3 Vital Packing Tips When You're Moving

If you're moving you're going to need all the best packing tips. And we've got the 3 most important packing tips for you right here on the Keylock Blog

Packing Tips: Clean 

The first of the packing tips you will need to know is to clean and categorize!  A lesser heard packing tip is to clean BEFORE you pack.  That's right - clean the house before everything gets put away and cleared out.  If you thoroughly clean first before you pack it will cut the time down on packing because you've already decluttered and organized everything in your home.  Also, when you go to deep clean before you leave, it cuts down on all the deep cleaning immensely.

The website Unpakt details how to clean after you move.  They said,

"Moving a house is time-consuming and can be quite a stressful event as it consists of many tasks. From the finding of the movers to the unpacking of your furniture at your new home, there is a lot of legwork and paperwork involved during the whole process. And, cleaning your house before the move is an essential step. If you are renting your current place, then you should leave your property cleaned and tidied to avoid issues with your landlord. If you are selling your house, then cleaning and organizing is a must in order to boost your chances for a better deal. To save time, make a cleaning checklist and make a list of all the cleaning supplies needed.

From Top to Bottom…

In order to make your house shine, you should clean each spot in the house including doors and window frames which are usually skipped. Wash windows and scrub frames. Leave floors spotless. Mind that different floorings require different cleaning supplies. Steam clean carpets and mop hard floors. Do not forget to wipe light fixtures thoroughly and clean up stains from the walls.

A spotless kitchen

The kitchen is usually the hardest room to clean. And it’s the last room that should be tidied up in your cleaning checklist. Perhaps, if you are moving your appliances – fridge, microwave, and stove, or dishwasher, dismantle and clean them at 3-4 days, so they will be ready to transport on moving day. You can eat out or order a delivery right to your home till the move day. Moreover, food is what you should not pack when moving a house.

Clean appliances in and outside using the proper detergent, take care of oil stains. If there are appliances that you are leaving behind, make sure to leave them in an appropriate condition too. Clean the floor under the fridge and the stove. Scrub sink and wipe countertops. After packing dishes and glasses, cleanse cabinets and drawers.

Scrutinize bathroom

Scrub and sanitize each inch of the bathroom- top to bottom. Get rid of mildew. Do the thorough cleaning a few days before the move day, so you can do just a quick clean when you leave the place. Empty and wipe drawers and leave only a small case with toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and a towel for the last days.

Throw away expired medications and cosmetics. Wash cabinets and vanities. Wipe mirrors and mirror frames. Scrub sink and drains, and shine faucets. Sanitize the toilet. Clean shower and bathtub. You might use an abrasive product for a better result. Wipe towel racks, toilet paper holder, and hooks. Dust light fixtures.

Bedrooms & living room

Cleaning and moving large furniture can be hectic. Empty closets and wipe shelves. Clean wardrobe in and outside. Dust furniture and steam clean your carpet, mop floor. Do not forget to clean under the bed. Wash any drapes and curtains even if you are leaving them behind.

Do not skip the outdoors and your garage

Those are usually neglected. If your garage is a mess after you pack all items that you are taking with you, don’t leave it that way. Clean oil stains if there are any, take out the garbage. Sweep dirt and clean shelves. Mow the lawn.

Cleaning is too much for you… consider professional help

Many professional moving and storage companies offer cleaning services too. So, if you like you can ask for a price in case you’d want that additional service. Sure, you can also look for a cleaning company on your own.

Regardless of who will do the cleaning, make sure you leave your house cleaned and tidied. If you are selling the property, you might even consider doing some renovation. Even small updates can significantly increase the chances for a better deal. At the very least, fix broken stuff. You can also paint the walls. Consider consulting with a professional stager."

Packing Tips: Categorize 

The next packing tip is to categorize, categorize, categorize.  After you have cleaned and de-cluttered, take all your items and categorize them.  Make sure to group items not only by type but by size and weight to make sure packages are weighted properly.

Keylock Storage created an entire page of helpful packing tips.  On it they said,

"

• Don’t make boxes too heavy.  It’s better to use slightly smaller boxes and pack with balanced weighted items so that moving is quicker and will only require one person per box.
• Clearly Identify boxes ahead of time.  Using pre-made labels may speed this process up.
• Try to avoid using plastic bags as much as possible.  Plastic bags can capture moisture and possibly destroy items.
• Make sure your boxes are evenly weighted and packed to avoid sides opening and leaving items open for damage.
• Don’t stand your books on their spines as this can cause damage.  Instead – stack them vertically.
• Using masking tape across the face of mirrors and glass covered art and photos, especially large ones, prevents them from shattering.
• Be sure to launder and clean all linens such as clothing, towels, drapes, etc. before packing to prevent germs, dirt, and mold.
• Before storing items made of leather, take time to treat the leather with the special condition solution made for that leather piece.  Leather pieces of furniture often include the leather treatment with purchase.  If not, contact the manufacturer to find the preferred solution for your leather.
• Dissemble beds, tables, etc. that are made to be taken apart.  Those pieces will travel better if packed this way.
• When you choose your storage unit, factor in slightly more size than you think you will need.  This will make sure to give you some wiggle room in case you forget items and will allow you to walk through the unit to access items instead of being forced to remove everything in your unit simply to get to one item in the back.
• Decide if you need a drive-up unit and other factors when you pick your unit.  Access may end up being as important as size depending on what and how you’re storing your items.
• Think through the type of items you are packing and/or storing.  If it sensitive materials such as documents, electronics, medicine, and other items that are sensitive to heat or cold, you may want to consider climate control storage.  Climate controlled storage units have heating and cooling to control the indoor unit’s climate to ensure the optimal temperature for climate-sensitive items.
• Cover your furniture and other appropriate items with tarps to prevent possible leaks or dirt from corrupting them.
• Wrap dishes and cups individual with bubble wrap or newspaper before putting them in boxes.  This will keep your box secure and prevent items from moving around or breaking.
• Arrange your packing so that boxes with fragile items are on top. This will prevent crushing and breaking."

Packing Tips: Not All Boxes Are Created Equal!  

Lots of people don't know that there are different types of boxes for different types of items.  Keylock Storage did an entire page on types of boxes.  On their page, they said,

"Storage Tip - Types of Boxes