By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
With more than 40 years in the moving
business, we've talked to many, many people who are moving, and we have compiled
their favorite hacks to make moving less overwhelming. We understand that each
move presents its own set of challenges and difficulties, but we've come up
with a list of accessories, tools and techniques that have made the process
less overwhelming.
As well as utilizing the suggested
items below, we have discovered that adhering to a
simple strategy is effective no matter where you are heading
or what you are moving. To begin with, sell or
give away anything that is an inconvenience (or exceedingly
pricey) to move, including home furnishings or
sizeable appliances. Everything you keep, pack
with care-it requires time to seek out dependable and
purposeful items. Moving is costly and also strenuous,
and we have all used whatever free or
inexpensive supplies work great for moving replaceable
items, but safeguards for the belongings that
matter warrants shelling out some money. And if
it's within your budget to do so, employing professional movers
is nearly always worth the expense: Your back
(and your buddies) are going to thank you.
Have plenty
of permanent markers on hand
You need to label each box, container, or bag
so you recognize what is what throughout a move, and the most effective way to
accomplish that is to have ample permanent markers readily available. They are
affordable markers, so do not be hesitant to go crazy. Have a minimum of one
for each person in addition to one per room. This way nobody is inclined to
“label it later” or to tag not enough of the boxes’ sides to save ink, and you
are more prone to have large, readable labels which say “hand towels, bathtub
stuff, toiletries”-or at a minimum “bathroom”-instead of a pile of mystery
cartons to decipher when you get to your new house.
Seal boxes
faster with a tape gun
Look for a great tape gun for more efficient,
heavy-duty packing and moving.
And
speaking of tape.....don't get the cheap stuff
Get quality packing tape. Here's what one
customer reported after buying inexpensive tape, "It was a total freaking
nightmare. The tape was flimsy and would constantly tear down the center, so I
spent more time trying to find the leading edge of the tape than I did
packing."
Start
saving your egg cartons now
Pack jewelry into empty egg cartons, so it
doesn't get tangled. Just tape it shut after you're done and try to keep it
upright during the move.
Color code
your boxes
Use colored duct tape to keep your boxes
organized. Designate a different color for each room and be sure to create a
key that you can hang up at your destination so that the movers know which room
the box belongs to!
Use your
smartphone
Snap a picture of the back of your TV and
other electronic devices. That way, you know exactly which wires go where when
you're setting up in the new place!
Give
liquids a wrap
To prevent spills mid-move, uncap all
household liquids - everything from toiletries to cleaning supplies - then
cover the top with clear plastic wrap, and tightly reseal the cap. And, be sure
to talk to your movers about what liquids can go on the moving van and which
ones you need to transport yourself.
Corral
cords with toilet paper rolls
One way to cut down on the jumbled mess of
extension cords is to wind each cord up in a 6-inch coil and insert each into
its own toilet paper roll. You’ll have lots more room in the box, and no
tangled mess to unpack later. Just remember to clearly label the box!
Think ahead
Put essential appliances (like your coffee
maker) in a laundry basket so you can put them on your counter right away in
your new place.
Unpack with
a box cutter and gloves
Packing is merely fifty percent of the
task-at the other end of the road, you will be unpacking everything. A quality
box cutter, also known as utility knife, makes opening and breaking down many
boxes much faster and simpler. And a pair of light work gloves is going to
preserve your hands from the chafing, drying effects of touching all that
cardboard; gloves made from breathable material, with grippy, rubbery fingers
and palms, is perfect.
And when it's all over.... take a deep breath
and allow yourself some "me time". Watch a movie, order some pizza,
or do whatever you need to relax after a long day of hard work. You deserve it!!
Ready to find out how a professional mover
can help make moving less overwhelming?
Call A-1 Freeman Moving Group today!!
Request a free quote
