Whether you’re relocating across town or across the country, moving presents a major hassle. Beyond packing your belongings (and wondering how you acquired so many of them), you must attempt to keep your boxes organized, arrange transportation for your large furniture, and make sure that nothing gets lost in the shuffle. Lucky for you, here at Simple Box, moving is a big part of our daily services, and we’ve picked up some tricks along the way. Here are five moving supplies (and one thing that you shouldn’t pack) that will help your moving day run smoothly.
Opt for paper packing tape
No matter how many boxes you’ve taped together, it always seems as though there’s more tape in sticky bundles on the floor than on the boxes. Avoid tape mishaps by opting for paper packing tape. It sticks well to cardboard, it tears easily without getting stuck to itself, and you can write on it. Additionally, if aesthetics are important to you, the brown color matches the cardboard boxes so that it looks crisp and clean. You can find this at your local hardware store or online.
Get plenty of permanent markers
Labeling your boxes is perhaps one of the most important parts of moving; you won’t want to spend the next few weeks searching through your boxes to find your missing frying pan amongst living room items. Permanent markers make labeling easy. Be sure to buy a bunch of them! Having one per person or one per room guarantees that you won’t have to go searching for one when you need it.
Although any permanent marker works, we recommend markers with a thicker tip. The point of labeling your boxes is that you’ll know what’s inside of them. If you can’t see the writing, then the point is moot. Don’t be afraid to label multiple sides of the boxes so that you can easily see the label without searching. The great thing about stocking up on permanent markers is that you won’t have to worry about running out of ink.
Color code with colored sticking dots or packing labels
Color coding boxes brings your labeling to the next level. With either colored sticking dots or packing labels, you can assign one color for each room so that there is no confusion over where the box goes. Once you’ve moved your boxes into your home, having the contents of the box labeled (with the permanent marker you bought), will be helpful for when you need to find a specific item. However, when you’re transporting the boxes from your old home to your new one, color coding will expedite the process; you and the movers will only need to look at the assigned color and know where to put the box. Moving is stressful enough; take out the guesswork, and color code those boxes.
Choose moving boxes of the same size
Amassing cardboard boxes for your move may be a bit of a no-brainer. You might be tempted to use the collapsed cardboard you’ve collected in your garage over the years or ask your friends and family for their old cardboard. In the end, this might save you a little cash, but it will cost you some time and frustration.
An important consideration to keep in mind is how your belongings will stack inside a moving truck or container. If all of your boxes are different sizes, it will be difficult to securely stack the boxes, especially alongside your furniture. When all of the boxes are the same size, they stack much easier and make for a smoother moving experience. They are also much easier to handle on a hand-truck or cart for an easier loading and unloading experience.
One of the most common moving box sizes is a medium box around 18″ x 18″ x 16″. Find these at a local grocery store or ask a local restaurant, liquor store, or grocery store if they have any extras. The size of the box doesn’t matter. Large or small, the key is that they are all the same size. However, keep in mind that larger boxes will be more difficult to move by hand and are easy to over-fill.
Bottled water
In all of the moving hubbub, you might forget about some of your important daily needs. Once you’ve packed your cups, your access to water will be limited. You can go a long time without food, but if you don’t have enough water, you will fade fast. We recommend buying a whole case of bottled water and having at least two bottles per person. Staying hydrated is so important, and a case of water is a small cost for a real necessity. Your friends and helpers will thank you, too!
In addition to providing bottled water, treat those who are helping you move to some snacks or lunch. A quick pizza delivery won’t cost too much or take up much time, and your helpers will appreciate it. This small act of kindness can go a long way in showing your gratefulness as well as filling hungry bellies.
Bonus tip: Don’t pack the toiletries
Along with necessities like bottled water, too often people forget to put aside toiletries such as shampoo, toothbrushes, and toilet paper. The last thing you want to be doing after a long day of moving is tearing boxes apart trying to find these essentials so that you can go to bed. Before you start moving, put aside a bag with a couple of days’ worth of necessities so that they’re accessible.
It doesn’t take much to avoid chaos during your move. Moving supplies like colored stickers and permanent markers can completely transform your moving experience.
Stressed about moving? You don’t have to do it all in one weekend. If you’re ready to make your next move the best move, get a moving container from Simple Box. We have helped thousands of people move across town or across the state. For those who need a place to keep their belongings while they look for a new home, we also have storage containers for rent