7 Tips To Make Packing Easier

You're ready to make a move, but your stuff is staring you in the face, silently mocking you. Packing up all your belongings is a daunting task, but there are ways to make your packing experience just a little easier. These seven easy tips will get you ready to pack with a vengeance.

Packing Tip #1: Don't procrastinate. This seems simple enough, but getting started can be difficult. A few weeks prior to your move, start packing several boxes a day. Begin with items that are least essential to your daily life. If you pace yourself, you will be more organized and the job won't be so overwhelming.

Packing Tip #2: Pack room-by-room. Focus on one area of a room at a time and don't mix items from different rooms in one box. To prevent miniature knickknacks and small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap them in brightly-colored tissue paper.

Packing Tip #3: Label clearly. On the top and side of each box, write a general description of the contents and the room name. Use different colored markers for each room, which will provide additional clarity for you and your movers.

Packing Tip #4: Stay clean. Regular newspaper may bleed ink onto your possessions. Use white packing paper to wrap all items.

Packing Tip #5: Use boxes designed for moving. Boxes obtained from grocery or liquor stores are not always clean and might not hold the weight of the items that you will be putting in them. In addition, varying box sizes can make loading more difficult.

Packing Tip #6: Know what you can't pack. Some common household items can't be shipped because they are hazardous. Don't wind up on the wrong side of the law. Read our list of what you can't put on the moving truck.

Packing Tip #7: Don't box up everything. You should personally transport heirlooms, important papers, legal documents (wills, passports. etc.), and valuables.

Other articles in our 8 step Moving Guide:

Step 1: Choose a Mover
Step 2: Do It Yourself Moving
Step 3: Packing it Up
Step 4: Declutter With a Great Garage Sale
Step 5: Transfer Your Utilities
Step 6: It's Moving Day
Step 7: Make Unpacking Fun
Step 8: Settle In

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