Moving Hacks for Faster, Easier, Less Stressful Moves

Moving can be a stressful process that can take its toll on even the best planners, whether they move often or pack up there. However, there are ways to make the process smoother and reduce the workload. You can try our top packing and moving hacks to pack and unpack faster and more efficiently.

Don’t worry; it’s not too good to be true. By using these creative tips, you can improve your moving experience.

How to Move: Getting Prepared

Starting early is crucial when it comes to packing for a move. So, let’s explore some moving hacks that will help you get a good head start.

Determine whether you will be doing it yourself or seeking professional help.

• When faced with the daunting task of moving, feeling overwhelmed and panicked is easy. The first step is to consider whether for a DIY move.
• To find trustworthy and dependable movers, visit our directory of moving companies. Alternatively, check out our guide to the top truck rental companies if you opt for a truck rental.
• Getting at least three quotes from different companies as soon as possible is crucial so you can move on to other tasks.

Create a moving checklist.

• After hiring movers or renting a truck, the next step is to determine the necessary actions. As new tasks arise, add them to the list. Staying organized will alleviate the stress of moving.
•  Still, generally, you’ll need to transfer or cancel utilities at your old residence and set up utilities at your new home. If you require new healthcare providers, transfer your medical records.
• If you’re moving with pets, gather your pet’s veterinarian records. If your children are transferring to a new school district, inform the school of the move and locate a school in your new area.

Set your budget

• To avoid unexpected costs on top of everything else, it’s crucial to be aware of the expenses associated with moving, which can be significant. You can use our online moving cost calculator to estimate how much you’ll need to spend.

Plan out your packing supplies.

• To ensure you have all the necessary packing supplies on your first trip to the store, use our packing calculator to determine how much you’ll require and what you need to purchase.

Eat up

• Movers cannot transport perishable food items, so eating as much food as you already have at home before moving day is essential. Additionally, you can donate unopened and unexpired food to a local food bank to do some good.
• If you’re working with a Move for Hunger relocation company partner, your movers can collect the unwanted food items and transport them to the local food bank for you.
• The non-profit organization collaborates with hundreds of relocation companies, so you should be able to find a mover to suit your needs quickly.

Getting rid of stuff

• Organizing your belongings and decluttering before your move will make the process much easier. 
• Go through each room and take inventory of what can go. Remember to open closets, cabinets, and drawers.
• Consider whether you would repurchase each item. If not, get rid of it.
• Schedule a donation pickup for large items like furniture and rugs. Check out charities that offer this service.
• If you need more clarification about removing some items, consider short-term storage.
• They’ll dispose of the trash, donate items to charity, and leave you free to focus on other tasks.

Saving money on your move

• To keep your moving costs down, follow these moving budget hacks:
• Obtain quotes from at least three movers To ensure you receive the best price, and a moving company may even reduce their estimate to secure your business.
• Consider all your moving options. Determine your most cost-effective option.
• Find free packing supplies. You can often obtain free packing supplies by calling local retailers or asking friends and family members.
• Remain flexible. To save money, consider a mid-week, mid-month move if you have some leeway regarding when to relocate. More expensive due to higher demand.

How to pack for a move

• Pack packing supplies last so you have them on hand during the move.
• Use linens, towels, and other soft items to wrap fragile items like glasses and perfume bottles. Use dish towels to wrap up knives and other sharp objects in the kitchen.
• Pack heavy items in suitcases with wheels for easy transportation.
• Set up boxes only as you need them to keep your space clear.
• Color-code boxes by assigning a color to each room to identify where each box goes.
• Label boxes with their destination rooms, mark them as fragile and take pictures of box contents.
• Pack a moving essentials bag with personal items you’ll need access to during and after the move, such as important documents, medications, chargers, toiletries, and a change of clothes.
• Pack an essentials box with items you’ll need right after the move, such as paper towels, toilet paper, water, plates, plastic utensils, and more.

Living room packing tips

• Prepare for any damage while in transit by backing up your hard drive.
• Please take a picture of the back of your TV while it is still plugged in. This will help you remember where all the wires go when setting it back up later.
• If you don’t have the original box, use a moving blanket to transport a TV. Keep the TV propped up, not lying down. Wedge it between mattresses or other soft furniture items to keep it propped up in the moving truck.
• Remove light bulbs from lamps to prevent them from breaking in transit. Use bubble wrap and box them.
• Make large items easier to transport by removing fixtures or accessories. 

How to move your bedroom

• When moving, keep items in your dresser drawers by taking the drawers out and securing them with plastic wrap. Alternatively, wrap the dresser in plastic if it’s light enough.
• Hang your clothes on their hangers and either group them in large garbage bags or in a wardrobe box.
• Roll your clothes instead of folding them when packing them in drawers to save space.
• Organize your shoes in liquor store boxes, which often have dividers. Consider packing small items with your shoes to maximize space.
• To keep your mattress clean during transit, place a fitted sheet over it if you are not using a mattress bag.

Kitchen packing hacks

• Packaging them vertically ensures that your plates are less likely to crack or break during transit. Wrap them well or use foam pouches.
• For easy access to essential appliances like your coffee maker and toaster, put them in a laundry basket and immediately place them on your counter in your new place.
• Transport your flatware and serving utensils easily by wrapping the tray in plastic wrap and laying it flat in the box. Pack knives on their side and cover each blade. 
• Remember to defrost and clean your fridge a day or two before the move, prep large appliances by unplugging them, removing any hoses, and taping all doors shut.
• Pack them together in a sealed plastic bin to prevent liquids from damaging valuables during your move. Secure the openings of oils and sauces with plastic wrap to prevent leaks. Line the box with a garbage bag for extra protection if using cardboard.

Dining room packing tips

• Disassemble lamps by removing the harps and light bulbs and wrapping them separately. Then, cover the bases and place them in a box with bubble wrap or paper to fill any space. 
• Lamp shades should be wrapped individually with towels, pillowcases, or tissue paper and stacked in a box if they are different sizes.
• Paper pads or blankets should be used to protect table leaves instead of plastic wrap, which can trap moisture.
• Area rugs should be cleaned and rolled, and curtains and drapes should be folded lengthwise and lined with paper or plastic bags before being packed in boxes. 
• For large mirrors, paintings, and valuable artwork, mirror, and picture boxes, customizable boxes, or heavy-duty cardboard artwork shippers should be used. 
• Professional movers may offer crates for artwork and will know how to handle and care for it during the move.

Moving tips: bathrooms

• Pack your necessities last and place them in your moving essentials bag on moving day, including toothbrushes, deodorant, hair products, and other daily essentials.
• Ensure easy access to a first aid kit on a moving day in case of injuries.
• Prevent spills in transit by wrapping a tiny bit of plastic around items that might spill, such as soap, shampoo, and cleaning supplies.
• Pack small items in sealable plastic bags to avoid losing them during transit. Label the bags for easier unpacking.
• Provide extra protection from leaks or breakage by lining boxes with towels or garbage bags when packing toiletries, appliances, and beauty products.
• Wrap fragile items in towels and fill voids in boxes. Label the boxes as weak.
•  Place them on top of heavy boxes or in garbage bags.
• Store jewelry in egg cartons to prevent tangling and misplacing paired items like earrings. Tape the cartons shut when done.

Moving-day moving hacks

• Pack up the day before moving to avoid last-minute packing that can slow down the day.
• Pack a cooler with easy-to-grab items to keep your strength up throughout the day, and move it in the car.
• Arranging alternate plans for their care relieves stress and keeps them safe.
• Wake up early to give yourself enough time before the movers arrive, or it’s time to pick up the rental truck.
• Use a moving day to-do list to keep track of everything that needs to get done on a moving day.
• Dress appropriately to minimize the risk of injuries while moving.
• Clear a path for the movers to move your belongings safely and label any hazards.
• Pack any last-minute items, including an essentials bag and box with everyday bathroom items and first-night necessities.
• Keep sealable plastic bags on hand to organize hardware from disassembled furniture.
• Lift boxes properly to avoid injury and ask for help if needed.
• Stock up on refreshments like water, nuts, protein bars, or sandwiches for everyone.
• Take advantage of the final walkthrough to ensure you’ve retrieved everything and left the space in good condition.
• Take pictures of your utility meters to check for accuracy in the final bill.

Last-minute moving hacks

• Before doing anything else, determine how you will get from point A to point B. You cannot wing this aspect of the move.
• Pack your belongings now and sort them later. Take special care in wrapping valuables, breakables, and sharp items. However, don’t pressure yourself to organize or label your boxes.
• If you’re working with a moving company, let them handle tasks like wrapping furniture and packing last-minute items into boxes. This might increase the time and cost of the move.

Unpacking tips

• Give yourself a deadline by scheduling a housewarming party or get-together a few weeks after your move.
• Give yourself no choice by dumping a box’s worth onto your bed or in your bathtub, forcing you to clear everything out and put everything away.
• Please get rid of boxes as you empty them by breaking them down and recycling them, giving you a physical marker of progress and clearing up space in your new home.

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