Packing can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve been in your home for a long time. Putting your belongings into boxes is both an emotionally taxing and physically difficult task. With the right tools, though, you can make it easier. At MOVING HUB, we’re committed to making your moving experience as stress-free as possible - and that commitment begins before you even pack your first box.
Check out our tips, then get those boxes packed!
GET ORGANIZED AND START PACKING EARLY
The best way to make sure you have gotten everything is to open up all of the doors and crack open all of the drawers. Once you have packed up all the items in that area, make sure you close it to signal that it has been completely packed.
Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
Use wardrobe boxes to make closets easier to pack (you can leave your clothes on their hangers!). Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.
You can never use enough packing paper to ensure items stay protected.
Always stack dishes upwards when packing, and avoid breakage by using custom-designed boxes. It’s also a good idea to avoid wrapping china in newsprint; the ink can stain your dishes.
Save time for the kitchen. It takes the longest to pack up because you have to make sure everything is individually wrapped.
PREP YOUR BELONGINGS FOR A SMOOTH MOVE-IN
Try to pack all electronic equipment, like TVs and stereos, in their original boxes. Otherwise use bubble wrap to protect these items.
Place any items you wish to take with you off to the side and inform all crew members to not pack them. These items could include things such as cable boxes, medication, or any other personal items you may want to be readily accessible once you are in your new home.
Pack important and sentimental documents separately to be easily accessible—children’s health records, passports, family records, insurance information, and photo albums.
Make sure you label your boxes for where you want them to go and not where they came from. For example, if something came from your basement, but you want it to go in the playroom, make sure you label "playroom" on the box so it ends up in the correct space from the get-go.
Don’t pack with used boxes or boxes from the supermarket. You never know what little critter is hiding or if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
Most animal kennels break down. They’re much easier to transport if they’ve been taken apart.
Always pack and unpack breakables over a padded surface.
Never tip stand mixers on their side when packing into boxes. The lubricating oil inside the mixer will pour out of it.
Use only small boxes for books. They get very heavy, very fast.
LAST MINUTE PACKING
Ask your movers to load anything you might need right away in your new home toward the end of the truck, so that it is the first thing unloaded.
Place items that you are taking with (cable boxes, medication, or any other personal items) you off to the side, and inform all crew members not to pack them.
As you take apart furniture and other items, make sure to tape all parts to the main base.
Have a wardrobe box available the morning of the move. The last things you’ll pack will be the bed linens, comforters, and pillows you sleep with. Put these items in the wardrobe box, so they’ll be easy to find when you’re ready to collapse after a day of moving.
Checklist for your move
MOVING CHECKLIST
Get prepared for your next move with our handy moving checklist! Using a simple timeline, this moving to-do list will help you focus on specific areas of your moving and packing tasks to keep you on track and ensure you’re ready come move day. Best of all, it’s broken down into easy-to-follow sections so you can tackle the pre-move process piece by piece as you work your way through the entire checklist.
YOUR MOVING TO-DO LIST
A MONTH BEFORE THE MOVE
Reserve a moving company for your move as soon as you know you are moving. If you need packing assistance, MOVING HUB can also pack up your house, apartment, or condo for you.
Start to clean out closets, the garage, and attic.
Host a garage sale or donate your unwanted things to charity.
Arrange to transfer school records.
Get change of address cards from your local post office.
Notify magazines, charge accounts, insurance companies, clubs, and all other organizations of your change of address.
ONE TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE
Make a "survival closet" of things you will need for the final clean-up and include snacks for the last day.
If you decide to pack yourself, label all moving boxes as you pack. Write the destination room on the top and sides of each moving box to ensure it gets to the right place in your new home. If you’re pressed for time, or overwhelmed with packing, MOVING HUB offers full-service packing.
Schedule disconnects for utilities such as gas, electric, water and the telephone. If you have a landline, do not disconnect it until after your move. Arrange for refunds that are due, and schedule connections for your new residence.
Cancel newspapers, Internet, cable TV, security, pest control, cleaning help, lawn maintenance, and any other services you receive.
THE WEEK OF THE MOVE
Mail in your change of address forms.
Clean the stove and finish up any last minute cleaning before move day.
Finish up packing and be sure all items are boxed and ready to go prior to the movers’ arrival.
Think about where your kids and pets will be during the time of the move, and if necessary, plan for them to go to a relative or friend’s house during that time.
Ensure you have transportation to your new home for yourself, family, and pets.
THE DAY BEFORE THE MOVE
Read through the official MOVING HUB pre-move email to ensure you’re up-to-date on everything that will take place when the movers arrive.
Ensure all breakables have been removed from dresser drawers and packed away properly.
Gather firearms or ammunition to be moved yourself, as these items cannot be transported by MOVING HUB.
Clean the refrigerator, then defrost and dry.
Get enough cash to tide you over. Cash comes in handy if you need to order pizza during your move, or dinner in your new place!
Say goodbye to your neighbors!
DAY OF THE MOVE
Create a safe path for the movers to navigate by clearing your driveway of objects, snow, or ice.
Pack your suitcase and day of the move box with all necessary essentials to get you through the next few days in case you don’t get to unpacking right away.
Be sure you’re present when the movers arrive so you can walk them through the home and indicate what you need moved or anything in particular they should be aware of.
Once all belongings are loaded onto the moving truck, be sure to do one more walkthrough and lock all windows and outside doors, in addition to checking all lights and your thermostat are off before heading to your new home.
