Moving is hectic. It’s an adventure, but it also requires management and organization. The first thing you need is supplies. Only when you get into it, will you understand the need certain supplies. When you have them, packing is a breeze. At Cheap Riverside Movers, we’ve devised the ultimate moving essentials checklist to use when packing:
Boxes or Totes
The first thing people who are moving think of is boxes. Those who can afford it buy theirs from storage or moving businesses. Those who can’t scrounge for boxes from grocery stores, liquor stores, dollar stores, restaurants, and department stores.
Boxes of all sizes and thicknesses are necessary for packing. Heavy things like pots and pans should go into reinforced boxes such as Bell pepper or lettuce boxes from grocery stores. Delicate things such as electronics or porcelain doll collections require thick boxes so nothing will crush them. Lighter things like clothing can be packed in ordinary boxes. Moving companies won’t pack anything on a truck that isn’t boxed up.
One thing most people don’t think of when moving is totes. Clear plastic totes of all sizes are handy for packing extension cords, winter coats, seasonal shoes like boots and flip-flops, and the contents of the medicine cabinet. Totes don’t need to be labeled. They stack nicely on the moving truck.
Protective Wrap
Bubble wrap also comes to mind when packing. Many people buy it. If you can’t afford it, then using newspaper, gift paper, or household linens works well. Lots of movers wrap the dishes, electronics, and breakables in towels, sheets, blankets, winter coats, and heavy shirts.
Wrapping delicate things is necessary because you don’t want them to break during transit. Then you’d have to replace them, which gets expensive. Wrap your things in the materials that work for you, both budget-wise and time-wise.
Labeling
Most folks write a box’s contents on the box itself. Others feel the need for labels. Some people use a color system to distinguish between valuables and ordinary stuff.
Obviously, labeling boxes saves time and aggravation when you know what’s in a box. If labels aren’t affordable, cutting newsprint or notebook paper into a label works well. Make sure to label top, bottom, and all four sides of the box. This saves trouble when unpacking because you’ll know what’s in the box no matter how it’s stacked.
Packing Tape
Packing tape comes in packages of four or six along with a tape gun. It doesn’t matter if you use clear or colored packing tape. You’ll also need a scissor and/or a box cutter. You’ll use up a roll of packing tape before you empty a room, so be sure to buy in bulk. It’s cheaper.
Moving companies won’t load a truck with boxes not taped shut. They must be taped shut with sturdy tape, applied at least twice across the join of the box as well as the corners. If they’re not taped properly, they run the risk of popping open during the loading process.
Furniture Padding
Blankets and tarps protect furnishings during loading the truck. They are also handy for padding mirrors, glass table tops, and flat-screen TVs. Most moving trucks have furniture padding but adding your own doubles your security.