Our Expert Moving Tips & Tricks
Things To Know Before You Move Out
- Try to make sure the bathroom and kitchen at your new place is all cleaned up before you start moving in.
- Rather than throwing unwanted items in storage (or even the dump), look into donating said items instead! Make sure to ask for a receipt too to claim a tax deduction.
- Plan your meals for the next 2-4 weeks around all the leftover, perishable, or frozen food you have stored in your refrigerators and freezers. Also look into donating your nonperishable foods to Move for Hunger!
- Make sure to update your address for all of your accounts, subscriptions, and utilities long before the day you move in.
- Get an estimate for numerous moving-related services to find the best deal before you settle for a higher price!
- Measure ALL of your furniture. If you can’t fit a piece of furniture in your new living space, donate it!
If You’re Looking To Get Your Deposit Back
- Take photos of your previous place as you move out, and take photos of your new place when you move in.
- Get stains out of the carpet by using a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water. Throw a little bit of lemon essential oil into the mixture, shake lightly and spray the area- leave it for about a minute. Scrub away and you’re set!
- Use ice cubes to remove any dents your furniture left behind in the carpet. Place ice cubes in the dents and let them melt, then lift the fibers with a spoon.
- Wrapping a rubberband around a hammer can help eliminate scuffs on the wall when removing nails.
- Get rid of scuff marks on hardwood floors by cutting a hole in a tennis ball, then put the tennis ball on the end of a broom and rub the scuff mark out until it’s gone!
- Fill holes in your wall left by nails through the use of toothpaste, white Ivory soap, or other items.
Save Time And Money Efficiently
- Check in with local retailers and businesses to see if they have any spare, used boxes in usable condition.
- Try using magazines and newspaper to pack fragile items instead of packing peanuts. Be careful of the ink!
- Use socks for glasses and and stemware to keep them extra safe.
- Consider using trash cans/bins, suitcases and laundry baskets as boxes.
- Use pans and pots to store spice containers, dish towels, etc. to save space when packing your kitchen.
- Remove rancid smells and various leaks from your refrigerator by defrosting your fridge the night prior to moving.
- When moving your refrigerator, wrap your refrigerator/freezer in plastic to keep the doors shut while moving.
- When disassembling furniture, store all the screws and hardware in a plastic bag, then tape the bag to the furniture. Or use a box instead, and label the box to the appropriate piece of furniture.
- Keep all of your boxes organized using colored packing tape. Also make sure to label each box to each appropriate room!
- Instead of bubble wrap, use clothing and linens to protect your dishes and various other fragile items.
Genius Packing Hacks
- Take note of the back of your TV (or other devices) by taking a picture of all the cables, so you know what goes where when setting your TV back up.
- Wrap any electronic wires through paper towel rolls to prevent tangled messes.
- To prevent getting locked out of your house, wrap a rubber band around one door knob, then wrap it across to the other door knob to keep the door from locking.
- To keep your jewelry from getting tangled and in knots, put your jewelry in separate dimples of an egg carton.
- To keep pots and lids together, use rubber bands or any other strap(s).
- To prevent plates from breaking during transit, stack the plates vertically and put Styrofoam between each plate.
- Use a box cutter to create handles for your boxes.
- Use cotton balls for makeup compacts to prevent them from breaking.
- Stick any kitchen knives inside an oven mitt to cover and prevent injuries during transit.
Things To Do On Moving Day
- Pick up easy breakfast foods (such as cereal/milk) so that there’s food available to eat the next morning.
- Pack items that you’ll need the soonest in an “open first” box. These items include things like bedding, towels, hand soap, etc.
- Keep a box out with snacks and water to stay energized during the moving process.
- Make sure to keep valuables, like your Social Security Card, with you the entire moving day.
- Keep all your essentials in an overnight bag for moving day to avoid rummaging through boxes to find these things.