What are Some Packing Essentials for Moving?

By VanLines.com

When it comes to moving to a new home, the actual moving itself isn’t the problem – it’s the packing! Whether you’ve lived in a home for six months or six years, many people think to themselves “where all this stuff come from?” If you’re already getting tired just even thinking about all the stuff you have to pack and unpack – don’t fret! Here are the essentials to packing you need to know.

First, you need to make sure you have the necessary packing supplies.
You’ll need some moving boxes in different sizes. You can have large boxes for your lighter items – like clothes, sheets, papers etc. For heavier items, like books, make sure you pack them in smaller boxes, to ensure that they aren’t too heavy. You may want to get specialty boxes for breakables and other valuables that you have. For example, glasses and wine glasses should be packed with bubble wrap and put into special “cell” boxes. If you’re environmentally-friendly, you may want to look into renting reusable plastic crates. They not only make your carbon footprint smaller, but they are also sturdier than cardboard boxes.

Don’t forget the other supplies you need.
You’ll want to stock up on packing tape, labels and pens, as well as cushioning materials like bubblewrap, packing foam nuts and packing paper.

Prepare a packing list. You’ll want to keep track of all your items, so you don’t lose them. Go room by room and make a general packing list for each room. Your list should detail the major items in each room, so that when you get to your destination, you know if something is missing or not. It’s easier to pack each room one at a time so you can get organized, and make sure you label each box. If you really want to be organized, use colored stickers for each room. Place the same color stickers on all the boxes and furniture in one room. That way, when your movers bring your things in, all you have to tell them is to put all the same color stickers in the same room.

Don’t pack away everything and think ahead. You probably won’t be able to unpack everything the first day, so have a suitcase or box with your essentials – clothes, toothbrushes, towels, toiletries and even sheets for your first night. Aside from these, you may want to bring some food and cooking utensils, a first aid kit and essentials like paper, pencils etc.

Don’t give your valuables to your movers. Jewelry should always be kept with you when you travel, whether you’re traveling by plane or car. If you have any antiques or heirlooms, keep these with you or get specialty moving companies for them, as well as taking out insurance. If you have pets, you may have to get them shipped or take them with you (check with your airline on the requirements) but don’t let them take your pets in the moving van, as these are not equipped to take pets. Your pets may suffer heat exhaustion, hypothermia or worse. If you keep yourself organized and move through each room one at a time, you’ll be done packing in no time!