Moving is one of the top ten stress inducers in today’s world. It’s right up there with losing your job and losing a loved one. Sometimes, even the best prepared moves can lead to disaster with unforeseen problems that no one could have planned on. The best way to avoid problems is to buy all your moving supplies ahead of time.
Depending on the size of your home, how you plan on transporting your belongings, and how far you are going, will have a major impact on the type an amount of supplies you’d need. Supplies can be purchased almost anywhere from major mass retailers to moving companies. For novices who plan on doing it all themselves, it’s a good idea to head to a local storage company. Usually their front office has plenty of moving and packing supplies, and they are knowledgeable enough to help you figure out what you’ll need.
Anyone who has ever moved has probably headed to all types of local stores after work each day collecting boxes. This might be a good start, but these boxes probably won’t be your best bet. Certainly don’t plan on packing an entire household in these second hand boxes. They have already been used, cut, damaged, and are probably dirty. The sizes might not even be what you need. It’s a better idea to actually buy new boxes. There are boxes specifically manufactured for certain products – books, clothes, kitchen utensils. They might cost a few bucks more than you wanted to spend, but it is an investment worth the time and expense. It’s also a nice benefit to have the boxes store flat until you need them.
Now that you have the perfect boxes, get the right packing tape. And get enough! Running out of tape at the last minute can ruin the entire move. Get strong packing tape, and make sure you get a dispenser that comes with a cutting edge. This lets you tape and cut with one hand. Forget carrying around scissors. When you tape, make sure you pay close attention to securing the bottoms of boxes. A half a roll of tape on top isn’t going to compensate for not enough on the bottom!
Think about special needs, too. Mattresses need extra protection. Buy a padded mattress cover – and put one on the box spring as well. A moving truck can be pretty dirty; you don’t want to get to your new home to find grease or dust all over them.
Professional moving companies always have a large supply of moving pads on hand. If a professional mover isn’t in the budget, get your own moving pads. These are a must! Place some on the floor to act as buffers for delicate items and fragile furniture. They come in different sizes and different materials to accommodate different needs. They can be rented or purchased.
Give some consideration to your larger items like your sofa and entertainment units. Covers should be wrapped around these as well. They should be protected like everything else from dirt and grime.
Moving tip: make sure your covers are all waterproof! You don’t want to have your furniture on your front lawn just as the sky opens up!
Monica Alberts, the Moving Queen, offers helpful resources for moving. Learn more on moving boxes by visiting her moving supplies website.
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