Although moving can be one of life’s most stressful events, it can also bring a lot of excitement. Whether you are moving down the street, to a new neighbourhood, or across the country; moving can bring a lot of big life changes.
With all of the changes that come with moving, staying organized and sticking to a budget, it can easily become difficult to handle. To help you keep on track we’ve taken a page from our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® counterparts to come up with some moving hacks to help you throughout your move and make your experience more manageable.
Moving Hacks
Fragile items
As you pack all of your fragile items, aim to layer the box with soft items such as blankets, towels and pillows for padding. If you’re running low on those items, pieces of clothing will suffice; like socks or sweaters. If an item is extremely fragile such as a tv or a mirror, take the time and tape towels or blankets to the item, to keep them safe and secure.
Prevent Leaks and Spills
Prevent leakage from liquid items that you’re moving by covering the openings with cling wrap and then taping securely around the item. We highly recommend this, as we’ve found some people transporting cleaning supplies with open containers, only to find a mess at the end of their moving day.
Have a variety of boxes
Once you’ve decided to move and you look around at all of the items you’re taking, you’ll soon realize that almost everything you own will be a different size compared to another. Plan ahead and purchase some boxes that you know will fit every item in your home.
If you’re in need of boxes, every TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® location has a wide variety of boxes for your moving needs.
How to pack your clothing
Don’t worry about taking your clothes off of hangers and putting them into boxes. Instead, simply take a trash bag and wrap your clothes around the hanger; just like a dry cleaner. Then, simply pile all of your clothes in your vehicle and move to your new home. It’s an easy and cheap way to move your items.
Although bags can be a simple and easy option for shorter moves, it may be worthwhile to invest in a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® wardrobe box if you have a longer move, as they can provide more protection.
Labeling boxes
As you move, there is a good chance that you will have your boxes stacked on top of one another. Rather than labelling the location of each of the boxes on the top, write their location on both sides, so that it’s easily viewable. Another hack that you can use when you label boxes, is to use coloured tape, to colour code the boxes. It’ll allow you to easily distinguish where something should go.
Make extra cash
How can I make money during my move, you ask? As you go through all of your items, you will undoubtedly find items that you never use or wear anymore. Make a little money on the side and make your move a little easier by organizing a garage sale or sell items that you’re getting rid of on an app or website.
Avoid slips
If you’re moving during the winter you’ll need to prepare and look at the weather beforehand as you may experience snow, sleet, dirt and ice. These conditions can be dangerous to move around in, so plan ahead and avoid slips by keeping old rags and towels on hand to wipe away snow and ice from shoes.
Another tip to keep in mind during your winter move is to keep your sidewalks and driveway clear on moving day. Doing this will allow your move to go at a much smoother pace, as well as reducing the chance of snow and ice build up on footwear.
Keep the essentials on hand
Organize a box of essential items that you know you’ll need on moving day. This can include a box cutter, paper towels, power strips, toolkit, eating utensils, toilet paper, and cookware. It’s also important to pack both an overnight bag that contains items like toothbrushes and other toiletries; as well as a box for essential documents or items that you may need to move in, like your keys and leasing documents.
Hire professional help
Hiring a moving company, like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® can help take the stress out of your move. Our teams are all professionally trained and are able to handle any move, whether it’s within your own home or a long distance move across the country. Contact us to begin planning your move today.
If you have any hacks that you’d like to share, simply write to us in the comments below, or share with us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.