weeks before moving day. Pack several boxes a day. At the end of the first week, you’ll have so much less to do.

Things You’ll Need Right Away In Your New Home

Separate out what you’ll need as soon as you get there. Include sheets, towels, toiletries, sleepwear, a change of clothes, a shower curtain and a few things to eat with. If you have pets, include pet food and other key items for them.

These things can be put in a suitcase or clothes hamper. You’ll have easy access and won’t confuse these items with things in boxes.

Hazardous Items

Some common household items can’t be shipped, because they’re hazardous. These include:

• Flammables (paint thinner, nail polish remover, matches)
• Explosives and combustibles (hair spray, alcoholic beverages, batteries)
• Perishable Items (non-canned food and plants)
• All Household cleaners including air fresheners
• Poisonous materials (insecticides, weed killers, disinfectants)
• Hazardous materials (acids and automotive fluids)

It’s safest to check with your moving company for a complete, updated list.

Valuables

You should personally transport your high priced and priceless items. These include:

• Cash
• Important papers including legal and sensitive documents (contracts, wills, passports, etc.)
• Heirlooms and expensive jewelry
• Photos
• Prescription drugs

Get the Right Supplies

Gather materials first, so you don’t have to slow down to look for things.

Use Boxes Intended for Moving

The grocery store or liquor store boxes are often dirty. Plus, they may not hold the weight of your items and may not close correctly. Instead, buy packing boxes or better yet, get used ones. Some packing companies take back still-good boxes at their stores so others can reuse them for free. It’s a good move for the planet as well as for you.

What else you’ll need

• Paper – We suggest packing paper rather than ink-smudging newspaper
• Bubble wrap
• Markers – a variety of colors lets you use a distinct color for each room
• Tape
• Sturdy trash bags

Designate a “Packing Room”

Chose a less-used room or section of a room to serve as Packing Central. Put together a bunch of boxes first, since momentum is key.

Don’t Mix Items

Pack items from different rooms in different boxes. Also, focus on one area of a room at a time. It’ll be so much easier to get organized in your new home.

Don’t Make Boxes Too Heavy

Use small boxes for heavy things like books. Large boxes should have lighter stuff. If a box breaks, it’ll slow things down.

Don’t Empty Dressers

It makes your packing time longer, wastes usable space and makes more loads for the movers. So, leave dressers and chests gull. If they are empty, fill them with linens. Suitcases can also be filled.

Knickknacks

To prevent small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap them in brightly-colored tissue paper. Label the box clearly. (And unpack slowly and carefully.)

Label Clearly

Label both sides, so you don’t have to search for the label when unloading. Include the room name and general description of the contents.

Note if contents are fragile, though don’t count on that to make movers be careful. Fragile things need to be packed very carefully. Bubble wrap is your friend.

Don’t Forget Trash Bags

Not everything needs to go in a box. Trash bags squish and fit in small spaces where boxes won’t. Fill them with soft things that won’t break.

Hanging Clothes

Most packing companies have tall boxes with metal bars for hanging clothes. No need to take clothes off hangers, fold, pack and rehang!

Although some artwork and lamps will fit in boxes—remember to use lots of bubble wrap—many won’t. Use blankets and towels as pads. Tape well. Lampshades and bulbs should be removed.

If you take apart any furniture, be sure to tape nuts and bolts securely to the furniture. Roll up area rugs tight and tape them. Don’t skimp on the tape. Things unroll and loosen more easily than you think.

Get help from family and friends! Even if they only pack a few boxes, it’s a few less for you to do, plus catching up with them can make the time fly.  Test out a combination of these ideas to make your move easier. And if you need help with getting a loan for a great new home, contact us at Galaxy Lending Group. We won’t come over and pack for you, but we offer great terms on your new home loan. Happy moving day!