Ten Tips for a Stress-Free Move
It’s that time again, you’ve found a new home (the hardest part!) you’re ready to move, but your stuff is staring you in the face (cue “Jaws” theme). We’ve all been there! Packing your belongings can be a daunting task; luckily over the years I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks that can make moving A LOT less painful! When I moved out of my home in Los Angeles last month, I decided to put them to the test… and let me tell you, this was BY FAR my easiest move…ever! Below are my top 10 tips for a stress-free move. Try them and let me know what you think :)
Happy moving!
Xo J
1. Purge
Use this opportunity to purge your house (and closets!) of items you no longer need or use. Getting to your new home and getting organized will be so much easier with less stuff. Donate gently used items to charity. Often charities will even come to your home to pick up the items – just make sure you call a few weeks in advance to schedule a pick up.
2. Don’t Procrastinate
This tip is arguably the most important; do not, I repeat, DO NOT procrastinate. Easier said than done, right? The best way to tackle this seemingly never-ending task is to start small. At least four weeks prior to your move, make a commitment to pack at least 3 boxes a day. Start by packing the items that are least essential to your daily life. If you pace yourself, the job will seem less overwhelming and you’ll be more organized. Trust me, I’ve been the one haphazardly throwing things in boxes at 3am the day of the move, it doesn’t end well.
3. Pack Room-by-Room
Focus on one room at a time and don’t mix items from different rooms in one box. To prevent knickknacks and small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out, place them in reusable bags and then protect with Scotch™ Cushion Wrap.
4. Label
Label clearly. On the side of each box, place a Post It Note and write a general description of the contents. Use different colored Post it notes for each of the main rooms (yellow for kitchen, green for living room, etc). This will make it easy to identify what goes where when the chaos strikes on the day of. I like using the Post-it® Extreme Notes because they have Dura-Hold™ Paper and Adhesive so they help to provide grip to the cardboard. And best of all, they’re water resistant – in case any accidents happen!
5. Pack Safe
There’s nothing worse than opening a box and finding the contents have broken. Make sure you wrap breakable items appropriately using the Scotch™ Cushion Wrap. For smaller fragile items, protect with cushion wrap and then bundle using Scotch™ Stretch Wrap. The less items are moving about within the box, the less likely they are to break. For non-breakable items that need to be protected – use white packing paper. Skip the newspaper, it can bleed ink onto your possessions.
6. Stick with Moving Boxes
Make sure you use boxes that are designed for moving. Previously used boxes from a grocery store aren’t always clean and more often than not, they won’t hold the weight of the items.
7. Don’t Pack Everything
Personal items, family heirlooms, important papers or legal documents should be handled with care. You never want to misplace these items so set them aside till the day before and then pack in your suitcase or travel bag.
8. Pack Smart
Packing your belongings is similar to packing your groceries, it’s an art. You don’t want to crush your light items so make sure to place heavy stuff on the bottom and light items on top.
9. Set a Limit
While it might seem like a good idea, the goal isn’t to shove in as much as you can. Each box should weigh no more than 50 lbs. The last thing you want to do on moving day is hurt yourself. Any overtly heavy items should be packed alone and in small boxes to limit the weight. When sealing heavy boxes, always use Scotch® Tough Grip Moving Packaging Tape - it’s designed with a tough grip for heavy jobs and secures up to 80 lbs.
10. Invest in the Right Tools.
Last but not least, be sure to use the right tool for the job. Not all packing supplies are created equal. If you’re sending boxes to a storage facility, or you know they will sit packed for an extended period of time, always use The Scotch® Storage Packaging Tape to seal these items. Scotch® Storage Packaging Tape can withstand sub-zero temperatures and up to 49°C. It’s perfect for protecting labels, sealing edges and long-term storage. If you’re sending your items a fair distance, use the Scotch® Heavy Duty Shipping Packaging Tape – it’s stronger than acrylic tapes and perfect for rough handling.
Janette’s Packing Must Haves:
· Scotch™ Cushion Wrap
· White packing paper
· Scotch® Tough Grip Moving Packaging Tape
· Proper moving boxes
· Post-it® Extreme Notes
· Scotch™ Stretch Wrap
· Scotch® Heavy Duty Shipping Packaging Tape
· Scotch® Storage Packaging Tape