DIY Moving and Packing Life Hacks

Most people feel overwhelmed when packing up all their belongings and moving to a new home. We will help you change this. Let’s explore some DIY moving and packing hacks to make your life more effortless. These hacks cover color coding, smart packing tips, and more!

Packing Hacks

Drawers

For unknown reasons, people often empty their drawers and initiate the moving process. However, instead of just emptying them you can use them as a box. Pack the drawers with clothes and other cloth material stuff (items that won’t break), pack them densely and put tape or plastic wrap over the drawer.

Blankets

Dishes must be the most common item to break when moving. Imagine, you had a long moving day, exhausted and finding your plates shattered into pieces when unpacking. To avoid such a scenario, we suggest using blankets to wrap your dishes or putting small towels between plates to avoid breaks during the moving process. Pack them vertically, which has fewer chances to break them.

Wires and cables

It may sound a bit odd, but toilet paper tubes are very handy to sort and organize wires and cables. The tube prevents your cables from getting tangled, plus you can label them with a permanent marker.

Clothes

Pack your clothes while they are on the hangers. It saves a lot of time, and if you put them in plastic bags, suitcases, or backpacks, you can save money on boxes. Labeling is a key point here too. Mark containers or bags with the type of clothing inside.

Color code

Color code everything and make your move smoother. You can strategize your move by sorting your stuff by room, type, or name. By doing so, you will know what goes where quickly, and you won’t have to search for the marker every time you seal up a box.

Loading Stuff

Truck

If you are moving without a professional mover, it is important to get a truck with a ramp. This way, you won’t have to do the heavy lifting by yourself. Even if it is more expensive than just a truck, you will thank this decision later. Price is worth the outcome.

Boxing

Get boxes in the right size. Assess your belongings and buy boxes accordingly. No need to waste money on something that won’t be useful. If you have big boxes, we suggest you cut handle-like holes on the sides. Lifting a heavy box is already hard enough, do yourself a favor and cut the handle to make lifting and carrying bearable.

Loading

Always pay attention to the size and weight of the item when loading. Load heavy and large stuff first. Beds, sofas, shelves, and chairs always go first. Do not put heavy items over small and light ones so as not to damage other smaller items. Furniture and appliances are always at the bottom. Put boxes with glasses and dishes tightly without any space to move around and load the lightest and smallest belongings last to distribute the weight evenly. It will prevent any accidents during the loading and unloading.

Electronics

TV, PC, AC, and other fragile stuff should be loaded first with care and strap them into the walls if possible. Putting them into special wooden boxes (crates) is strongly advised.

Roll Rugs

If you have any rugs or carpets, roll them and wrap them up with a plastic wrap. Remember to place the upright to save space. Ensure your rugs are loaded last and unloaded first before placing furniture over them in your new home so you can put them on the floor first.

Use Moving Straps

Moving straps are a must-have item when moving by truck. Straps prevent your belongings from shifting and moving around the truck while damaging the items. Also, professionals recommend strapping by layer or section. For example, after you loaded heavy stuff, strap them and keep on this process until you are done.

Gather Friends for Help

Packing, loading, and offloading is a harsh task you cannot do alone, so you will need all the help you can get. If you are planning to move, look for help from family and friends. This way, you will save money and get the job done. As a bonus, throw a small meal party after everything is clear, and you will have a great reunion with your close ones.

After Moving

Finally, you are at your new place. Now you have a lot more things to do to settle in. Just like packing and loading, offloading and unpacking also require planning and patience. Organize your fridge and pantry first after moving into a new house. It will make it easier to find what you need when you need it.

Unpack Only the Essentials

It will most likely include your necessities bag and box, which will contain your daily bathing goods, kitchen items, clothing for sleeping and the next day, and so on.

Unpack Kitchen First

Getting the kitchen done first will give you a fantastic sense of success and allow you to focus on the areas that are easier to unpack.

Do One Thing at a Time

Don’t put extra pressure on yourself to unpack every single box straight away. Complete the key tasks. Concentrate on accomplishing what you can as soon as you can. Take a break between unpacking sessions and do something entertaining. Everything will be completed eventually.

DIY or Moving Company?

The mere thought of all the duties required in the moving may lead you to feel overwhelmed and panicked. Yes, a lot will need to be done, but start by deciding whether you will hire a moving company or rent a vehicle. Do you consider moving services or that you can pull off a do-it-yourself move? If you need movers, go through the TopHelpers website and discover the best moving companies and affordable movers. Moving services have all the necessary equipment and supplies to make your move quickly and efficiently. Our goal at Top Helpers is to help you find convenient, stress-free moving helpers.