Anyone who has moved apartments knows what a painful process it can be. Packing up all of your life into little boxes can seem pretty impossible at the beginning. However, packing doesn’t have to be so horrible! We’ve got a few essential packing tips that will alleviate some of the stress of moving your whole life to a different place.
- Pack the essentials first. Nothing is worse when you get to your new place and realizing you have no idea where the toilet paper or paper towels are. Avoid this dilemma by packing essential items like paper items, hand soap, and even cleaning supplies into a clear plastic bin that is easily visible. Also, don’t forget to pack an overnight bag with a change of clothes and toiletries, especially if you’re moving across country!
- Buy/borrow packing supplies before you start. If you start packing without the necessary supplies, you waste time stopping to go out and buy the right supplies. Avoid this by making sure you’ve purchased the estimated amount of boxes, tape, and other packing supplies before you start anything else.
- Use items already at your disposal to pack fragile items. You’re likely packing breakable things like dishes and glassware for your move. However, there’s no need to go out and buy a whole roll of bubble wrap just yet. Use soft items like linens, dishcloths, and towels to wrap fragile items first. Small clothing items like socks and scarves are also great for wrapping stemware and trinkets. Plus, now your linens are packed and you saved money!
- If you’re able, pre-clean the kitchen and bathroom. You never know how long it’s been since the last tenant moved out, so just take the precautionary step if you can. Obviously this doesn’t work if you are moving hundreds of miles away. But if you are close to your new home, go over and clean the surfaces of your kitchen and bathroom. You’ll feel better if you did!
- Strategize packing the moving truck. Pre-planning how you will pack and unpack the moving truck will go a long way to saving time and keeping your belongings safer. Make sure all your boxes are labeled with their contents and the rooms they belong in once you get there. The heaviest items should go on the bottom, then load up toward the ceiling of the truck. Also, packing your items tight like a game of Tetris will keep them from shifting during the transit.
What are your favorite packing tips? Share yours with us on Facebook and Twitter! Check out our moving checklist and ApartmentSearch blog for more information about moving apartments.
