The Ultimate Moving Advice for Convenience

Ask any experienced moving professional, and they will generally all agree that getting the art of successful moving down to a completely mastered skill takes more time and practice than most people will ever find on their hands.

However, there are a number of skills and tricks for easier moving that even the newest of moving newbies can expect to take on with the right preparation—and take it from the professionals when we say that every little bit helps.

Below, we’ve compiled some of the most popular and useful moving tips for you to take advantage of when taking on your upcoming or ongoing move. Read the tips compiled ahead, and before you know it you’ll be going into your moving process with a renewed sense of confidence.

Separate and individually wrap any liquids

Be it dish soap or shampoo, anything to do with liquid goods that you intend to take with you will need to be given extra care to ensure that they don’t cause spills or leakage along the way. Some simple solutions can include wrapping these items in plastic wrap, placing them in sealable plastic bags, etc. However, avoid putting multiple items in the same bag if possible.

It can often be a pain to successfully pack opened liquid containers without making a mess along the way. If all else fails, you might consider opting for solid forms of products such as soap or cleaning products in the meantime, or even just worrying about restocking your new home with fresh liquid toiletries and the like once you get settled in.

Devise a smart labeling system

Regardless of how you choose to go about this one, the act of labeling your boxes and packaged goods with a consistent and easy to understand labeling system tends to be paramount in determining how easy your unpacking process goes. An easy way to label boxes by room include labeling your packages with the use of colors—red for the kitchen, blue for the living room, etc. In a pinch, you may even consider using letters or numbers with a marker.

Proper padding is paramount

If you happen to be moving anything that could conceivably be fragile, whether it’s plates, china, vases, etc. (and chances are, you will be), you’ll need to lock down some easy solutions for keeping these items properly padded, in order to prevent them from procuring possible damage along the way. Old shirts, spare bubble wrap, pillows, and any other household solution you can come up with are all viable ways to keep your fragile wares in working order as they make their way across state lines.

Free is always better

If you can, getting spare boxes from local retail outlets or similar locations can be an incredibly effective way to save money that you would have otherwise had to have spent on moving supplies.

The Towel Trick

Old fashioned movers will likely share this one with you at one point or another, but it’s worth mentioning anyway. By placing a towel (or similar cloth) underneath large furniture or appliances when you move it, you can avoid scratching or otherwise damaging the floor below from their sharp edges.

Black bag it

While far from the most glamorous solution for transporting your clothes, utilizing conventional black trash bags (or the similar) can be a great go-to when moving large quantities of clothes while your dresser drawers are packed away—doubly so if you can bag them on their existing hangers. Additionally, if you feel like being a bit more lucrative with your spending than usual, there are higher quality, moving specific vacuum sealing bags that you can use during your transition. They’ll generally run you a bit more than your standard garbage bag, but more fragile or valuable items will benefit more from the sturdier construction of vacuum seal bags.

Declutter as much as possible

One of the golden rules of moving out is that, if there is anything that you can possible do away with along the way, definitely do away with it. Throwing out old junk, donating goods you don’t truly make use of, selling old things online—the solutions are endless, and the less you end up taking with you, the better you’ll most likely feel.

Create a moving notebook and stick to it

If you create your own notebook or folder to keep track of everything (and make sure to keep it updated along the way), a lot of things that you would otherwise forget will be locked down without worry.

Keep records of your electronics

It can often prove to be beneficial to keep track of any electronics or similar appliances along the way. In addition to the propensity for losing or mixing up cords and accessories, it can also be important to keep track of the devices themselves. Most of your electronic devices will likely have a unique serial number that will be a good idea for you to jot down in the event that they become damaged or faulty along the way during the move.

In addition, it can be extremely helpful to keep records of the way certain electronics are installed—TVs, modems, routers, stereo systems, etc. all tend to have very specific wiring setups that you most likely won’t remember once you move them into your new abode. A solution as simple as taking a photo of the back of your TV before dismantling it can make the difference between a smooth move and a confusing afternoon.

Consider a Lock Box

Don’t underestimate the importance of keeping track of your important documents, paperwork, irreplaceable contracts, licenses, etc. If you want to truly be responsible and stay on the safe side during your transition, investing in an affordable lock box, miniature safe, or similar to store documents and miscellaneous valuables in can save you a range of potential headaches along the way. Lock boxes that are fireproof, waterproof, and more are commonplace nowadays and will most likely not run you too much money. Plus, they’ll be good for future moves as well, potentially lasting you a lifetime.