16 Genius Moving Tips You Ought to Try
I know what I have titled this post and I need to just get this one out, if you can, paying movers to move your stuff is a lot less stressful than doing it yourself. However, having participated in many moves over the years without movers, I’ve been able to pick up quite a few moving tips that are just plain genius. They make the packing more efficient and slightly less stressful.
- Saran wrap bottles
Prevent shampoo explosions, or in this case a peppercorn bomb by placing a piece of plastic wrap over the opening then screwing the lid back on. - Wrap glass items in towels or dish cloths
Not only do you not have to throw away a bunch of paper afterwards or hoard the plastic grocery bags but you get double duty from packing both items at the same time. - Pack books in rolling suitcases
Protect your (Harry Potter) books and move them easily with the convenience wheels and built in, sturdy handles.
- Use pillow and blankets as padding
Couch cushions will work too when you need a buffer between large items in the moving truck or in individual boxes. Just make sure they are protected with a plastic bag. - Take a photo of the back of the TV
With the photo, you’ll be able to remember where all of the cords go instead of playing “Can You See it Now?” - Double sheet your mattress
This is when your multiple sets of sheets finally come in handy. If you don’t buy a plastic mattress protector, use a fitted sheet on each side of your mattress to help keep it clean during the move. - Have a tape gun
With all of those boxes needing to be taped up, get a tape gun to quickly secure each box. It also works well to secure hoses and cords to appliances. - Saran wrap silverware organizer
Or utensil, flatware organizer, whatever you kids call it these day. Keep it dust free and easy to unpack with saran wrap.
- Fill the pots with spices and baking ingredients
Contain the mess that is the spice cabinet and make sure they make it back to the kitchen by putting them in your pots or crock pot. - Place paper plates between dinnerware
Keep plates from moving and shaking by placing the cheap foam plates between each one. - Place box labels over edges
If you color coordinate your moving labels, place them over the edges so they fall on two sides so you can identify the box better. - Immobilize hung up clothing with trash bags
Bag up your clothes and tie it shut leaving only the hooks exposed to easily hand it back up at your new place.
- Move miscellaneous items to one room
At the end of packing you’re left with the random stuff and it’s easier to figure out how many more boxes you need when all of the stuff is in one location. - Twist to lock pumps
Do you remember when you first bought the soap and you had to twist it open? Well you can use that same function to twist it closed and prevent a soapy puddle mess.
- Have a designated junk box
The miscellaneous items I mentioned, throw the in the same box, it’s okay. For sanity’s sake, being able to throw items that don’t have a home into the random box will speed up the process as you don’t worry about trying to find them a proper home. - Have cold bottled water
Last but certainly not least, keep bottles of cold water nearby to stay hydrated and give yourself necessary breaks.
In the moves that I have been apart of, the people who have use at least some of these moving and packing tips had a much easier and less stressful time moving. And let’s face it, it’s nice when you unpack to find no soapy explosions, clean clothes, and no pepper bombs.
Happy Moving and Packing!
What are some of your favorite moving tips and tricks?
Angela
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These are all great ideas! I have moved several times and these would have helped me. To add one, give the movers a floor plan of your new house and mark each room with a name so they know where to put each box. Mark each box with a corresponding name.
Thanks Irene! I love your tip, I’ve actually done it a couple of times and it has helped immensely when unloading the truck.
Another moving tip which may be close to OCD… Measure your furniture bookshelves, etc. before you move. Then use chalk or painters tape to trace outlines of where you want your furniture set down by your movers. They thought I was a genius when I did that for them. It was worth the prep time for this former military wife! And they could read the tape ahead of time, communicate & it went by very quickly!
these tips are amazing! I have moved so many times and thee would have been beneficial. in addition: one tip that helped me was after 6 years in a 3 story suburban house i had so much junk in my garage, guest room, office etc! I called a junk removal company and they donated stuff I didn’t want or could not take to my new city apartment.
If I’m moving myself, I leave the clothes in the dresser drawers and just saran wrap each drawer. That way, I don’t have to mess with extra boxes. If I’m feeling extra ambitious, I’ll place them back in the dresser once in the truck and saran wrap them in.
Also, box cutters or pocket knives come in handy for us Saran Wrap Queens!
Very informative post about genius moving tips. Keep it up.
Excellent post,its really great moving tips. I must use use in future.Thanks for posting these tips.
Saran wrapping things like drawers with your clothes in them so there’s no packing or unpacking clothes or whatever else you have in the drawers, plus if you wrap them right it can help protect the drawers while moving and it saves you a box. Saran wrapping cords then there’s no dealing with sticky tape or residue later, if a piece of furniture doesn’t have too many drawers/isn’t too heavy then saran wrapping the drawers in so they don’t come out while moving and saran wrapping things like the crock pot or other items that have multiple pieces so everything stays together and doesn’t shift or break, you can use saran wrap on SOO many things it’s almost unbelievable how much it helps. I never thought about using saran wrap for so many things until helping my uncle move and seeing that’s how him and my aunt packed and then, a few years later, when I worked at Uhaul I saw they sell saran wrap in different sizes, on different types of rollers that help make wrapping everything soo much easier and it really makes moving and packing/unpacking so much easier and faster! Also, another thing I learned working at Uhaul, before buying boxes (or going on the hunt for free ones) you can just call around or stop by different Uhaul locations and see if they have any free boxes, just like gas stations have a little spot for people to put pennies in case someone is short, Uhaul has the same type of thing with boxes and a lot of the time people would put nice (pricey) boxes they bought from Uhaul in there and you can get it free now instead of having to buy them and if you want when you’re done moving and unpacking you can just bring the boxes back to pay it forward for the next person! 🙂
Try packing fragile items in washcloths and hand towels. This serves double duty and gets more packed in the boxes. Use bath towels to pack serving dishes and all those larger odds & ends. I have moved cross country several times and have never had breakage. I also use my fabric stash to pack dishes and glasses.
Very well written and explained post. Enjoyed reading it thanks for sharing.
Moving is really stressful work. Moving Ideas I needed to do the moving work and I got it from your blog. Really I am reading your blog and reduce the work load. Great tips you share on this blog. Thanks!
Great article. It’s very informative topic. Thanks!