Moving Hacks for Faster, Easier, Less Stressful Moves

Moving is a part of life. And whether you move often or are packing up your bags for the first time in a long time, it’s a notoriously stressful process that can take its toll on even the best of planners. Fortunately, while moving isn’t necessarily easy on anyone, there are some ways to pack and unpack faster, reduce the amount of work, and ultimately make the process go just a bit smoother.

Sound too good to be true? Try our top packing and moving hacks for yourself and discover creative ways to improve your move.

How to move: getting prepared

The best way to pack for moving is to start earlier, rather than later. So before we get to packing tips and tricks, here are some moving hacks that will help you start on the right foot.

Getting rid of stuff

We can’t overstate just how much easier your move will be if you organize your belongings and toss, recycle or donate what you don’t need instead of lugging it with you to your new home. It’s an undertaking, but these tips can help you do it.

Saving money on your move

In addition to being a lot of work, moves can also cost you a lot of money. Follow these moving budget hacks to keep your costs down.

How to pack for a move

https://www.themoveme.com Packing to move might be the most time-consuming part of the whole process. Our best packing tips for moving are all about saving yourself time while still making sure that your belongings are safe. With that in mind, here are the packing hacks for moving you need to know for a smoother move.

Moving-day moving hacks

Moving day itself is super tiring — and it can be super stressful, too. These moving hacks will help you get through it.

Last-minute moving hacks

Having lots of time to plan, prep, and execute your move is great; however, it doesn’t always work out that way. Follow these moving and packing tips if you’re in a hurry.

Unpacking tips

You’ve finally arrived, but there’s still more to be done. Here’s how to stop procrastinating and speed up the unpacking process.

Unpacking hacks

1. Set your budget

   Moving can get expensive, and you don’t want to end up with major sticker shock on top of everything else. Please take advantage of our online moving cost calculator and figure out how much you can expect to spend.

2. Plan out your packing supplies

   Use our packing calculator to get a good idea of just how much you’ll need in terms of packing supplies. This way, you can be sure to get what you need on the first run to the store.

3. Eat up

   The movers won’t move any perishable food items. Make it a goal to eat as much of the food you already have in your house as you can before moving day. Turn it into a game and get creative with recipes to see how much you can use up. Do good at the same time by donating unopened/unexpired food to a local food bank. If you’re using a Move for Hunger relocation company partner, then your movers can pick up the unwanted food items and deliver them to the local food bank for you. The non-profit works with hundreds of relocation companies, so you should have no problem finding a mover to meet your needs.

4. Go through your belongings room by room

   Open the closets and the cabinets, don’t skip any drawers. Get an idea of how much you’ve got and make notes of what can go. Take inventory of what furniture isn’t worth moving.

5. Do a closet purge

   If it doesn’t fit, is out of style, and/or you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it. The same goes for your children’s closets, linen closets and bathroom shelves.

6. Get rid of items you wouldn’t buy again

   When deciding whether an item serves a purpose in your life, ask yourself whether you would go out and spend money on it if you didn’t already have it. If you wouldn’t, you likely don’t need it.

7. Make donation pickup arrangements

   If you know you’ll be donating big items like furniture movers in Dubai and rugs, schedule a pickup ahead of time so you can be sure you have an organization pick them up. Check out this list of charities that pick up your donations so that you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to transport everything.

8. Consider short-term storage

   If there are some items that you can’t commit to getting rid of yet, but you’re not sure you need, you may want to put them in a short-term storage unit and then evaluate later.

9. Hire a junk removal company

   It can take a lot of time to clean spaces like garages, basements and attics. Let a professional junk removal company do it for you. Keep what you want, and the rest can go. They’ll dispose of the trash, clean up, and even donate items to local charities. Not only you won’t have to lug unwanted heavy items like a mattress or a couch, but you’ll be free to focus on other tasks.

10. Get quotes from at least three different movers

    This helps ensure you get the best price, and you may even find that a company is willing to reduce their estimate if it means getting your business.

11. Look at all your moving options 

    The best way to move is the way that makes sense for your needs and your budget. Price compare moving companies against renting a moving truck or using a portable moving container to hone in on your most cost-effective option.

12. Find free packing supplies 

    You can often score free packing supplies by calling up local retailers or just asking friends and family members.

13. Be flexible

    Have some leeway in terms of when you have to relocate? Save money by opting for a mid-week, mid-month move. Moving on weekends and the first or last days of the month will be pricier because of higher demand.

14. Set up a packing station

    Gather your packing supplies first. The essentials you’ll want to include are boxes, packing tape, scissors, packing paper, bubble wrap, markers, old towels and blankets, plastic bags of various sizes, including small sealable bags and garbage bags, color-coded stickers, and more.

    Set up a surface for your packing station. It could be a folding table or the guest bedroom or, if you can spare it while you pack, a dining room table. That way, you won’t waste time looking for any supplies and can use the station to tape and label boxes.

15. Pack the packing supplies last

    You’ll probably need at least some of them on moving day, like tape and markers, so keep them unpacked and at the packing station till the very end.

16. Put your linens, towels and other soft items to use

    Wrap up breakables like glasses or perfume bottles in socks for serious padding, and use linens and towels to cushion fragile, difficult-to-wrap items like lamps and vases. In the kitchen, use dish towels to securely wrap up knives and other sharp objects, securing them here with a rubber band. You’ll be amazed by how many household items you already have on hand can be used for packing.

17. Pack your suitcases

    You can get away with packing heavy things in suitcases since their wheels make them easy to move. Use suitcases to pack things that aren’t easily transported in boxes, such as books and heavy serving dishes.

18. Set up boxes as you need them

    Keep your space as clear and manageable as possible by only setting up boxes as you’re ready to fill them. Once a box is filled take it to the packing station for taping and labeling.

19. Color-code boxes

    Save time with your box labeling by picking up a sheet of different colored stickers and assigning each color a room. That way, you’ll be able to identify what needs to go where super quickly, and you won’t have to hunt for the marker every single time you seal up a box.

20. Put destination rooms on the boxes

    Another option is to put the name of the room the box is going to on every box. Yet another thing you can do is label boxes with their contents, but it might be confusing to the movers, so we recommend it only if you’re moving yourself. https://www.allieddubaimovers.com

21. Mark boxes as fragile

    It’s especially important if you’ve hired movers as they won’t know to be extra careful with some of your boxes.

22. Take pictures of box contents

    Snap a quick pic of the inside of boxes after they’re packed in case you need to jog your memory later about what’s where. While you won’t capture every item in the shot, it should help you get a general idea of what you’ll find in each box.

23. Put together a moving essentials bag 

    Pack a small duffle bag or suitcase with the personal items you’ll need access to during your move and right after you’ve arrived at your new place, such as important documents, medications, chargers, basic toiletries, a couple of changes of clothes, etc.

24. Put together a moving essentials box

    The essentials box (or the open-first box) will save your sanity on your first night in your new home. If should have everything you’ll need right after the move, like paper towels, toilet paper, water, paper plates and plastic utensils, and so on. If you’re moving with a small child, you’ll need to add diapers and extra clothes as well as favorite toys and baby food. For pets, you’ll have to have easy access to their food and food bowls, the leash, treats and chews, the bedding, a litter box, cleanup bags, and your pet’s favorite toys.

25. Keep the hardware in a plastic bag

    When you disassemble furniture, put small hardware in a sealable bag and label it. Tape it to the furniture it belongs to or keep it all in a box together.

26. Create a moving inventory list of valuable electronics

    This includes your TV, computer and other electronics. If hiring a moving company, take photos of your computer beforehand. These photos could come in handy if the computer is damaged while in transit and you need to file a claim.

27. Gather all product manuals and label the cords

    When moving valuable electronic devices like your computer, gather all product manuals and place them in a safe, secure bag. Label the cords. Use original packaging if possible.

28. Back up your computer hard drive

    Should any damage occur while in transit you can prepare by backing up your hard drive.

29. Take a picture of the back of your TV

    It can be difficult to remember where all those wires go. While your TV is still plugged in, take a picture of the back of it so you’ll remember how to set it back up later.

30. Use a moving blanket to transport a TV if you don’t have the original box

    Ideally, you should transport a TV in the box it came from, complete with the Styrofoam it was packed in. If you don’t have one, you can wrap the TV in a moving blanket. This should provide enough padding during transit. And keep it propped up, not laying down. You can keep it propped up in the moving truck by wedging it between mattresses or other soft furniture items.

31. Remove light bulbs from lamps

    They can break in transit. Use bubble wrap and box them.

32. Remove what you can from large items

    When moving large items, remove fixtures or accessories from the large items for easier transport. Some pieces of furniture have removable legs or backs. Take off cushions and pillows from your couch. You can pack them in large boxes or garbage bags. If you’re using professional movers, they might shrink-wrap some upholstered furniture.

33. Don’t empty your dresser drawers 

    Take the drawers out of the dresser, leave the items in there, and secure them by wrapping up the drawer in plastic wrap. If it’s not too heavy, you can leave the drawers in the dresser and wrap up the dresser itself in plastic wrap.

34. Leave your clothes on hangers

    Keep clothes on their hangers and either group them up and wrap them in large garbage bags or hang them in a wardrobe box.

35. Roll, don’t fold your clothes

    When packing clothes in drawers, roll them instead of folding them to save space.

36. Use large outdoor garbage bags

    They are big and sturdy enough to hold hanging clothes, towels, linens, bedding, stuffed animals and other non-breakable toys.

37. Use liquor store boxes for shoes

    Boxes used to transport bottles have dividers. You can use them to keep your shoes organized. While you’re at it, consider packing your shoes with small items to maximize space.

38. Put a fitted sheet on your mattress to keep it clean

    If you’re not using a mattress bag to move your mattress, you can put a fitted sheet over it to keep the mattress clean in transit.

39. Use pots to hold small items

    Instead of wasting additional boxes for small kitchen items like spices and gadgets, fill up your large pots and other sealable containers with them. You’ll save a ton of space.

40. Pack plates vertically

    Packing your plates vertically will ensure they’re less likely to crack or break. Don’t forget to wrap them well or to use foam pouches.

41. Put essential appliances in laundry baskets

    Put small appliances you’ll need right away (like your coffee maker and toaster) in a laundry basket so you can put them on your counter right away in your new place.

42. Stack your pots and pans

    Use a large or medium box to stack pots and pans. Put packing paper between them. Stuff paper or dish towels into openings to keep your pots and pans from moving around in transit. Wrap glass lids and put in a separate box.

43. Pack glasses and stemware into boxes with dividers

    This is the safest way to transport them. You can buy specialty dividers that fit into standard boxes or use the liquor store boxes in a pinch. Wrap each glass in packing paper and don’t stack anything on top of them.

44. Wrap your utensil tray

    The easiest way to transport flatware and serving utensils is to wrap the tray in plastic wrap and lay it flat in the box. You can add things on top.

45. Wrap knives in dish towels

    Roll each knife in a full sheet of packing paper and then wrap a dish towel around them and secure the whole thing with a rubber band. Pack knives on their side — never facing up.

46. Defrost and clean your fridge

    Don’t forget to defrost and clean your fridge a day or two before the move.

47. Prep your large appliances (if moving them)

    Unplug them, remove any hoses, and tape all doors shut. Check out our tips on how to move a stove or range, how to move a refrigerator, and how to move a dishwasher for a complete look at safely moving all of your appliances to your new home.

48. Pack liquids together

    The best way to keep liquids from damaging valuables during your move is to pack them together. To prevent leaks, secure the openings of your oils and sauces with a piece of plastic wrap. Remove the top, place the wrap, put the top back. Wrap the top from the outside with more plastic wrap or use a sealable plastic bag for extra protection. If you are using cardboard then use a garbage bag to line the box.

49. Use plastic bins to pack liquids

    We advise using plastic bins when packing liquids. Unlike with cardboard, you don’t have to worry that a spill will leak out onto other items. Plastic ensures that any spilled liquids are completely contained and the boxes can be cleaned and reused. If you don’t have any plastic moving bins but want to get some, start your search with the eight best companies for plastic moving bins.

50. Disassemble lamps

    As we’ve mentioned earlier remove all light bulbs from your lamps, then remove the harps. Wrap the bases, harps and lightbulbs separately. Put them in one box with plenty of bubble wrap or paper to fill the empty spaces in the box.

51. Wrap lamp shades separately

    For lamp shades, you can use towels, pillowcases or tissue paper for wrapping. No coarse paper or newspaper as those might damage the shades. Wrap each shade separately, especially if they are made with delicate fabrics like silk. When placing them in a box, you can stack the shades if they’re different sizes. https://servicebasketuae.com

52. Don’t use plastic wrap for table leaves

    That’s because it can trap moisture and damage your table. You can use moving paper pads if you have them or blankets. If you’re using movers, leave it to them to handle it.

53. Roll area rugs

    If you are using a moving company, they will do it for you. You can just leave your area rugs on the floor. If you’re moving yourself, clean and roll your rugs. They should be loaded in the end and unloaded in the beginning so you can put them on the floor in your new home before the furniture can be placed on top of your rugs.

54. Fold curtains and drapes

    Fold your curtains and drapes lengthwise if you’re using wardrobe boxes. If you’re using regular boxes, line them with paper or plastic bags first to ensure your drapes or curtains will arrive clean.

55. Get the right boxes for your art

    If you’re moving any statues, large vases and mirrors or valuable paintings, make sure you’re doing it right. Most large mirrors, paintings and framed wall art won’t fit into standard boxes. You can get mirror and picture boxes from places like U-Haul. Companies that sell moving supplies will also have customizable boxes which are designed for large, flat items. They’re four separate cardboard pieces that you can tape together. For valuable and irreplaceable artwork consider an artwork shipper. Those are made from heavy-duty cardboard and have a plastic lining and removable foam panels. They are pricey but will be worth it for packing valuables. If you’re using professional movers, they might offer crates and will know how to take care of your art. 

56. Pack your necessities last

    Things like toothbrushes, deodorant, hair products and anything else you use daily could go into your moving essentials bag on moving day.

57. Keep a first aid kit handy

    Injuries do happen on moving day, so leave your first aid kit easily accessible on moving day.

58. Wrap a small bit of plastic wrap around things that might spill 

    Prevent spills in transit by using plastic wrap to secure the lids of soap, shampoo, cleaning supplies and other items you don’t want poured out all over your things.

59. Pack small items in sealable plastic bags

    That way they won’t get lost in transit. If you have a lot of those in your bathroom, you might want to label the bags for easier unpacking.

60. Line the boxes with towels or garbage bags

    For toiletries, appliances and beauty products, we recommend lining the boxes with garbage or towels for extra protection from leaks or breakage.

61. Use towels to wrap fragile items

    As we’ve mentioned before, put your towels to good use by wrapping fragile items from your bathroom in them and to fill the voids in the boxes. Don’t forget to label the boxes as fragile!

62. Pack unused towels in garbage bags or heavy boxes

    You can add your towels on top of heavy boxes as they are lightweight, or put them in garbage bags.

63. Put your jewelry in egg cartons

    This one sounds odd, but it makes sense. It will prevent tangling and misplacing paired items like earrings. Just tape the cartons shut when done.

64. Be packed up the day before moving day

    Last-minute packing can slow down your entire day. Make it a goal to be completely packed before your movers arrive or it’s time to pick up the rental truck. That way, you can focus right away on accomplishing the task at hand.

65. Pack a cooler

    Stock a cooler with easy-to-grab items that can keep your strength up throughout the day, like water bottles and quick snacks. Move it with you in the car instead of the moving truck, so you can access it whenever you need to.

66. Have a plan for little kids and pets 

    If your kids are too young to help on moving day, your best bet is to have them hang out with friends or family to relieve a bit of your stress and keep them safe. The same goes for pets. If you can, arrange alternate plans for your little ones and your furry ones — you’ll all be happier.

67. Wake up early

    There will always be some last-minute things to do on moving day. To avoid unnecessary stress, wake up on an early side to give yourself enough time before the movers get to your home or it’s time to pick up the rental truck.

68. Use a moving day to-do list

    Keep a to-do list on your phone or a piece of paper for everything that needs to get done on moving day and check it off as the day goes on. Some tasks will be obvious, like loading the truck. Others you might forget about, like doing one last walkthrough to check for forgotten items or leaving the keys with your landlord.

69. Dress appropriately

    You’ll need to move with ease and minimize the risk of injuries. Wearing pants, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes and maybe even gloves will cut down on the chance of getting scratched and cut, or your foot being smashed by a heavy box. Sneakers are a betters choice for moving with ease while heavy work boots will give you extra support to avoid twisting your ankle. If you have previously injured your neck, back, knee or hip consider wearing additional protective gear like a brace.

70. Clear a path for the movers

    Before the movers arrive, clear a path for them to move your belongings and keep it clear till the end. Especially with large items, you can’t see what’s in front of you. Clear all extension cords and wires that can trip someone. If you have a wonky step on your staircase, label it and warn the movers.

71. Pack any last-minute items

    Now is a good time to finish packing your essentials bag and box with your everyday bathroom items and your first-night necessities.

72. Make sure your cell phone is charged

    Your charger should be nearby or in your essentials bag, but do fully charge your phone the night before. You’ll need it to coordinate logistics with your movers and communicate with them while in transit if necessary. And you may need to use it while you’re picking up the rental truck as well (if you need directions, for instance).

73. Be there to greet your movers and moderate the move

    Give the movers a walkthrough of your house or apartment. You can point out the fragile boxes (even if they are labeled, and they should be) and the furniture pieces that you need to have disassembled. If you have a preference for how things should be loaded, please communicate that early on. Show the movers where the bathroom is in case they need to use it during the move.

74. Keep sealable plastic bags on hand

    As the movers take apart your furniture you will want to keep all hardware like the screws organized. You can do that by using sealable plastic bags. Label them too, so you know which bag is for which piece of furniture.

75. Lift boxes properly

    If you’re participating in the loading, be sure to lift boxes correctly to avoid the risk of injury. If you’re not certain if you can make it safely down the stairs while carrying an item or if the box feels too heavy, ask for help.

76. Stock up on refreshments

    Definitely offer water for your moving crew, whether it’s the pros or your friends and relatives. Everyone will need to stay hydrated and energized during this intense workout. Consider supplying some on-the-go snacks like nuts, protein bars or sandwiches.

77. Don’t skip the final walkthrough

    We can’t stress this enough. Always go through each room for the last look. This is even more important if you are moving out of state or internationally. Open all cabinets and closets, check all outdoor spaces. What you leave behind might not be easy to retrieve because of the distance, if the new owner is moving in right away, or if your apartment has another renter lined up.

78. Take pictures of your utility meters

    This might not be obvious, but you should snap pictures of the readings on your water and gas meters. Utility companies don’t always get the final bill right, so you can check the accuracy when you get the bill and have proof in case there’s a billing mistake.

79. Take pictures of your empty apartment (if renting)

    Not all landlords are honest and transparent. Some may try to claim damages or cleaning costs and keep some or all of your security deposit. Take pictures of your space to document the state you left it in to protect yourself in case there are issues with getting your security deposit back.

80. Tip your movers

    Tips aren’t expected but are always appreciated by professional movers. If you have the budget for it and are happy with their job, give each mover a cash tip. Generally, it’s $20 per mover for a smaller move and $30-$50 per mover for more intense or long-distance moves.

81. Start with logisticsFigure out how you’re getting from point A to point B before doing anything else. You can wing a lot of things with moving, but not this.

82. Pack now and sort later

    Now is the time to pack, not think. Take care to wrap valuables, breakables and sharp items properly, but don’t put pressure on yourself to organize or label your boxes — you’ll figure it all out later when you’re not on a tight deadline.

83. Leave some tasks to the movers

    If you’re working with a moving company, you can offload some of the tasks to them, such as wrapping up furniture and getting last-minute items into boxes. Know that this may tack on some time, and thus some cash, to your final bill.

84. Unpack only the essentials

    This will likely include your essentials bag and box with your everyday bathroom things, kitchen items, clothes to sleep in and for the next day, and so on.

85. Make the kitchen the first room you unpack

    Getting the kitchen done first will give you a great sense of accomplishment right off the bat and allow you to focus on the easier-to-unpack rooms.

86. Give yourself a deadline 

    Schedule a housewarming party or a more casual get-together for a few weeks after your move. This will give you a deadline for having all of your unpacking done.

87. Give yourself no choice 

    Feeling decisive? Dump out a box worth of stuff onto your bed or in your bathtub. Now you have no choice but to clear it all out and put everything away.

88. Get rid of boxes as you empty them

    As soon as a box is emptied of all its items, break it down and recycle it. This will give you a physical marker of progress and clear up much-needed space in your new home.

89. Put on some tunes

    Music makes everything better. Skip the TV. It will just be a distraction. Put on some good tunes to entertain yourself while unpacking and provide a much-needed distraction from the monotony.

90. Do a little bit at a time

    Don’t stress yourself out trying to get every single box unpacked right away. Get the major things done. Focus on doing what you can as you can. Take a break in between unpacking sessions to do something fun. Devoting just 10 or 15 minutes at a time to unpacking is sufficient. It will all get done eventually.

91. Have a (fun) food plan

    Let’s get real here: You’re not going to cook while also settling in and unpacking. Give yourself the gift of guilt-free takeout so you can focus more on everything else that needs to get done. Try a new place you’ve always wanted to try or indulge in your favorite dishes. Make it fun.

92. Take a break from your new home

    If you can’t stand looking at all those boxes any longer, go out to eat or to meet your new neighbors. Explore the new area by taking a walk in the neighborhood. Or stay in and read a book or pop some bubbly to celebrate your successful move. You worked hard!

    Moving hacks are all about making things just a bit easier on yourself. Follow the ones above, and you’ll see that maybe your move isn’t quite as bad as you expected it to be.