Make Packing for a Move Easier: Tips from Your St. Louis Unpacking and Organizing Experts
by Susan Stewart, St. Louis Professional Organizer | May 4, 2017
Are you facing a move in the near future or know someone who is? Moving can be exciting but also overwhelming, which is why we’ve put together these packing tips to simplify the process for you. For hands-on help in St. Louis, Perfectly Placed Organization & Design offers professional packing, unpacking, and organizing services to make your move smooth and stress-free. Contact us to help you pack, organize your move, or unpack and organize your new home—so you can settle in with ease.
Locating boxes. If your moving company is not providing the boxes or you are making a local move, you have a couple of options for obtaining supplies. Many moving companies offer used boxes for a reduced price or free. You can also find used boxes in your area on websites like freecycle.com or nextdoor.com. Lastly, grocery stores and liquor stores give away free boxes. Grocery stores typically unpack supplies in the morning, so get there early before they have already recycled them.
Order matters. You don’t want to start the packing process with your kitchen or you won’t be able to eat and serve meals for a week or longer. Begin with storage areas and closets that don’t get used as often. If you don’t anticipate a smooth transition from one home to the next or if space to store packed boxes is minimal, consider renting a PODS storage unit to hold boxes as you pack them. Order also matters within each box. Heavier items (like books) should be packed in small boxes or on the bottom only of larger boxes or they will get too heavy to lift. Lighter and delicate items should be placed near the top of boxes or in larger boxes.
Tricks of the trade. Plates should be packed on their sides, not flat. Placing a foam plate between each one and then wrapping a pack in paper gives good protection. Use Glad Press & Seal to keep items in divided trays (think silverware drawer). Items stored in furniture drawers can stay put. To keep drawers from opening, wrap your furniture with stretch wrap film. Hanging clothing can be left on hangers. Use a trash bag and punch a hole in the bottom with your fingers. Place a group of hangers (10-15) through the hole to create a makeshift garment bag out of the trash bag. Place a second bag on the bottom of the clothing and pull up. The two bags can be sealed with packing tape to protect your clothing. Hanging clothing packs stack nicely on the back seat of a car or on top of boxes in the truck.
Labeling is important. Whether you label the boxes with the room they should go to, the room they came from or the contents of the box, the key is to stay consistent. If movers will be carrying in the boxes, they are going to be looking for writing that tells them which room your box will go to. Signs on bedroom doors will help them know where to bring the boxes. Labeling things like curtain rods, hooks & nails for hanging things, cords & cables will also be a lifesaver on the other end. If your electronics cords scare you, take a picture of how they are all hooked up before you unhook and pack them. It’s also wise to backup your computer before unhooking. It may be awhile before it is hooked back up to your backup drive.
Pack for your trip. If you are moving across country, you will need to pack for the travel days to your destination. I recommend packing for more days than expected, just in case. Moving vans are notorious for arriving late and sometimes boxes don’t get unpacked immediately. You will also want to put together an emergency folder to have with you in the car. Vital records, bills to pay, moving company information and to-do lists can be stored here. Lastly, pack an essentials box with items you will need right away when you move in (toilet paper, paper plates, cutlery, coffee, etc).
If the idea of going through this process has you breaking into hives, let us help. Perfectly Placed Organization & Design specializes in unpacking and organizing services for St. Louis residents. Give us a call NOW and we can discuss your move and how our team can make settling into your new home easy and organized.
