Packing Tips for Moving | Moving Tips | Long Distance USA Movers

Checklist of the Best Packing Tips for Moving

Lack of proper packing tips for moving might turn your biggest adventure into a nightmare, especially if you’re trying to handle the relocation process on your own. Learning how to keep it structured will help you save a lot more than just your time – it’s your peace of mind we’re talking about here.

A couple boxing up their home before long-distance moving overlay
With the right tips for packing for a move, a smooth relocation process is what you can count on.

If you just started to pack without any plan or order and are wondering what the most efficient way to pack for a move is, you’re at the right place. With our tips, you’ll quickly find clever ways to keep your focus and take a great deal of stress out of your move. So take a deep breath, and let’s start.

 

Ready for a Long Distance Move? Get a Quote

How to Organize Properly

There’s probably no such thing as a completely stress-free transition, but something closest to it must be a well-organized one, with a properly made packing schedule way before the process even starts. Organizing a move always depends on the time and effort put into pre-moving plans. Going over things that will help you start on the right foot is the right way to go.

Start Early Enough

There is a way to avoid anxiety about relocating and even move efficiently to another state. In the very beginning, it’s normal to procrastinate, delay things, and ask yourself how long before moving you should start packing without actually jumping into it. However, keep in mind how important it is to go through this phase as soon as possible. Whether you take months or only weeks to sort everything out, using your time productively is what will make a difference.

Declutter Your Home Before Moving House

Getting rid of unnecessary items is always a good starting point, particularly when relocating to another state alone. Assuming you already have a new apartment shopping list, purging your old stuff won’t be that hard. Consider donating unwanted items or taking the time to research how to have a successful garage sale. Since this is a perfect moment to think about your relocation budget, saving some money can’t do any harm. Do you have any unwanted appliances that you simply don’t need anymore? Luckily, you can donate old appliances, too.

Create an Inventory List

Making such a big move can be an extremely complex process, and learning how to do a home inventory can help you facilitate it. By making a list of belongings and their value, as well as the condition they’re in, you will be able to tell what should be packed first when moving. But even more importantly, it will give you a clear picture of any damage that occurs during transport.

To learn how to declutter your home properly before the move, check out the video below.

Tips for Packing to Move: Use High-Quality Boxes and Supplies When Moving Long-Distance

Obtaining quality supplies and using them effectively are some of the most vital steps to boxing up your belongings successfully. You’ll easily find the best-sized boxes for your items, so don’t be lazy to search for them. Also, there are specially designed containers for more vulnerable belongings made from much sturdier cardboard. Besides these, consider getting cheap supplies, like paper and tape, labeling markers and scissors, and any protective materials of your choice.

Reuse Old Cardboard Boxes

This is a great moment to avoid spending a pretty penny by reusing boxes instead of buying new ones. This will help you cut down on relocation expenses. You probably won’t have trouble getting them in your neighborhood. Just take a walk around local stores and office buildings. Most of them can’t wait to get rid of cardboard. However, don’t forget to check thoroughly if there are damaged or weak spots due to previous use.

Pile of boxes with a tape overlay
Without quality supplies, there's no chance to ensure safe travels for your household goods.

Go Strategically, Room by Room

You might be thinking about the best room to start with, but eventually, you’ll have to box up all of them. If you didn’t come up with your own strategy already, starting with the most demanding rooms is a pretty good one. There’s a simple philosophy behind it: as the big day approaches, your strength and energy will not be at their peak exactly; on the contrary. So, when talking about packing and moving tips, tackling the most demanding areas in the home first is a wise move.

Use Packing Labels

Don’t skip this one if you want to avoid unnecessary stress when unpacking. Try to imagine: you spend weeks, maybe even months boxing up your home, and now you’re faced with a bunch of identical boxes. How do you decide what to load first or what to put at the bottom of the truck? Or, even worse, what to do with all of these boxes once they finally reach their new destination? Which ones should you put into the kitchen? And what about the living room? To avoid these situations, remember to label your items properly. It’s one of the best relocation hacks that can spare you a lot of trouble.

Neatly arranged labeled boxes ready for cross-country moving overlay
A sound strategy is all you need to deal with the process successfully.

Wrap Breakables and Items of High Value With Utmost Care

Since they are well-known for being the most challenging of all the items, having the right tips on how to box up fragile items is of crucial importance. Whether you’re wondering how to pack plates correctly or what to do to protect and pack china safely, bubble wrap is always the answer. If you want to save your favorite dishes from damage, wrap each item individually rather than in bundles. Before placing them carefully into the box, add some kind of padding and fill the space between items with crumpled paper.

A wrapped mug overlay
Whatever the question, bubble wrap is the answer.

Pack Electronic Devices Properly

Relocating your electronics without causing any damage while prepping them for the move is a matter of attention and patience. A single accident can result in damage to some of the most valuable possessions. That’s precisely why protecting electronics carefully before putting them in their original packaging – if you still have it – is crucial. According to cross-country moving experts, this is the best option because original cartons usually contain pre-shaped protective foam. If you no longer have these, regular cardboard containers will do. However, be sure they’re big enough for all the wraps and foam peanuts that have to go in with the device. You can even consider purchasing moving insurance to ensure all of your items are fully covered during the move.

A power cord overlay
With proper protective materials, relocating your valuables doesn't have to be intimidating

The Best Way to Box up Your Clothes

Although there are various methods to sort out your clothes successfully, our warm recommendation is to sort the clothes by season. It’s undoubtedly the most effective method, and the fastest one, for sure. To do it the right way, wash everything before placing it in a box, bag, or any kind of suitable container. This is where you have to think about protecting, as well, because not all clothes are the same. Some of your favorite pieces you’ll surely want to protect from dust, dirt, or even wrinkles. Garment bags are always a good solution, but even garbage bags are a great alternative, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Boxing up pieces of clothes overlay
Sorting out your wardrobe is a must before boxing it up

Create a “Don’t Pack” List

One of the most common things people forget to do when relocating is to put their moving essentials aside. A need for the things you use the most is a no-brainer. It’s practically your surviving kit for the first few days after the move-in. Make a list of everyday essentials to set aside:

  • Toiletries,
  • Comfortable clothes,
  • Bedsheets and towels,
  • First aid kit,
  • Basic kitchenware,
  • Favorite snacks and drinks.

Don’t forget to label it clearly with “Don’t pack.” Trust us, you don’t need that one to end up with a bunch of other cartons on the truck when the pick-up day comes.

Keep Non-Allowable Items in Mind

When relocating with a professional cross-country moving company, they will surely provide you with a list of “non-allowables.” Some of them may appear far from harmful, yet again, it’s all about safety, so you have to play by the rules. When sorting out your stuff for relocating, here’s what to dispose of or transport on your own:

  • Explosives,
  • Flammables,
  • Perishables,
  • Firearms,
  • Anything illegal,
  • Houseplants.
Red prohibitory sign above boxes overlay
It's important to know what objects to put aside

Book Professional Movers to Help You Out

Inviting your friends and family over to a packing party is undoubtedly a good idea; you’ll add some fun to a serious event and even get some help out of it. However, relying entirely on them is not smart. Just imagine having to coordinate everyone’s schedules – including your own – and organize everyone’s tasks. Trusting a reliable long-distance moving company with these is much more convenient. Just by googling “long-distance movers near me,” you’ll get a list of professionals that can manage all of your belongings safely. With long-distance moving services of your choice, like professional packing or maybe even a car shipping service, a smooth transition is what you can count on.

Professional cross-country movers carrying a sofa overlay
Reliable long-distance movers are your best help when planning a big move.

Don’t Forget Move-Out Cleaning

Whatever your reasons to move, don’t make one of the biggest relocation mistakes once you’re finally done with boxing everything up and skip move-out cleaning. Even though you must be drained by now, your old house is surely downright messy after turning it upside-down. But without this final step, your job isn’t complete. Only when you leave the house in the same condition as it was once you moved it can we say you’re officially done. If it’s too challenging for you at this point to clean everything yourself, consider hiring professional cleaning services. With apps and websites like Omni Calculator, you can easily find out more about house cleaning costs.

A woman with cleaning supplies overlay
You can say you’ve done an excellent job when you deal with the final relocation step - the move-out cleaning

Fully Packed Before You Even Know It

Even though all the planning and tasks can be intimidating at times, don’t let them take the thrill out of the long-awaited life adventure. It’s why you’ve decided to do it in the first place. With a bit of practice and lots of great tips, you’ll be fully armed to tackle the most crucial aspect of your move successfully. The big day is almost here, so let’s get started. It’s time to pack your bags!

Hannah Michaelson

Hannah is a freelance relocation writer from NYC that has become an expert on packing and unpacking.


        © Copyright 2024 Long Distance Movers. All Rights Reserved.
        Check how much your move would cost.

        An obligation free quote

        Error: Contact form not found.

        Get a Free Estimate 877-299-3827