We want to make boxing and unboxing your stuff as painless as possible. Read on to find incredibly useful packing and moving hacks that will reduce the stress and expense of relocating.
What Not to Pack in Boxes When Moving
It’s tempting to toss anything and everything into boxes when moving. But there are quite a few items that should never go in a moving box, including:
Open packages of perishable food (the box will attract pests)Valuables (jewelry, collectibles, coins, cash)Irreplaceable documents (personal identification, medical records, wills, financial documents, etc.)Flammable items (paint, solvents, batteries, any kind of chemicals)Gardening supplies (weed killer and insecticides)
Boxes:
Pros: Cheaper than totes, efficient to flatten and remove, stackable, more readily accessible and available sizesCons: Fall apart easily (when wet, for example), can get crushed, can’t see through, need extra materials such as tape, can’t always reuse
Totes:
Pros: Long-lasting, reusable, good for long-term storage, durable, stackable (for the most part), transparentCons: Expensive, susceptible to cracks, caves under weight, heavy to lift/move when stuffed, depending on the design some may not stack well
Throw pillows (they may become misshaped when packed, anyhow) Curtains (ditch the dingy ones for a refresh) Decor that doesn’t spark joy Unread, unwanted, and dusty old books Old, stained, and unused rugs Chipped dishes and glasses Broken small appliances you “mean” to fix one day
Renting plastic moving boxes is a smart alternative. Companies like Gorilla Bins offer two-week rental packages based on home size. Packages typically include:
Moving bins in both medium and large sizesZip ties (so you don’t need packing tape) Peel and stick labelsFree delivery and pick up
Places that rent plastic boxes usually wash them between rentals. If you’re a germaphobe, some companies like Bin It and A Smart Move, sanitize after cleaning. But you can DIY them in a few seconds. Here are the quick steps to making vacuum space bags: To avoid this problem you can create a detailed spreadsheet that lists each box’s contents. Yea, right, like who has the time? The easiest way to pack when moving is to organize by taking a photo of the stuff that goes into a box before packing using your smartphone or tablet. To make this trick work you’ll need to give the photo and the box the same name for easy reference, for example, kitchen box #5. You can also use an organizing app, like Sortly, which is designed to make moving more orderly. It enables you to create visual inventory lists for each box you pack using photos and printable QR code labels. When you scan the latter using your smartphone or tablet the app will share pictures of the box’s contents. Using a toothpick to mark where to peel will make taping boxes less of a chore. To do this, place the toothpick horizontally on the tape’s sticky side about 1/2 inch from the end. Afterward, fold the end of the tape under so it covers the toothpick. What to do instead? If you own a paper shredder, chances are you’ll be shredding a ton of paper clutter while you’re getting ready to move. Instead of dumping the shredded paper into the recycling bin, you can use it to cushion blows. To avoid a big confetti-like mess, stuff the paper shreds into plastic grocery bags before using to pad boxes and fragile items. Just remember to tie a knot at the top of each bag to prevent spilling. Another good idea to know: clean plastic bottles in an assortment of sizes can be used to stop odd-shaped items from shifting around the confines of boxes. The trick to making this idea work is labeling. For example, you can label things like cords individually and then group them by gadget or device in labeled bags.
Weekend kit: Include all the stuff you would need if you left town for a few days including clothing, toiletries, and medications. Bed and bath kit: Think basics like toilet paper, towels, and sheets. First aid kit: When accidents happen, a small stash of plastic bandages, antiseptic towelettes, and absorbent compresses will come in handy. Toolkit: Pack what you’ll need to open boxes and assemble furniture like screwdrivers, pliers, hex keys, and scissors. You might want to organize and label the screws and nails used to dismantle furniture and put them into this kit so you have everything ready to quickly rebuild. Munchie kit: Pack snacks, bottled water, and a few pantry items for the next morning like coffee and your coffee machine. Cleaning kit: A few goods to have include garbage bags, paper towels, and multipurpose spray cleaner.
