Surviving Moving Day
Moving soon? Are you ready? After countless moves, I’ve learned a lot about the process. Recently I helped my son and daughter-in-law move from one apartment to another. We did some of these things. We wished we had done all of them:
Get help! If you’re planning to rent a truck and do your own hauling, make sure you have plenty of able-bodied friends to help. Also, if you’re moving during spring or summer, consider reserving the moving van plenty of time in advance.
Keep your tool kit handy. You will need screwdrivers, measuring tape, box cutters, scissors, etc. Add some bungee cords and extension cords to this kit, too.
Beg, borrow, steal, or rent a lot of moving blankets. These will save your furniture from scratching. Plan at least one for every piece of solid furniture.
The MVP of safe moving is plastic wrap. The moving companies will sell it to you in a giant spool. Very important! Cover your tables, dressers, bookshelves, etc., with a moving blanket, then secure the blanket by tightly winding several layers of plastic wrap around it. The plastic will stick to itself and keep the furniture safely wrapped. This is the best way to keep furniture from nicks and scrapes. You can also wrap furniture to keep drawers from sliding out and cabinet doors from flying open.
Label boxes with a Sharpie. Write the destination room in the new place (kitchen, bedroom, etc.) on top along with a brief description of the contents.
Pack heavy items in smaller boxes. They will be easier to lift/carry and less likely to be dropped. When packing fragile items, wrap them completely in paper or bubblewrap or fabric. Then wedge paper between the items in the box until nothing can slide around. Tape the box firmly shut and give it a shake to be certain nothing is moving. Label “Fragile” on the box.
Wrap bottles and containers of liquid separately and pack in a plastic tote or tub. Transport these in one of your cars. You don’t want a broken bottle of olive oil anointing all of your furniture in the back of the moving van.
Pack some toilet paper, paper towel, and hand soap where you can find and unpack it immediately. The new place may not have any, and you’re going to need it!
Pack fresh bedding for your bed separately and transport it in your car or someplace where it can immediately be found once you arrive at your new place. Ask someone to make up your bed once the frame and mattress are in place. By the end of the day, you will be exhausted and happy to crawl into your freshly made bed!
Plan plenty of time. Packing things is slow work. Loading the moving van takes a lot more time and thought than unloading. Loading requires strategy to use the space in the van to the best advantage and to secure items during transit.
Designate one helper to be the errand person. She can pick up missing supplies and pick up lunch for your crew. Also stock up on water bottles to keep everyone hydrated.
Have reasonable expectations. You can’t control every part of your move. Items may get damaged, the schedule may not fit together, and people may be irritable. In the end, save your relationships – they’re worth more than your furniture.