When it comes to moving, it’s extremely easy to underestimate the amount of work that needs to be done. Because of this, before you begin packing, grab a pen and paper and go through your house, taking careful inventory of everything that needs to be packed. You’ll gain all kinds of advantages by doing this, such as knowing how much moving supplies you’ll need, and perhaps more importantly, you’ll save a ton of time down the road.
This is just one of many moving-related tips that we here at Movable give to our clients each and every day. In fact, we’re so good at providing moving tips that we thought it would be a good idea to write a blog post about packing tips as well. So without further ado, here are some of the top packing tips we recommend to our clients on a daily basis.
Packing Preparation
As we mentioned in our Seattle Moving Guide, before all your belongings get moved around too much, you may want to pack a “survival kit” that includes most of the items you’ll need while you’re in between homes.
Also, don’t skimp on the supplies. While your professional Movable team members will bring all the necessary items needed on moving day, you’ll need plenty of good-quality supplies beforehand. These include sturdy boxes, packing and masking tape, scissors, utility knives, markers, and packing paper (newspaper or tissue paper will work just fine). Once you have all your supplies in hand and you’re ready to begin packing, keep these tips in mind:
- Make a timetable, and stick to it. Be reasonable, and don’t push yourself too hard.
- Once you begin packing, rooms can quickly become cluttered. Because of this, carve out a small area in each room beforehand that will only be used for packing (e.g. boxes, tape, scissors, bubble wrap, etc.)
- If you can locate the original boxes for large electronics such as televisions and computers, reuse them to your advantage.
Tips to Keep in Mind While You’re Packing
- Empty drawers first, because you probably own a lot more miscellaneous items than you think you do. Also, these areas can contain sharp objects that can puncture boxes, and even liquids that can make a mess.
- Start with items you no longer use, or that are out of season.
- All fragile items such as dishes, fine china, and glassware need to be individually wrapped prior to being placed in boxes.
- Pack heavier items into boxes first, and then add progressively lighter items as you fill it up.
- Avoid over-filling boxes, as this can lead to broken boxes, and even worse, broken valuables.
- Clearly label all boxes. There’s nothing worse than getting to your destination and not remembering where everything goes.
Finished Packing? Keep These Tips in Mind
Whew, now the hard part’s over! But we’re not quire done yet…
- Make sure you sort boxes by weight in each room. This will make the job much easier (and faster) for your Movable professionals.
- If possible, visit your new destination and tape a sign to the door of each room that corresponds with the labels you wrote on boxes (e.g. Master Bedroom, Kitchen, Nursery, etc.).
- Large items that are used frequently, such as couches, love seats, bed frames, etc., can be left in place. Your Movable professional will be happy to disassemble, wrap, and place in the moving truck.
Do You Live in Seattle & Have Packing Tips of Your Own?
If so, we’d love to hear them! Give the professional movers at Movable a call today at (206) 466-7710, or fill out a contact form, and we’ll be in touch shortly.
