20 helpful hacks to use when moving

Before you prepare to actually move, make sure to pack an overnight bag that includes everything you’ll need for however many days it’ll be until you have access to all of your items. And don’t let that bag get lost in the shuffle of everything you’re packing. 

It might seem like this goes without saying, but it’s worth hearing again: Label everything. Label boxes, bags, bins — if it can be written on, write on it. And be very specific. Write what the contents of the container are and which room it goes in at your new place. 

Boxes are an expense, but they’re worth it for more organization. If you can, use matching boxes to pack like items. You can also use matching boxes to separate items if you’re donating anything. 

Trash bags are an excellent way to pack certain items, particularly soft items, and they’re cost-efficient. They work well for pillows and are perfect for packing clothes. Keep your clothes on their hangers and shimmy the trash bag around them for easy moving. 

Use your suitcases and any other bags for packing. Suitcases work especially well for packing books, canned food, and shoes. Label them using masking tape and a permanent marker. 

Don’t let your blankets go to waste. You can pack them away, or you can use them to keep items safe, like artwork and furniture. They also work great as liners in boxes that are being used for breakable kitchen items as another layer of protection. 

Don’t mix items from different rooms in the same box. It may result in more boxes, but it’ll be worth it when you unpack and don’t have to roam around your new place in search of particular items. 

If you’re disassembling furniture, use sandwich bags to hold screws and washers. Label the sandwich bag with the piece of furniture to which they belong and put all the sandwich bags in one quart-size or gallon-size bag. 

We could all stand to get rid of something. While you’re packing, use it as an opportunity to declutter. Use one box to house everything you want to get rid of, and if possible, use another for everything you want to donate. 

When you’re actively packing, keep a basket of packing supplies like tape, markers, scissors, etc. If you have some help, keep a couple of baskets. It’ll save you from having to search for those items every time you need them. 

If you can, rent professional movers. If you can’t, rent dollies. They’re worth the expense. Dollies make the moving process so much quicker and far less painful. They’re especially worth using if you have a history of back or knee pain. 

Again, this might go without saying, but be sure to measure everything. Measure all large items so you know whether they’ll fit through doors and where they’ll work best at your new place. 

Photos are also incredibly helpful when it comes to moving. Take photos of anything you want to replicate at your new place, whether it’s an arrangement of your decor on shelves or which cords go in which ports on electronics. 

When you arrive, you’ll want running water, electricity, and probably WiFi at your new place, so be sure to call ahead and schedule those services to begin the day you move in. 

Make sure to bring certain paper products to your new place, like paper towels and toilet paper. If you’re going to be eating, bring paper plates, plastic silverware, napkins, and trash bags, too. Some hand soap wouldn’t hurt, either. 

Before moving your furniture into your new place, map where you want everything to go. If you aren’t actively moving your furniture into your new place, this will help whoever is doing it to put it where you want it to go. 

When you’re unloading your items, don’t just put all of your boxes in the entryway. Carry them into the room where they belong so you have some instant organization and can unpack them more easily. 

Don’t grocery shop a few days before you’re going to move. Make your last trip to the grocery store a week or two before moving day so you don’t have to move food or throw it away. 

When you move into your new place, you’ll want cleaning supplies at your disposal, so keep them all in a bin that you can easily identify and access. Include items like a broom, a mop, paper towels, and disinfectant. 

Make a master list of everything you’re moving. It might seem like a pain, but you’ll be glad you made it, especially if something gets lost or stolen. Number your boxes and list what’s in each box. That way you can make sure that everything made it safely to your new place.