My husband and I recently moved. Immediately I though, oh, moving tips! You see, we were purchasing a property that was going to be available after a month or two so we put some items in storage. Wow! What a learning curve THAT was.
There are lots to learn about how to pack up and store your belongings while moving so that they are safe and well when you come to put them back in your home (or dorm room). So it’s time for some packing, storage and moving tips.
Ready, let’s go!
Packing, Storage and Moving Tips
Before you start make sure you have good quality boxes, or even seal-able plastic tubs to store your items. You’ll need items like newspaper or butchers paper (the all white paper), bubble wrap and tape. Don’t panic if the budget doesn’t stretch to bubble wrap, you can use lines such as towels and sheets to wrap breakables in.
Don’t over pack boxes. As you fill them, continue to try to lift them. If they get too heavy, either fill with light items such as pillows or throw cushions or scrunched up paper and seal them up. There’s no point having overfilled boxes you can’t lift.
Clearly mark what it in each box. We do this by sticking an A4 sheet of paper on the side and writing on the tape at the top. This means we can use the boxes again without confusion AND you always know what is where if you need to grab something from your storage unit.
TIP: Make sure the labels on your boxes point out so you can see the labels in the storage unit. Labelling is pointless if you don’t make them easy to read and visible while your items are in storage.
Furniture Packing, Storage & Moving Tips
Before moving items, make sure they are clean and you’ve removed anything that could attract, eewwww rodents and things like that. Sure a few crumbs probably won’t sink the ship, but they might too. Clean it up!
Consider removing the legs from items that will need to be manoeuvred in and around corners to make this easier to do. Same goes for cushions, items in cupboards and wardrobe (hello busted shelves). Tape doors shut (watch any furniture stain or finishes though, it might be worth putting a tea towel between the tape and the doors to stop it pulling off the finish) and you’re all set.
To protect cushions, mattresses and other fabric based items, wrap in cling wrap. Buy a cheap and cheerful roll with lots of metres and go nuts. Wrap them up and keep out moisture or things that could dirty or stain them.
Whitegoods Packing, Storage & Moving Tips
Something we found out in our last move was how sensitive some modern washing machines can be to too much movement in the bowl. Either use the padding that it originally came with or blankets to stop the excess movement that may ruin your machine.
It goes without saying, but I’m saying it anyway, make sure your fridge, freezer, washer and dryer are clean and dry before putting them in storage. And when you put them into your storage unit, prop the doors or lids open to allow for air flow.
There used to be this thing where you couldn’t turn a fridge until a certain period after moving it. For a lot of modern fridges, I’m told this is no longer the case. But better safe than sorry, leave your fridge sit for a little while before switching it back on.
Electronic Items Packing, Storage & Moving Tips
Where possible, keep your original boxes to pack and move electronic items. Sure it might be too late to say that, but it’s a good tip moving forward. Keep the boxes and the packaging and your stuff will be much safer than if you tried to move it without it.
Already thrown out your boxes? If you call a removalist or storage place, they may be able to sell you a box to suit your tv or whatever piece of equipment you need to move. Worth the investment to keep these items safe.
When moving this time we had just purchased a new tv. This tv apparently doesn’t travel well laid down flat. It needs to be stood up. It may be worth Googling (or check the manual or box if you still have it) for the best method of transporting your type of tv. You’d hate to do all this hard work protecting it for moving and then damage it doing something simple like lying it the wrong way.
Pack cords, remotes and accessories in the box with the item. It’ll always ensure it’s there when you need it. However take the batteries out of any remotes so that they don’t corrode.
In your storage area, keep electrical items up off the ground or out of corners that may get wet or damp. Our storage shed recently got water through it and we lost a huge amount of our electrical items because once they are wet, they are ruined. Pretty much one hundred percent of the time. And it doesn’t have to be much, the rising damp from cement can be enough. Store them high and dry just to be on the safe side.
What NOT to Do
If you are hiring a space to store your items, there are a few things you cannot store. Some more obvious than others. You can’t store things that are hazardous, illegal, stolen, inflammable, explosive, environmentally harmful, perishable or that are a risk to the property of any person. This includes items like petrol tins, paint thinner, full gas bottles or chlorine. If in doubt, just ask. Better safe than sorry.
Melissa is the Leave Home Blog Boss. She is living the high life in her hometown, didn’t finish her marketing degree & drinks too much on a Thursday night. Blogging since 2009, Melissa decided to put everything she knows into making The Leave Home Blog a light & easy how-to guide for being a grown up.
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