Published Date 7/16/2019
You remember, don't you? Last time you unpacked, you swore up one side and down the other that if you ever had to move again, you'd do it differently. You'd be organized. You'd be thoughtful. You'd make it easier on yourself because - well — there were items you couldn't find for months. What were you thinking when you left a few boxes in the garage to unpack later, but forgot you "threw" a few extras in them at the last minute that had nothing to do with the label on the box itself?
RealtyTimes Julia Campbell, in her article 7 Packing Mistakes You’re Making says there are a lot of ways to make this process a whole lot easier. Great unpacking begins with great packing. First, don't shortchange yourself by thinking you can pack at the last minute. The moment you have a buyer on contract for your current home or have given your landlord notice of your move, make a plan. It may seem like overkill, but packing weeks in advance is actually an excellent idea. "Before you just start piling things into boxes," says Campbell, "spend the time upfront to make an inventory of everything that needs to be either packed or tossed and break it down room by room. It will save you time down the line (and spare you a few grey hairs too)."
The next important element is labeling. You can't wing it, thinking one word scribbled on the outside of a cardboard box will do or assuming you will be able to remember which boxes go with each room based on memory. Label boxes by contents and room location. And if there are a few non-related things you threw into that box at the last moment just to fill it up or cushion the contents, label that too. You may never remember that you placed stuffed animals in boxes containing your mother's antique tea service (which you don't plan to unpack any time soon) because you ran out of bubble wrap.
Don’t cheap out. Craigslist can list a slew of ads about free boxes because people don't want to store them, but don't get skimpy about purchasing new ones. Moving boxes that have been used more than once break down, even though the stress they endured may not be apparent. Think about how the extra $50 on boxes, bubble wrap, tape and packing paper is worth if it spares your most treasured items, worth so much more than the money you spent. And yes — boxes are different sizes for a reason. Heavier items go into smaller boxes so they can be carried by a non-Marvel comic book hero. So when packing things like books and canned goods, make the containers compact sizes.
Bet you never thought about how things will stack up in the moving van. Says Campbell, "Be strategic about getting boxes that can stack together (and not just a few of each size). Know which packing materials should be used. And if you're on the fence about how much you should buy, buy liberally. It's way better to have extra than to make a frantic last-minute trip to the store come moving day."
Those plastic totes? They may look great and stack well, but they have a tendency to crack under weight. And using trash bags as moving boxes? Another cheap-out tactic. Broken items can be found within the most padded up bag, since jostling and throwing bags contribute to breakage. Garbage bags are best used for clothing, bedding, pillows., and stuffed animals. Double-bag if the items inside are precious to you.
The heavier and denser you pack a box, the greater the chance the items inside could break through. Pretend you are taking a trip abroad and, "As a rule of thumb, try to avoid making boxes heavier than 50 pounds," says Campbell. "Not sure how to gauge what's 50 pounds? Slide that sucker onto a scale. And if you have a hard time lifting it onto a scale, well, it's probably too heavy anyway." She also warns about the problem opposite to density. "Empty space equals shifting, which can equal your favorite mug breaking or your ceramic spoon rest cracking. Leave enough room for bubble wrap and packing paper, and fill any empty space in boxes with packing material (e.g., packing paper, newspaper, good ole' peanuts)." While it's fine to wrap things in towels and tees or fill up spaces with socks, don't forget what items you've mixed up. Those lucky socks your kid wears for important softball games might not jump right out at you when you are unpacking at your new locale.
The discipline necessary to pack early will help you get rid of things you have been meaning to toss, give away, or sell. Marie Condo your move by letting go of things that don't bring you joy. We doubt you will even miss those joyless items in the long run.
And then there is the overnight bag. Moving.com's Marion White recommends organizing all of your first-night essentials into one easily accessible place. "Otherwise, you could end up sleeping in yesterday's clothes," she says. "Packing your essentials in a "first night" bag, box or suitcase will not only give you peace of mind once the movers have left, but it will also make the entire experience less stressful overall. Ingredients for that overnight bag include toothbrushes and toothpaste, medications, phone chargers and electronics, pjs, underwear, and comfy shoes.
Lastly? A first aid kit. After all, box cutters can — and do — leave a mark.
Source: RealtyTimes, Moving, TBWS
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