Packing up a household involves more than putting your stuff inside boxes. All of those boxes need to be unpacked and put into cabinets and rooms at your new home. So, your packing process should be organized and thoughtful.
When:
Your new home is hundreds or thousands of miles away, you have to consider the distance your household items will have to travel.
When you have to fit your entire household into a moving truck, it is essential that you do some organizing and decluttering before you start packing. It is also vital that you properly pack your furniture and other fragile things with high-quality packing materials and with care.
There are several other tips to follow before your movers can load the first box into the truck, which we will go over here.
It is best to prepare for the move as soon as possible. Remember the adage about eating an elephant – you can only do it one bite at a time. The same goes for packing, so take time to get a few “bites” in each day so you are not overwhelmed when moving day arrives.
Four Weeks Before Moving Day
According to long distance movers Dallas, the first places to start are the rooms that you do not use regularly. Venture into the basement, garage, and storage spaces.
Get the Necessary Packing Materials
You will need boxes and packing supplies. You can buy new boxes from big-box stores or from shipping stores.
If you can, try to reuse boxes, especially if you can get your hands on copy paper boxes. Just be sure that the boxes you are reusing are clean and pest-free.
You will also need packing material like bubble wrap, newspaper, packing peanuts, and foam wrap. Specialty items like glass and dish inserts can protect your fragile dinnerware on the long journey to your new home. These items can be purchased at big-box stores, too.
Try to:
Reuse packing material as often as possible, since most of it will end up in the trash after one use.
Along with boxes and packing material, get a few rolls of packing tape and a dispenser. Use a black Sharpie to label what is in the boxes and where they will go in your new home. On the boxes with breakable and special items, use a red Sharpie to mark them as “Fragile.”
Packing and Purging
As you begin boxing up items, create three piles: Donate, Recycle, and Dispose.
Anything that you are not taking with you should go into one of these piles. When you are emptying these rooms, move at a moderate pace. Do not stop to reminisce, as taking time to stop and talk about special items will slow you down.
If you are having difficulty deciding whether or not to keep something, consider the last time you used it. Some people like the one-year rule, as if the item hasn’t been used it in a year then they probably won’t ever use it.
Three Weeks Before Moving Day
Before you move to the next stage, take care of last week’s piles. Drop off the items you are donating, put your disposal pile in the trash, and recycle the rest.
Emptied rooms, packed boxes, and donated items will give you a sense of accomplishment, and make it easier to continue on the journey. At the end of the week, take care of your downsizing piles.
Pack Decor
This week is all about decor and small items. As you organize and pack, remember the three piles, because you will find more things to dispose of, recycle, and donate.
Take everything off of the walls, and safely pack them in the appropriate material. You can also pack up other decorative items on tables and display shelves. Don’t forget to pack holiday decorations, too.
This portion of packing will take you longer than the previous week because many items will need to be covered in bubble wrap. Don’t forget to label the boxes.
Pack Specialty Kitchen Items
This is also a good time to start emptying your kitchen of items you won’t use in the next three weeks, like fine china, small appliances, and specialty items. Take your time when packing fragile items, especially stemware and china, as bumpy roads in moving vans can wreak havoc on them.
Two Weeks Before Moving
This is the time to pack up everything except the essentials. If you are moving during the summer months, you can pack your winter clothes. Pack up bedding and towels that you aren’t using.
If you haven’t packed up holiday decor, this week is the perfect time to do it. Should you have fragile items, you can wrap them in bedding and towels for added protection.
At this point, you should confirm with your moving company. You do not want to be surprised at the last minute. Let them know how many moving blankets you will need for furniture, televisions, and other big items that could be damaged on the road.
One Week Before Moving
With a few days left before you and your belongings hit the road, it’s time to pack up your kitchen and other items you can do without for the last week in your home. Do not overpack your boxes, especially those with dinnerware and glasses.
Organize personal documents, like tax returns and health care records. These should not go in the moving truck, as they could expose your personal financial information. Put the documents in a folder that you can carry with you.
Prepare the bags you will take with you as you travel to your new home. Keep your medications separate so you do not have to search for them later.
Moving Day
Clean out your refrigerator. Pack up the rest of your bedding and bathroom items. Cover your mattresses to protect them in transit. Today is moving day!
Moving can be stressful and chaotic; especially a long distance move. But if you follow the guidelines above and prepare in advance your long distance move can be as seamless as possible. It’s time to enjoy the process and look forward to your adventure in your new home.
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