Moving soon? It can feel like the to-do list only grows and grows when this life milestone comes up. The process of packing alone can seem like a never-ending task. Rest assured though, that while it may seem daunting, there is an end in sight! And by breaking the packing process down into smaller steps it gets all the more manageable. Keep reading to see the best packing tips and helpful moving tips that we’ve compiled to improve and optimize your packing and moving experience.
Create a Plan & Timeline Before You Start Packing
Start with your move date and then work backwards. Once you know the date that you need to have everything out of your current home, build your timeline in reverse and the plan will lay itself out much easier. Take time to consider what else is on your schedule around the time of your move.
Also, take stock of how many rooms you have to pack and estimate how long it will take you to pack each room. The kitchen or kids’ rooms may need considerably more time than a dining room or living room that is mostly just large furniture, for example. Then, form your plan of what to pack and calendar of when to pack, so you can get everything organized without a stressful, last-minute scramble as the moving truck arrives. Read on for some of our most helpful packing tricks and moving tips!
General Packing Tips
Here are some helpful packing tips to keep in mind as you prepare your home for a move.
- Group your items in boxes by room.
- Think about how heavy a box will be as you pack. That way, you don’t end up with a box that’s too heavy to carry or that can’t hold the weight of what you’re packing.
- Label each box with the room that it belongs in. You can even add a brief description of what is inside the box. That way you know which room each box should go in when unloading and you can easily find what you need when you get into your new home.
- Make sure to carefully wrap any fragile items in paper, bubble wrap, or even towels to keep them from breaking.
- Pack items tightly in boxes so they won’t bounce around against each other and break during transit.
- Use heavy-duty moving tape to tape your boxes up well. Especially the bottom of boxes that will contain your heaviest items.
- Pack a few “open-first” boxes with cleaning supplies, a box opener, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, a few sets of clothes, toiletries, and anything else you’ll need in the first 24 hours in your new place.
What to Pack First When Moving
Begin by packing things that you won’t need before your moving date. While it may make sense to start in the daunting kitchen cabinets, what are you going to eat off of for the weeks before your move when your plates are all in boxes?
Instead, consider items like holiday decorations or out-of-season clothing, spare towels and sheets, serving dishes, party supplies, books, games, and other items you can live without for a few weeks.
Leave certain clothes, kitchen staples, toiletries and medicine, cleaning supplies, basic tools, and other everyday items for last.
Current CPI Customer on the Move?
If you are a CPI customer thinking about moving or in the process of a move, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your next home. Block out a time to call us and ask about our comprehensive Movers Program. We offer exclusive discounts and upgrades for your new home security system that is only available to current customers. The process is easy and our experts make it as stress-free as possible.
- Give us a call at (866) 460-0745.
- We’ll learn a bit about your new place and make some recommendations.
- We’ll set up your new home with the latest smart and security technology when you move in to keep you protected as soon as possible!
How to Pack Clothes, Closets, and Accessories
Packing Tips for Clothes for Moving
Wardrobe boxes can seem like a big investment, but they are worth it for the simplicity of packing closets full of outfits. Just take the clothes, hangers and call, and hang them directly on the rod that is installed in the wardrobe box. Keep in mind, these boxes can be more expensive, large, and challenging to move.
If wardrobe boxes aren’t an option for you, you can take a large trash bag, pull it up over a section of hanging clothes, and then tie the drawstring tightly right underneath the hook of the hanger.
How to Pack Jewelry for Moving
The key to packing jewelry is to keep it from getting lost or tangled. Here are a few helpful ideas for packing necklaces and other jewelry for your move.
- Invest in a jewelry box or even a plastic tackle box with dividers and a lid and pack all your earrings in it.
- Take a piece of cardboard, such as an empty cereal box, and use it to organize your earrings. Just poke them through one side and attach the back of the earring to the other.
- Thread necklaces or bracelets through straws and then clasp them to keep them from tangling.
- Alternately, for larger pieces or multiple pieces of jewelry, use toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes and tape the jewelry in place.
- Take a large sheet of packing paper, tape a necklace to one end, then start folding or rolling it up from that end. Every few inches or after each fold, tape a new necklace to the paper and continue rolling or folding until you have a neat paper packet full of untangled necklaces!
How to Pack Hangers
Pack your clothes on the hanger whenever possible! Otherwise, hangers can be packed in a box or heavy-duty bag. To keep them organized and try to keep them from getting tangled up, try stacking and tying them together.
How to Pack Shoes to Move
Box up nicer pairs of shoes individually, especially if you kept their original boxes. You can then put each of those individual boxes into a larger moving box. For all other shoes, you can stuff socks inside to help them hold their shape, wrap them in packing paper, and place them in a box.
How to Pack Kitchen Items for Moving
The Best Way to Pack Glasses
Wrap all glasses, cups, and mugs in paper, foam sheets, or bubble wrap before packing them tightly in boxes. Take care not to leave too much space between items to prevent them from moving within the box and breaking. You can stuff packing paper or towels between items if needed. There are also special moving kits available for packing glasses.
The Best Way to Pack Dishes & China for a Move
Like glasses, you can use paper, foam, or bubble wrap between each piece and then pack tightly in a box. To help prevent shifting and breaking in the box during transit, try to not leave much space between items by using packing paper or towels to fill empty space. You can purchase special moving kits made specifically for your dishes.
Packing Tips for Your Pots & Pans
Boxes of pots and pans can get heavy very quickly. Consider packing several smaller boxes rather than one large box of pots and pans. Wrap your pots and pans, and their lids, in packing paper or other packing materials for added cushioning.
Packing Furniture for Moving Tips
How to Pack a Mattress
Because of its size and shape, packing a mattress can be a bit awkward. It is important to keep it flat during your move. For protection during the moving process, lightweight mattress bags are available. Be sure to avoid using heavy plastics as they can trap moisture.
How to Wrap & Pack a TV
It is a good idea moving forward to save your original TV box and packing material to make the moving process much easier as that is by far the best set of tools for the job. If you don’t have the original box, you can purchase special heavy-duty adjustable boxes specifically for TVs (or artwork) that come with all the materials you need to safely wrap, pad, and package your television.
How to Pack Lamps for a Move
It is a good idea moving forward to save your original TV box and packing material to make the moving process much easier as that is by far the best set of tools for the job. If you don’t have the original box, you can purchase special heavy-duty adjustable boxes specifically for TVs (or artwork) that come with all the materials you need to safely wrap, pad, and package your television.
How to Pack Artwork for Moving
Smaller pieces of artwork can be wrapped in paper and put in a moving box. For larger pieces of art, you’ll want to purchase a special, heavy-duty box to keep it secured and protected during the move.
Other Packing Tips for Miscellaneous Items
Packing Tips for Books When Moving
Like pots and pans, books can make moving boxes very heavy, very quickly! Stick to packing books in small boxes to make them easy to carry out of your old house and into the new.
How to Pack Pillows
Before you pack pillows in boxes, put them in a plastic bag or wrap them in plastic wrap to keep them protected. Remember that you can also use pillows as packing material to fill spaces in other boxes and help protect your other items in transit.
How to Pack Plants for a Move
Plants should be among the final items you pack. Place each plant in a large plastic bag to contain the dirt, then put the plant in a box. You may need quite a few boxes, as you likely won’t be able to put more than one or two plants in each box.
Use packing materials to secure the plants as well as possible and ensure they don’t shift within the box. If you can tape the plant to the box without hurting it, this may keep it even more secure.
The Best Way to Pack a Moving Truck
Here are a few moving tips to keep in mind as you pack a moving truck.
- Make sure you have a dolly and moving blankets on hand before you begin.
- For better weight distribution, pack heavy items first toward the cab of the truck and on the sides of the truck.
- Turn large furniture, such as couches and headboards, upright to avoid taking up valuable floor space.
- Pack things tightly against each other so they can’t shift and move during transit. Use moving straps and tuck moving blankets between items for a tighter fit.
- Roll up rugs and secure them with plastic wrap so they take up less space.
- Whether you ask your friends or hire movers, enlist help to carry furniture and boxes. Not only will this be more convenient and speed up the process, it is safer and helps prevent overexertion and potential injury.
Remember: If you are a current CPI customer on the move, call us at (866) 460-0745 to take advantage of the CPI Movers Program! Our moving experts will help ensure your new home is protected from Day 1, and you’ll receive exclusive discounts and upgrades on smart devices and security equipment.
From all of us at CPI Security, best of luck packing and happy moving!
