Moving house is considered to be one of the most stressful events in life; according to a recent poll, two thirds of people admitted moving triggers more anxiety than relationship breakdowns, divorce, and starting a new job. But with enough planning and a few helpful hacks, you can help make the process much easier, alleviating anxiety and letting you focus on setting up your new home.
Store heavy things in small boxes
It’s a good idea to pack your heavier items in smaller boxes, to avoid making one box too heavy to carry. Stack books and other heavy objects, and put the heavier boxes at the bottom when you’re stacking them in the moving van. You should also mark the heavy boxes, so everyone knows which is which, and avoids an injury. When packing any size box, it’s important you don’t completely fill it. This can make it too heavy or too cumbersome to carry safely, regardless of what’s inside.
When packing essential items you’ll need as soon as you move in, such as for cleaning, try and use a clear box so you can see which box you need. Things like toothbrushes and phone chargers will definitely be needed on your first day and evening, so make sure these are easy to find, to save you searching through boxes on moving day.
Cover open bottles with cling film before putting the tops back
The last thing you want is to have liquids spill out of their bottles in transit, so making sure that they’re correctly sealed is essential. As moving experts Anyvan suggest in their packing tips for moving house guide, simply unscrew the lid and cover the openings with cling film before screwing the top back on. If you want to be extra careful, you can even store the bottles in resealable bags.
When packing pressed powder cosmetics, place a cotton bad or ball on top of the powder before closing the lid to prevent them from cracking during the move.
Wrap breakables in clothes to save on paper and bubble wrap
When it comes to packing breakables, you could end up spending too much on bubble wrap when simply using your clothes could be a solution. Things like dishes, glass bowls, and pans could be wrapped up inside t-shirts. Glasses can be wrapped inside socks to stop them shattering – just make sure they’re clean first!
However, for fragile, expensive items, don’t skip out on the bubble wrap. Carefully wrap fragile items and store them in their own boxes to avoid running the risk of them breaking. Make sure that you fill in the empty spaces between any items and the box with packing paper, or even newspaper, so keep it safe from damage.
Use your dressers and baskets to pack things
To save money on boxes, use the equipment you already have to pack your items away. Fill your dressers up with clothes, or any items, and transport it to your new home like that. Just make sure you don’t overfill it, otherwise it may be too heavy to move. To keep the drawers and doors closed, simply wrap your dresser with cling film – just make sure to unscrew the handle so to give a flat surface on the front. This can also act to protect the outside of your furniture from getting scratched while on the removal van. If you’re worried about opening the drawers, you can make a simple drawer pull with a piece of tape.
Label everything clearly on the side, and number the boxes
When it comes to labelling your boxes, make sure you write it on the side, so you can easily identify the boxes when they’re stacked. Packing everything by room can make it easier when it comes to unpacking – just make sure you label the room it belongs in on the box. Having a list of what’s in each box can also make unpacking much quicker once you’ve reached your new home, and allows you to easily unpack essential things first. Numbering your boxes can also ensure you don’t accidentally lose a box in transit.
For the more organised, it could be worth creating a detailed list of everything packed into each box as you pack it. Having numbered boxes makes this much easier, and helps you keep track of all of your belongings. Use a computer to make a spreadsheet of everything that’s been packed up, or use an app like Sortly to keep organised.