Most homeowners are familiar with basic moving supplies such as boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. But there are a lot of items they frequently leave out - small but important elements that save time, effort, and stress. If you’re planning a move this season, don't forget about these often overlooked moving essentials.
Furniture Sliders
Furniture sliders are small pieces of felt, plastic, or rubber that fit under the legs of your furniture and appliances, allowing you to slide heavy items across the floor instead of carrying them. Sliders made of soft material, such as felt, are best on hardwood floors, while sliders made of hard material, such as plastic, allow you to move furniture over carpets without snagging the fibers.
Tool Kit
Disassembling beds, dressers, tables, and bookshelves is often faster and safer than moving them intact. Most of these can be set up and taken apart with a few simple tools, such as a screwdriver, Allen wrench, needle-nosed pliers, utility knife, and electric drill. If you plan on hanging pictures, you’ll want a hammer as well.
First Aid Kit
Precautions reduce the risk of cuts, scrapes, and bruises, but don’t eliminate them. To be safe, purchase a first aid kit or make one yourself. You’ll need:
- Adhesive bandages
- Gauze pads
- Medical tape
- Elastic bandages (ACE wrap)
- Alcohol wipes
- Antiseptic ointment
- Safety pins
- Pain relievers
- Disposable latex gloves
Most injuries are caused by improper lifting techniques. If you’re handling the move on your own, protect your health by asking for help carrying heavy items. Break awkward loads into smaller pieces, if you can. Use a dolly whenever possible. And wear gloves when handling glass or sharp objects.
Cleaning Supplies
The best time to clean your home is before your furniture and belongings have been set up. With direct access to all the nooks and crannies of your house, you can clear away dust and dirt from hard-to-reach places. Realtors and property managers are responsible for tidying homes before you move in, but in case they missed anything you’ll want to bring:
- Paper towels
- Sponges
- Glass cleaner
- All purpose cleaner
- Dustpan
- Hand broom
- Garbage bags
If you’re moving into a carpeted space, you may want to include a vacuum cleaner as well. A hand vacuum will tackle problem areas as well as a full-size one, so unless you plan on vacuuming the whole house, it might be all you need.
Ziploc Bags
After dismantling your furniture, keep track of the nuts, bolts, screws, and washers by storing them in a plastic bag. To avoid confusion, you’ll need a separate bag for each item of furniture. Streamline the reassembly process by labeling them or taping them to the item they belong to. Plastic bags are also helpful when cleaning out drawers. Use them to store any small items you find, to prevent them from rolling around and getting lost.
Toilet Paper
Setting up your bathroom should be one of your first priorities after arriving at your new home. Because you may need to use the bathroom before you’ve set it up, it’s always best to be prepared by bringing at least one roll of toilet paper per bathroom with you, to sustain you until you have time to go shopping.
Lightbulbs
While most new homeowners don’t experience any problems with their lights, bringing a few extra lightbulbs is a good idea nonetheless. A blown light is not only inconvenient, but a potential safety hazard. Moving items in dark conditions increases your risk of tripping and falling.
Keys
House keys, car keys, and storage room keys provide easy access to your property. Before starting your move, collect all the keys in your home and keep them close by throughout the entire process - to avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
Snacks and Water
Moving is tiring. Homeowners will be on their feet most of the day - directing movers, carrying boxes, or unpacking belongings. Stay alert by hydrating regularly and eating healthy snacks, especially in hot weather. Water or sports drinks will help replenish your fluids while snacks such as trail mix, protein bars, hard-boiled eggs, and beef jerky will restore your energy.
Personal Documents
Though you won’t need them to complete your move, legal documents such as passports, birth certificates, and social security cards are easy to overlook and hard to replace. Create a special folder for them and store them in a secure location where you can get to them quickly, if needed. They’re so important that most movers recommend carrying them with you rather than placing them on your moving truck.
Your Full-Service Moving Company
Moves are complicated, but we make them simple. North American’s full-service moving teams don’t just handle transport and delivery. We streamline the entire process from start to finish. We not only pack your belongings and disassemble your furniture. We assist with set-up and reassembly as well. We even coordinate storage, auto transport, and delivery of specialty items. Make your move as stress-free as possible. Contact us today for a free quote!