Moving is an inevitable aspect of life. Some people move quite a lot, and then some have never had to move, or at least for the first 16 or 25 years. Whether relocating or reorganizing your home, packing is not easy. Disassembling and then assembling all of the stuff doesn’t just sound chaotic. It can be a very disordered and messy process if you do not coordiante and organize your efforts.
Today, we will share tips for fast, easy, and non-frustrating packing and unpacking ideas. Make sure you give it a thorough read so your tumultuous packing can go smoothly and you can enjoy the process.
1. Divide And Conquer In Categories
Since packing is a disruptive process, you do not have to make it more chaotic by going about it randomly. Instead of turning the whole room or house upside down, divide everything in your home into different categories. You can separate items based on the room in which they should go. For example, every member of your family or roommates should pack their garments and shoes. Pack them and then label each box. Then, move on to a different category, for instance, crockery. If you pack all things systematically, you can pack everything perfectly and safely.
2. Arrange Storage Unit In Advance
Anyone moving to another country or perhaps a different city should look into suitable storage options. A reliable storage unit can ease the pressure of relocation because you can keep your bulky furniture or electronic items safe and secure until moving them to your new home. You can google “storage units Lawrence” for self-storage listings in and around Lawrence, Kansas. Even if you are not relocating, you can still utilize these units to store your stuff for some time so you can organize other details of your move before settling into a new place.
3. Not Everything Is Useful
Yes, please, it’s time to accept that not everything in your house is useful. Restrict yourself and your family to pack necessary stuff only and identify all the things they don’t need anymore. Collect all the things you will not use, including old clothes, toys, electronic items, etc., around the house, and try to sell them or donate them to a charity. This way, you will be helping others as well as yourself.
4. Grab Some Moving Supplies
Buy all the necessary supplies like cartons, plastic bags, bubble wraps, foils, and packing tape. Yes, borrow some huge suitcases from your friends or family beforehand so unnecessary delays do not hamper your packing process. These supplies are not expenses; they are your investment in the safe transfer of your belongings. You can also ask your neighbors or nearby mini-mart or store for extra storage boxes that might come in handy later.
5. Use Orignal boxes
It’s time to dust off that original TV, refrigerator, microwave boxes, and saved boxes in your garage. If you still have these large appliances’ packaging, you can safely repack them in their original cartons.
6. Cleaning out the Fridge
When you start emptying the fridge, you have to make major decisions about fresh, frozen, and dry goods. An ideal plan is to set a timeline to use up all the fresh and edible food items in the weeks before you pack the fridge and replace only the daily essentials. If you don’t have the time, the best idea is to transfer or give it to a current neighbor or your nearby friends and family. However, donating the food to charity is a better idea.
7. Plastic bags for hanging clothes
Instead of pulling out all your clothes off the hanger, leave them on the hangers and cover them with a large plastic bag to wrap them. The plastic covering allows you to easily carry the bunch of clothes as one without worrying about any of them falling out.
8. Do not empty your drawers
You can leave your clothes and stuff in the chest of drawers and lock them up. This way, you will not have to reorganize it, and everything will remain in order and clean. However, you might cling wrap those drawers for extra safety, so there is no chance of them coming out and spilling your things during the move. It is a great way to avoid unnecessary work and not add any extra burden on yourself.
9. Take pictures
When dismounting the TV, and dismantling furniture, record a video or take pictures beforehand. It can be quite difficult to remember which wire or screw goes where, so when you reassemble them, you can use these recorded videos and pictures as a reference. Also, you can add numbers to the screws and on the underside of the corresponding furniture piece for a bed or table to identify which screw goes where. Keep all screws in separate bags marked with the name of the furniture piece from which you removed them.
10. Plastic pouches
When stripping everything down, use plastic or other bags to collect all the screws, nuts, and cables. Label every bag as a dresser screws bag, a fan screws bag, etc. Some nuts and screws are uncommon, and they usually come with the original item, and if you lose them during the move, you will be in a lot of trouble later.
11. Pack An Overnight Bag
Pack at least one set of clothes, toiletries, medicines, storybooks, possibly some playing cards to pass the time, and cellphones and chargers for yourself and your family for a one-night stay.
12. Pack Bedding
It would be best to consider your sleeping arrangements for the first night at your new location. What if you’re too exhausted to set up beds, or your furniture hasn’t arrived, or you did not unload it yet? You can utilize air mattresses, and you should have your pillows and blankets to get a good night’s sleep before going back to work the next day.
13. Cover All The Chemicals And Detergents
Everything from your dish soap to your laundry detergent must be packed with care, especially if you have children or pets. To keep a liquid chemical or detergent from leaking, remove the tops, place a plastic bag to cover the lid, and replace the caps. It would be best to fasten the lids tightly to avoid the potential threat of spillage, which may destroy your floors, carpets, and clothing. Amid the mayhem, who knows what will happen. You can also use a bucket to transport all cleaning supplies and amenities.
14. Load heavy items first
Consider loading large objects first while packing your belongings into a vehicle, such as furniture pieces or electronics. Finish with small, lighter items like stands, side tables, boxes, etc.
Final Thoughts!
Remember, the first step in planning your move is reviewing, evaluating, and streamlining the process. Make sure you list down every important belonging so you can check to confirm that everything has reached your new home. Don’t pack any food items, and never pack flammable or explosive materials in a carton to be transported by you or a mover. If your moving company does not accommodate plants, make separate arrangements to transport your plants. Keep all your receipts to check for tax-deductible items while filing taxes.
Even reading all this was quite a trip! If you follow the tips properly, you will enjoy your moving experience thoroughly instead of stressing over everything. A little forethought and a lot of muscle can help you pack with smooth efficiency from the kitchen to the bathroom.
