Moving house sounds exciting, but it never is an operation we look forward to because, very often, we don’t know where to begin. You have to contact utility companies, clean your entire home before you Move, hire a removal firm in advance, not to mention pack all your belongings. So, how to pack up your house for relocation and make sure you don’t forget something in the process?
Packing supplies you need
No matter how many boxes you have lying around the house, you will need various box types to accommodate all your belongings. You will also need to make sure that they are sturdy enough to weather the moving itself. Many often overlook the fact that purchasing moving boxes and other packing materials are a necessary part of house relocation.
If you have any spare plastic boxes, you can pack your fragile and valuable items in them. Alternatively, provided you have the time to search for free moving boxes, there are plenty of ways to obtain them. Remember that sometimes you might have to go during a specific time of the day to procure the best ones, as some grocery shops, for example, receive shipments only once a week. Generally, you’ll need:
- Small bxes
- Medium boxes
- Large boxes
- Heavy duty boxes
- Wardrobe boxes
- Mirror boxes/ Telescopic cardboard boxes
For safety reasons, it’s best to use telescopic cardboard boxes if you want to pack mirrors and artwork.
You can make wardrobe boxes yourself by using a tall enough box and adding a metal rail you can find on eBay in different lengths. Additionally, you’ll need:
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Styrofoam
- Old newspapers
- Stretch wrap for furniture
- Marker
- Plastic bags
- Labels
There are whole moving house kits online you can find for different types of properties. Another option is to book a packing service from a removal company. Not only do they have different types of boxes suitable for all sorts of items, but they can also do all the packing and Move professionally for you. Moreover, items packed by moving companies are usually insured against damage and loss.
How to pack for moving house
Begin packing well in advance
The average time it takes to pack all of your items depends mainly on their number. However, in most of our articles with packing tips, we state that you should start the process earlier than most people think. For a large house, two months should be enough if you pack one box daily. For smaller homes, one month should be just fine. Of course, there is no exact number, but you get the idea.
Start with rooms and items you use less often
For instance, you can first tackle the rooms on the highest floor, especially if you have a loft, and then, little by little, move your way towards the bottom floors. Seasonal items you’re currently not using, such as garden tools, coats, and Christmas lights, are perfect examples of items you can pack before you handle everything else. Sorting through already packed belongings makes it easier to set aside the boxes you’re taking with you and those which you would like to donate or give away.
Declutter and donate
Speaking of things you don’t want to take with you, hold a garage sale or give your old unwanted items to charity. There is also eBay, so your options are plenty. If you have friends helping you with your move, ask them whether they need anything you plan to sell. After all, you’re not paying them, and they should get something for all their troubles. You can sweeten the deal with a pizza or drinks.
Make a detailed inventory list
These are extremely helpful if you have large collections of books, CDs, trinkets, etc. It’s okay if you write just “Books” on the labels of your moving boxes. However, if you have a specialised literature collection, which is not kept in a single room, we recommend typing out detailed inventory lists. That way, you can upload the spreadsheets on your phone while you print out and stick copies to each box.
Pack one room at a time
This is one of the most important packing tips that often gets neglected. There is a debate about whether storing your items by room or by category is better. It really depends on what’s easier for you. Nevertheless, we recommend packing your belongings by room. Doing this will help you stay organised and will later tell the movers or anyone unloading which box goes where.
Read more about Packers and Movers Delhi
Additionally, you can begin unloading and unpacking your items in reverse – from the top to the ground floor. Begin with the items you know won’t need any unpacking, then move the remaining boxes. This will also prevent unnecessary strain on your muscles, as by the end of the relocation process, you will probably be too tired to climb stairs with even more items.
Do not exceed the limit of 30 pounds per box
This is of high importance if you move abroad, as there will be many more moving boxes to pack for sure. You might get a back injury, or one of the boxes might not be able to withstand the weight when moving it. Pack light items in large boxes and heavy items in small boxes. This packing tip alone will save you a great deal of pain… literallyUse plastic bags for spillable items
When it comes to packing toiletries and detergents, it’s best to reduce the number of liquid items you wish to take by packing only essentials. Select a sturdy box and some plastic bags. Take the bottles and unscrew the caps. Afterwards, place a plastic bag over the neck of each bottle and screw the caps back on. Ideally, you should be able to fit the whole bottle into the plastic bag. Tie/Zip the bag and secure it with scotch packing tape. That way, if your bottle opens accidentally, its contents will remain in the plastic bag.
Roll your clothes
Ask any frequent traveller what the best way to store their clothes is, and most of them will agree that rolling them is most practical. This is way easier than following any guide on how to fold your clothes properly. Plus, rolling reduces the amount of space they take, and wrinkles are less likely to appear. So you can store more clothes in one box and not worry about ironing them before you put them back in your wardrobe.
Use roll tubes to pack cables and appliance wiring
We all know how annoying it is to get your earphones tangled in your pocket, right? To avoid the same from happening to all the wiring you have at your house, use toilet roll tubes to pack them individually. Afterwards, label them with a small sticky note and store them in a single box.
Store all of your valuables in one place
Needless to say, pack all of your valuable belongings in one place and make a detailed inventory list so that you won’t forget or lose something. Another option is to rent a safe deposit box at your bank of choice and place your valuables there for safekeeping.
Take all of your documents with you
These include birth certificates, passports, bank account statements, etc. If your documents can fit into one box, pack them in one of a suitable size and load it into your car. If you run your own home business or have a private practice, you may need to consider the packing and business removal services of a professional removals company depending on your needs. Don’t forget that such services are usually insured.
Also read: Best Way To Relocate With Packers and Movers in Rohini
