For a smooth and safe relocation, the key is to be prepared for every step of the way. There’s so much to do – finding a new home, scheduling your moving day with a moving company, dealing with all the paperwork, etc. One of the tasks that give people a lot of headaches is organizing the packing process of the whole household. Some people underestimate the amount of time and energy you need to do that, and they end up feeling overwhelmed with some of their items poorly packed and damaged during transport. We’ve got you covered – this is the guide that will help you get ready for packing your home. Here’s a list of all the must-have packing materials and supplies for your move – it will ensure you pack quickly and on the first go.
Why prepare all the supplies in advance?
Both small and big homes take time to pack and get ready for transport. So, if you don’t have all the supplies at hand, you can make one of the most common moving mistakes and wait for those last couple of days before the moving day to start packing. Being prepared is the key to smooth and fast packing. More importantly, having everything you need will ensure you don’t need to improvise or stop packing to run to the store to get some more supplies. Once you start with all items at hand, you’ll pack everything with ease and finish very quickly.
What are the must-have packing materials and supplies you need to pack your home?
Start writing down – let’s go through everything you’ll need to pack your home for a move. However, be sure to adjust the number of supplies to the size of your household. Also, check if you already have some of the things. Sometimes, friends or family members who recently moved can give you the leftovers so you can even save some money on this packing session. You can always purchase the rest of the items by contacting your local moving company.
Boxes
Let’s begin with the most obvious item on the list. You’ll need boxes of various sizes to pack your home. The size and the number of boxes will depend on how many items you’ll have to pack. To make sure you don’t waste any money on these, use a packing calculator to estimate the size and number of boxes you’ll need. Making an inventory list will also help. You can go for cardboard boxes or protect your items even better by renting plastic containers that are safe, stackable, and eco-friendly. Finally, you can use some alternatives if you’re trying to save money on packing materials and supplies – suitcases, drawers, laundry baskets, gym bags, etc. All of these can serve as packing containers, but be sure to use them for items that are not fragile.
Remember: adapt the size of your boxes to the items you’ll pack. Use boxes of various sizes and try not to overpack them. Filling a massive box with too many items will make it difficult to carry and increase the chances of something getting damaged.
Packing paper, packing peanuts, and wrapping
Many of the items on your list are probably sensitive to tumbling, fragile, and easy to damage. This doesn’t need to be a problem – be sure to get enough packing paper and some wrapping. Use them to wrap each item individually, fill the rest of the space in boxes, and provide extra cushioning. Packing peanuts are also excellent for filling that extra space in a box and preventing tumbling. These are particularly important for packing fragile kitchen items and electronics. It’s very difficult yet important to pack electronic devices properly, as these are sensitive to tumbling and drastic temperature changes. Due to their worth, they require extra protection during transport. It’s with protective packing supplies that you ensure their safety.
Small plastic bags
Don’t lose small items or parts of furniture you need to disassemble to move them to your new home. Plastic zip bags are perfect for keeping those pieces safe – be sure to separate parts for each piece of furniture and even tape it to the more significant pieces, so they don’t get lost.
Markers, stickers, pens
Organization and labeling are the keys to efficiency when moving houses. Use markers or stickers to label each box. You can write what’s inside and what’s the room it belongs to. You can even color-code the boxes by room, so your moving team knows where to put them.
Tape and scissors
You’ll need tape to seal all the boxes – and you’ll need a lot of it. It’s best to get some heavy-duty tape to ensure the safety of your items. And for easier and faster taping, use a special packing tape dispenser to save time. You’ll also need scissors for opening plastic bags, cutting the tape, etc.
Plastic wrap
Plastic wrap is such a versatile item. You can use it for wrapping and keeping certain things together for easier handling. Get a roll or two in case you need to wrap certain items together, such as magazines, plates, or books.
Items to help you handle bigger items
Big items in our homes can’t fit into boxes, so you need to figure out how to load them onto a moving truck easily. Even though professional movers such as statetostatemove.com advise hiring professionals to help you out, some people will try to handle this on their own. In that case, be sure to have a dolly or tow, moving pads, lifting straps, moving blankets, and a ramp to help you load items quickly on the truck. Packing an entire house takes time and effort, so some people opt to let experts do that instead. Professional packing services are perfect for people moving with kids or those who have busy jobs and can’t focus properly on the packing process. But if you decide to DIY, keep this list of must-have packing materials and supplies at hand to get ready for this adventure.