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Posted in Moving Essentials, Moving Tips&Tricks on February 19, 2021
Gemma Collins

Gemma is an NJ local that has explored all the US states, making her the perfect person to write about moving.

The Best Packing Tips for Moving Long Distance – How to Make it All Less Stressful

Cross country moving is both exciting and nerve-racking, and only with proper packing tips for moving your move will be smooth and worry-free. We have gathered all the practical advice that will help you with your packing journey. Stay calm and become an expert at packaging your belongings for a long-distance move.

Many people make the same mistake when long-distance moving – they just start putting things in boxes, without any order or a plan. That usually results in a complete mess, lost things, prolonged packing, and very stressful unpacking. The only way to avoid that is to acquire all the useful advice about preparing for a move and to apply them. It will save you money, time, and your nerves.

The Most Important of All Packing Tips for Moving Is to Start Early

It might seem to you that wrapping and protecting all of your stuff won’t take long, but that could be a huge mistake. If you’re wondering when should you start packing to move because you want to reduce the stress, start early and start slow. That will help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed, no matter what are your reasons to move. You will have enough time to prepare mentally and to get all of your stuff ready. This is especially important if you’re moving to another state alone and you have to do all of this by yourself. Remember that procrastination is your enemy in this situation.

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Pack the Items You Don’t Use Frequently

Start preparing as soon as you know that you’re relocating, even if your move is in more than two months. You can do it by making a list of items that you surely won’t use and packaging them. That can be the books you’ve read, some figurines, off-season clothes, or whatever you decide. If you have a garage, guest rooms, or a basement, start from there since those are the places where we keep things that we seldom use, or the ones we keep and can’t get rid of because of sentimental reasons.

A couple packaging their belongings
Start small, slow, and early if you wish to do your packaging well

The Second of the Best Packing Tips for Moving Is to Stay Organized

The answer to how do I start packing to move is to begin with planning and organizing. All of this won’t turn out well if you don’t keep track of the tasks and events. You’ll soon have so many things on your mind like finding out how to get a job in a new city, or what do you need to rent an apartment, and how to set up your new utilities, just to name a few. The best way to follow through with all of this is to create a good moving to another state checklist from the beginning until the moment when you’re fully unpacked and starting your life in another state.

A Good Moving Binder Will Make Things So Much Easier

A relocation binder or a planner will be like your personal assistant for your move. It will help you to stay organized and focused while following your timeline of tasks and it will be a good reminder of how much you’ve spent and what is left on your moving budget. Depending on how big is your move and how soon it is, create a detailed list of things you have to do, buy, or sell, cross out the things you’ve finished, and enjoy watching your progress. Here’s a short video to show you how to create a good planner.

YouTube video

Decluttering Is a Crucial Part of Packing and Moving Tips

Everything will be much easier when you get rid of all unnecessary possessions. Maybe you want to get rid of your old appliances, and newer models will be on your new apartment checklist, or you just don’t want to use some stuff anymore. Whatever might be the case, get rid of that. Go through your home room by room and purge all of the stuff that won’t be needed anymore. Sell them online, donate to a charity organization, or simply throw them away if no one will have any use of those items. This will save you the money you’d spend on relocating these objects, and the time needed to properly protect them.

Creating an Inventory List After Purging Will Be Very Helpful

If you’re planning a big move and there are lots of stuff that you need safely shipped to your new home, you should make a list of the stuff you’re carrying. This is also a part of staying organized, but it can only be done after you’ve thrown out everything that you won’t take with you. Then you can write down all the stuff that will soon be packed and their worth. Remember to make several copies of that inventory list.

A girl sitting on a box at home holding a notebook and a pen
Knowing what you’re relocating will mean a lot if you want to stay in control of your move

What Is the Most Efficient Way to Pack for a Move?

Now that you’ve finished the previous steps, you can start packaging your possessions. Try this useful advice:

  • Wherever you start, make sure you finish one room before starting to pack the other.
  • Color code rooms and label packages with that specific color to know what’s inside of a package without opening it.
  • Cross out or tick packed objects on your inventory list to keep track of how much stuff is left.
  • You can write down on each box all that it contains for easier unpacking and keeping track of your move.
  • Organize your belongings and be sure that you’ve packed similar items together.
  • Each box should be full, but not overpacked.
  • Delicate but inexpensive objects should all be in small or medium boxes.
  • Pay special attention to breakable and valuable objects – pack and ship them in a separate box.
  • Leave all the packed stuff in one room or a corner so that they don’t stand in the way of stuff that is still on the list to get packed.
A man and a woman packaging their belongings
Try all the tricks that seem useful to you

Invest in the Best Boxes and Other Moving Supplies

Having high-quality supplies for packaging is a very good investment. It might cost a pretty penny to get all new supplies, but it’s worth it. You’ll know that your belongings are safe and that nothing can get damaged because some material didn’t serve its purpose. Other than that, you’ll find all sizes of many specially designed boxes for all kinds of household items. There are special ones for glasses, clothes, electronics, and other stuff you could be relocating. Here’s a list of packing supplies you’ll need (and be sure you get more than enough):

  • Different kinds and sizes of boxes,
  • Packing paper,
  • Bubble wrap,
  • Moving blankets,
  • Tape,
  • A permanent marker,
  • “Fragile” and “This side up” stickers.

Don’t Use Flimsy Boxes and Newspaper Instead of Original Supplies

There is a way to get cheaper materials and boxes and to save some money. If you opt for that, check out local stores and shops to see if they have some spare boxes and can you get them for free. If you notice that they’re flimsy, you’ll need to strengthen them up a bit. Tape more cardboard on the bottom and the walls of the box and use more tape after that, just to make sure that it’s sturdy enough. If you need a substitute for packing paper, it’s better to take soft and clean cotton materials than newspaper, since it might leave stains on your belongings.

Packaging material
Having good quality supplies also means that you'll have a less stressful move

Learn All the Tips for Packing to Move Each Specific Category of Items

Breakables, clothes, liquids, kitchen, electronics, and other stuff you’re relocating all have a special way of handling. If you want to have a less stressful move, you might want to take a look at how it’s done. Leave moving a piano to the experts if you don’t have previous experience, but all of the other hacks can be quickly learned and we promise you won’t hurt your back.

Try These Packing Tips for Moving Various Household Items

When it comes to packing dishes for moving, you have to pay attention that everything arrives in one piece, especially when packing fragile items. Remember to keep similar objects in one box and don’t overfill it.

All breakables should first be wrapped in a few sheets of paper, and then in bubble wrap. Electronics are also on this list, but they might require to be wrapped in moving blankets as well.

If there are any hollow parts of your breakable household objects, fill that space with crumpled papers, and voilà – you’ve learned how to pack glasses for moving.

When you’re packing plates for moving, which are also fragile and breakable, make sure you stack them vertically in a box that suits the diameter of the plates. Don’t pack big with small ones – bigger are also heavier and less breakable than the smaller and thinner ones.

If you’re packing pots and pans, you won’t require any special protection since they can’t get damaged easily. Just keep them away from porcelain figurines and other small and prone to breaking stuff.

You can pack shoes for moving in their original boxes if you still have them. If not, fill them with crumpled paper, wrap them in some more sheets, and put them in any kind of box with other pairs. Be sure to wash each pair before wrapping it.

A wine glass in bubble wrap
Different objects require different packaging method

Leave the Items You Will Need on Relocation Day Last

The final one of our tips for packing for a move and one of the important moving hacks is to make a list of stuff you’ll need on the day of relocating, and during the trip, while you don’t have access to your packed belongings. You can also single out the stuff you’ll require during the first day in your new home. Those will be:

  • Hygienic products,
  • First aid kit
  • Some clothes for changing,
  • Clean bedsheets,
  • Cleaning supplies,
  • Some non-perishable snacks and water bottles.
Personal stuff
Keep your essentials in a bag near you on the relocation day and know where it is all the time

Is it Worth Paying for Packing When Moving?

Are you having a dilemma should you hire long-distance movers to give you a hand with your belongings? Hiring a cross country moving company isn’t only getting

long-distance moving services, but also all other services you might require.

Professional cross country movers can also provide you with free packing service for all of your bigger household objects like furniture, electronics, and mirrors. They have top-notch boxes and packing supplies they will use to protect all your belongings, and you won’t pay a dime for that. A long-distance moving company can also offer you a full and partial pack, which do come for an additional cost, but it means that you won’t have to move a finger on the day of your move.

Long-distance moving services of a true customer dedicated company also include a free storage unit and moving insurance, as well as auto transport in case you require it. Call the best long distance movers near me and enjoy free packing services for all of your big possessions.

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