By Kendry Lee
Tuck a few clothes, toiletries and other essentials into your suitcase. This includes a change of clothing, toothbrush, important documents and medications.
Do a closet purge and get rid of stuff that doesn’t belong in your new home. This will cut down on packing and unpacking time, and save you money.
Start Early
Ideally, you should start packing weeks before your move. This allows you to pace yourself and avoid rushing at the end when everything must be done in one day. Begin by packing items you don’t use often, such as off-season clothing and books.
Next, pack decorative items and knick-knacks. Be sure to protect fragile items by securing them in layers of newspaper and wrapping with bubble wrap. For smaller items, like jewelry, thread thin necklaces through drinking straws or toilet paper rolls to keep them from tangling.
Pack a “moving essentials” bag that includes items you will need during and right after the move, such as important documents, medications, chargers, and a few changes of clothes. Make sure to have this packed before Essex County movers arrive, as they will be unable to seal or stack boxes with items left out.
Pack Non-Essentials First
Before you start packing anything, make sure to clear out rooms that you will not need in your home during the move. This will minimize the disruption to your day to day living and save you from having to repack items that have been mistakenly placed in the wrong room.
Donate, sell or trash any items that you no longer want or need. This will help declutter your home before the move and prevent items from being damaged by movers.
Once you have cleared out the rooms that will not be packed up until after your move, start by packing any non essential items like books, home decor items, and electronics. Remember to pack any valuables (like jewelry and money) into a secure bag that will not be touched by movers.
Keep Same Room Boxes Together
If possible, try to keep all boxes belonging to the same room together so you can better track them throughout the packing process. It’ll also make unpacking easier once you get to your new home.
Before you start packing, clean everything you can, especially items that will be packed in boxes. This will ensure that you’re not bringing dust or dirt with you to your new home.
When it comes to delicate items, be creative and find ways to protect them. You can thread thin necklaces through straws, use buttons to secure earring bundles, and wrap glass and fragile items in towels and linens. Blankets and towels can also be used to pack large framed paintings and mirrors. Be sure to include plenty of bubble wrap to protect the items inside.
Pack the Kitchen Last
The kitchen is the most difficult room to pack, and requires a lot of special care. This is because of the bulky nature of cooking equipment and dishes, along with fragile items like glassware.
Before you start packing, do a second purge and get rid of things that you don’t need to take with you. This is also a good time to create a high-value inventory (on paper or in a virtual survey) of any items that are especially valuable and could be lost or damaged during the move.
Lastly, make sure to have all the supplies you need including moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap and newspaper, a dolly or hand truck and a few reusable grocery bags for trash. Having the right tools can help you save time and reduce the risk of injury during your move.
Label Your Boxes
When it comes to packing for your move, labeling your boxes is an essential step. You can use different colors of markers or tape to mark which room the box belongs in. It’s also important to clearly write the contents of the box on both sides.
Consider adding a “fragile” label to any boxes that contain fragile items. This will ensure that movers take extra care to protect your delicate items during transit.
You can even use t-shirts and other soft materials, like linens and towels to wrap smaller, breakable items for added cushioning. Lastly, make sure you have a day-of box ready to pack any essentials that you’ll need on moving day, such as toilet paper, snacks, and a change of clothes. It will save you from having to search through a bunch of packed boxes when you need these things!
