In the eight years between 2005 and 2013, nearly six million people moved to Texas from around the world. If you’re coming to the Lone Star State, too, you need to know the best moving and packing hacks to make your life easier.
We’ve put together some tried-and-true moving and packing shortcuts that work well for big and small moves.
Check them out and be prepared for just about anything your move brings.
1. Keep Your Clothes in Drawers
Why spend time unloading clothes from your drawers when you could leave them where they are? Take each drawer out, and cover it with plastic wrap or shrink wrap to make sure your items don’t move around in transit.
2. Make Use of Your Suitcases
Everyone has luggage at home. Be certain yours doesn’t leave the house unpacked during your move. Have tons of books to transfer from house to house? Rolling suitcases are the perfect solution!
3. Label Your Boxes on the Side
Everyone seems to label their boxes on the top, but labeling each side of each box makes more sense. When stacked on top of one another, you can see where the boxes belong with a glance. Labels on the sides of the boxes will also help your professional movers know where everything belongs.
4. Put Seasonal Decorations in Plastic Storage Bins
Have Christmas ornaments, July Fourth decorations, or other seasonal items? Instead of cardboard boxes, place them in plastic bins. That way, you can keep them safely in storage until you need them.
5. Make Bottles of Toiletries Spill-Proof
Who wants to wind up with shampoo and conditioner all over the place? Unscrew the tops of your toiletry bottles, lay down a piece of plastic wrap, and then re-screw the top. Your bottles won’t leak during transit.
6. Turn Garbage Bags into Foolproof Garment Bags
For clothes on hangers, simply pull a garbage bag around groups of up to 10 items. Poke the curved hanger top through the bag, and instantly move them without any trouble. Be sure to remove the plastic when you get your clothes in their new closets, so no moisture builds and causes fabric issues.
7. Stand Plates Vertically
Most people who are moving and packing stack their dinner, dessert, salad, and bread plates horizontally. However, standing them on end vertically — with dishrags, bubble wrap, or another buffer in between in each — makes them less likely to break.
8. Make Use of Your Smartphone Camera
Before you take apart any electronic equipment that has complicated wiring, always snap a picture of the hook-ups. You can use the image in your new home when you rewire everything.
9. Double-Box Fragile Treasures
Anything breakable deserves some extra TLC. Instead of single-boxing those special trinkets and treasures, double-box them instead. Just put them in smaller boxes, and then place the smaller boxes in larger boxes that can absorb any jostling.
10. Store Hardware in Labeled Baggies
From table leg screws to picture hangers, you’re going to end up with hardware on your hands when you move. Store all the pieces in baggies, and be sure to label the baggies using a permanent marker.
Get One Step Closer to Streamlined Moving and Packing
Keep these tips and tactics in mind the next time a move is in your future. The more you plan, the better your experience will be.
Want to learn other moving insights? Check out our “how to” videos.