No one really enjoys moving. While the idea of living in a new space can be exciting, the actual moving part of it is really unenjoyable. It’s a lot of work and takes up considerable time. One of the most difficult aspects of moving is all of the packing that needs to be done. To help you make your packing a lot easier and more efficient, consider these six packing hacks and tips.
Utilize Your Shoes
If you happen to have a lot of shoes, then you have little packing areas at your disposal. Your shoes are an excellent way to stuff smaller items within them to limit the risk of loss. Jewelry, batteries, even bottles, can be stuffed inside of your shoes for safekeeping. Not only will the shoe offer physical protection, but they can also then be stored within a shoebox for easy retrieval later.
Roll Your Clothes
Your mother likely told you to carefully fold your clothes in order to keep them from wrinkling. Those were lies. Instead of folding, you should roll your shirts and clothes. Not only does this save space in your boxes—and thus offer more space for items to be packed in—but it also keeps your clothes from being wrinkled. This will help you transition from the moving process to your new life in your new space. It doesn’t hurt to pack a few things in your rolled shirts either. Things like silverware, jewelry, or other small objects are perfect for this.
Utilize Your Boxes
To make unpacking quick and easy, make finding and getting into your possessions as easy as you can. Start by labeling each box with the room its contents will belong in. For example, if you intend to fill a box with dishes, make sure the outside says, “Kitchen.” Before closing each box, make a list of its contents and tape or write it on the outside of the box. This will allow you to find what you’re looking for without opening anything. To ensure an easy-open process, place some string under your box’s tape when closing it. This hack allows you to open each box quickly without knives or scissors. If you take advantage of your packing boxes from the beginning, unpacking can be a breeze.
Protect Your Silverware with Socks
Instead of making the extra purchase of packing peanuts, you should simply store your delicate items like silverware or fragile dishes into your socks. It’s a good idea to make sure that your socks are clean first, of course. However, it’s a good idea to wash all your dishes when unpacking them anyway. Starting off knowing you have a clean slate—and dishes—will help you create a positive space in your new home. You can stuff quite a good amount of silverware and other cooking instruments into those socks before it gets too full. You can store the socks with ease and find them later for unpacking.
Cling Wrap
If socks aren’t your thing, then perhaps you should go the cling wrap route to keep your silverware all in one place. For those who have a holder, you can easily cling wrap your silverware right into the holder. Who wants to actually remove every piece of silverware, anyway? Keeping everything in one place instead of having to track down a bunch of individual pieces will help cut down your unpacking time.
Don’t Be Afraid to Outsource
Packing can be difficult and stressful and downright annoying. However, if you don’t mind people helping you out, hiring a company could be the ultimate packing hack. Many moving companies will help you with the packing part of the moving process. Be sure to research local companies as well as bigger companies. This will help you ensure the unique housing features in your area will be safely navigated and prepared for before any piece of furniture or box is picked up. For example, movers in NJ will know the ins and outs of moving belongings up and down narrow apartment building staircases better than a nationwide company that typically just moves in and out of single family homes on the ground level.
Moving and packing can be torturous. Remember to prepare, be detailed, and ask for help when needed. With these six hacks at your fingertips, you can make it easy and stress-free instead.
