Tips on How to Pack for Your Next Move
When it comes to moving from one property to another, there are a lot of things to think about and prepare for. Transporting your possessions requires a lot of organisation and careful planning. And this is especially true when it comes to packing up all of your belongings and deciding what you will take with you and what you'll be leaving behind.
If you've never had to pack up and move before, it can be quite daunting. Add that to the thought of not knowing what’s waiting for you in your new house once you’ve moved in. But moving isn’t always a hassle. Not if you are equipped with the right knowledge about helpful moving tips and packing advice from your most trusted movers in South Australia.
Here at Aussiemove, we aim at giving tips and advice from our professionals that can help make the process easier as well as ensure that everything is ready to go in advance of your move. So, without further ado: let's dive right in!
5 Useful Packing Tips
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who enjoy packing their own things and those who don't. If you know in your heart which camp you fit into, then the only thing left to do is decide whether you’ll hire a moving company to do it for you or you'd rather pack yourself.
If you choose the latter, then it might be best to take note of these 5 useful packing tips for a seamless moving experience.
Start packing as early as you can. The earlier, the better, because this way you'll have a clearer idea of what’s needed before you need to be out on the road. This will also allow for more preparation time to make sure everything is in order before you start loading up your car or truck.
Divide your belongings into categories of rooms where they belong. These may include bathroom, kitchen, pantry, living room, and bedrooms. This will help keep the boxes organised and make it easier to unpack at the other end as well.
Small boxes should be used for heavy items such as books and big boxes should contain light belongings such as pillows and sheets. Heavier boxes are easier to carry if they come in small sizes as compared to big ones.
As much as possible, mix all the things from a room in the same box and these boxes should be labelled with a list of the contents inside each and the room in which each box should be placed in your new home.
Ornaments and glassware are among the most difficult belongings to pack because they may break due to incorrect handling and packing. In this case, special packaging materials like bubble wrap and packing airbags should be used to prevent them from getting damaged during transit.
For smaller items, wrap them completely with bubble wrap to prevent them from dislodging from the box. For bulkier items, rest them on top of packing airbags and make sure they do not come in contact with one another. Put crumpled paper or small pieces of a carton in between to secure each item.
If you have antiques or collectibles to transport, it’s best to hire our professional removalists to do the packing for you.
Clothes make up a big part of your belongings and if you do not pack them properly, it may be a hassle to pack and even unpack once you arrive at your new home. The best way to organise your clothes is by folding and rolling them neatly to avoid creasing and to save space to accommodate more items.
For hanging clothes, a garbage bag or plastic cover may be used to protect your items from stains and damage during transport. Use thick threads to tie the top of the hangers together to carry them easily toward the vehicle.
As for your footwear, make sure excess dirt and debris are removed before packing them in individual shoe bags. Seal them properly and place the more sturdy ones at the bottom of the box and the lighter ones on top.
While you are packing up, take time to do some decluttering. This means leaving behind the things you really don’t need to bring to your new house. They can go either straight to the dump or be stored in a storage facility for future use.
But if you are far from being a minimalist, you may have some trouble thinking about which belongings will make it to your boxes. Fortunately, we have some ‘decluttering rules’ that might work for you when it comes to deciding which items to take with you.
- 20/20 rule: If you are doubting whether to keep something or throw it away, remember the 20/20 rule, which means if it costs around $20 and would only take 20 minutes for you to get a new one, then let it go.
- 5 by 5 rule: The 5 by 5 rule applies to belongings that may or may not be beneficial in the long run. It says that if a particular item won’t matter 5 years from now, no need to waste 5 minutes of time thinking about decluttering it.
- 90/90 rule: Whenever you’re having a hard time deciding whether to keep something or let it go, use the 90/90 rule. Remember if you’ve used that for the past 90 days and ask yourself if you will be needing that in the next 90 days. If your answer is no, then there’s no room for it in one of your boxes.
You may choose one of these rules and live by it even after you’ve moved in to maintain a clutter-free house for the rest of your life.
Friendly Reminders Before Moving from Your Most Trusted Removalists
Now you’re all packed and ready to go, so you feel like you’ve accomplished most of it. But the hardest part is actually getting to your new property. So, to make your move a little bit easier, we've compiled some friendly reminders for you to take note of.
- Secure and keep all your moving documents in one place. Bringing these with you in once you move to your next property should be your topmost priority.
- If you are moving with your pet, make sure you’ve checked and followed the regulations on pet transport before your arrival. Consider the comfort and safety of your pet during transport by providing a sturdy container with enough food and water until you reach your destination.
- Choose to hire moving vehicles with ramps to easily load furniture and appliances. Otherwise, hire professional removalists to safely handle and transport these bulky items.
- Some items are prohibited to transport locally and internationally. Check with your removal service provider which belongings are allowed for them to transport via land, water, or air.
- Create a checklist of the things you need to do before leaving your old house. Make sure you settle all your bills, dispose of all your rubbish, and turn off all electrical fixtures and gas stoves. For a more comprehensive list, you may use this AFRA Moving Guide Kit and make sure to tick everything before you move to your next home sweet home.
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