54 Moving Tips for a Stress-Free Relocation

Before the Move:

• 1. Pack a bag with all the essentials you’ll need for the first night in your new home.
  2. Pack the items you’ll need first in a clear plastic container.
  3. Use clothing to wrap breakable items like dishes and glasses to save on bubble wrap.
  4. Use clean socks to protect your glasses and stemware.
  5. Label your boxes with the contents and the room they belong to in your new home.
  6. Clean the bathroom and kitchen in your new home before moving in, if possible.
  7. Use cotton pads or balls to keep powder cosmetics from breaking.
  8. Cover the openings of toiletries with saran wrap before closing the lids.
  9. Pack plates vertically, like records, to reduce the chance of breakage.
  10. Keep drawers intact by covering them with Press’n Seal.
  11. Use Press’n Seal to protect jewelry displays.
  12. Purchase a roll of stretch wrap.
  13. Keep sandwich bags handy for holding small parts of items you need to disassemble, such as curtain rods or TV mounts.
  14. Use beer boxes to transport books, as they have handles on the sides.
  15. Take a photo of the connections of your electronics, so you can remember how to set them up in your new home.
  16. Minimize the number of boxes by using baskets, laundry bins, hampers, and suitcases.
  17. Quickly pack a closet by putting hanging clothes in a garbage bag.
  18. Vacuum seal your out-of-season clothing.
  19. Give friends who help you move first dibs on items you intended to sell or donate, along with food and alcohol.
  20. Make sure everything is packed before friends or movers arrive to help.
  21. Implement a color-coding system, using a different color for each room.
  22. Number your boxes for easy identification.
  23. Consider hiring movers for fragile valuables.
  24. Review the fine print when hiring movers and be aware of any odd rules.
  25. Take photos of your old and new home if you are renting.
  26. Fill nail holes in your previous home with a bar of soap.
  27. Consider shipping via Greyhound for cross-country moves.
  28. Update your address at least two weeks prior to moving.
  29. Start selling items on eBay, Etsy, or Craigslist at least six weeks before moving.
  30. Arrange for a charity organization to come to pick up the items you don’t want at least a week or two before moving.
  31. Make your last grocery trip two weeks prior to moving.
  32. For same-city moves, hire a sitter for children and pets.
  33. Remember to defrost your refrigerator at least a day before moving and wipe up any liquid.
  34. Pick the right moving day: Mid-week and not at the end of the month.
  35. Map out the best way to get to your new home.
  36. Create a master moving to-do list.
  37. Put moving tasks on your calendar.
  38. Get moving boxes from your local liquor store.
  39. Check to see if you have original boxes for your electronics.
  40. Grab extra packing and moving supplies.
  41. Schedule disconnect times.
  42. Pack decorative items a few weeks out.
  43. Change your address a week before you move.
  44. Use small boxes for heavy items.
  45. Protect fragile items with packing paper, bubble wrap, or blankets.
  46. Pack dishes vertically.
  47. Cover the tops of toiletry bottles with Saran Wrap.
  48. Pack a personal overnight bag.
  49. Stop buying groceries a week before you leave.
  50. Take pictures of your electronics wire system.
  51. Put your storage bins and luggage to use.
  52. Make copies of important papers.
  53. Set aside cleaning supplies for moving day.
  54. Load boxes from the same rooms together.