Moving can be a very complicated process. If you do not get every step right, quite a few things could go wrong. You could forget or misplace some items or have some get damaged while in transit. One of the ways you can ensure that the likelihood of any harm coming to your items is brought to the minimum is by making sure to have all the supplies you need from the beginning.
With the right supplies, you will be able to handle every stage of the process safely and efficiently, from arranging your home and preparing your items for the trip to boxing them and getting them in the vehicle. Here is a comprehensive list of all the items you will need:
✅ Boxes – These are the first things that come to most people’s minds when they think of moving, and that is for a good reason. Good boxes are integral to a well-executed moving plan. Many people simply pick up used boxes from nearby stores or around the house but that is not ideal. You should try to get new cardboard boxes or rent plastic moving boxes to be able to keep all your items securely. New cardboard boxes or plastic boxes will be more rigid and able to withstand the stress of being carried around and jostled with other items in the truck. You will also be able to stack them without being afraid that they’ll collapse (as long as you don’t overload them).
✅ Plastic Wrap – You can use any kind of plastic wrap but be sure you have enough to give the items that need it a full wrap. For instance, plastic wrap is great for making sure that a stack of plates does not shift around, as well as with other similarly fragile items. You can also use it to secure bottles to make sure nothing spills, along with myriad other uses.
✅ Cushioning Material – If you are going to be moving items that are fragile such as ceramic dishes or small, sensitive electronics, you would be best served by having them cushioned inside the boxes. This will ensure that even if the ride gets bumpy, they will be insulated from the shock and be less likely to break or get damaged in any way. Bubble wrap is a very common solution, and it works well, especially when you have items that are not shaped uniformly. Foam wrap sheets can also come in very handy and if you are really looking to save money, you can even use old newspapers. Just squeeze them rightly and make sure they provide a tight cushion in the box. You have to be aware, however, that newspaper won’t be nearly as effective as other options so it should be a last resort.
✅ Labelling Materials – One of the best ways to make your moving experience as smooth as possible is to label and arrange the boxes and items very efficiently. This way, it would be very easy for you to find any particular item or box of items when it’s time to unpack, instead of having to rummage through many boxes to find the one you need. Some people like to do it the simple way – simply writing on the boxes. If you want to do this, then all you will need is a marker. You can also use a market on masking tape. If you want to be a bit more elaborate or if you have quite a lot of boxes to sort out, you can have color-coded notes and or get purpose-made moving labels. One thing to keep in mind is that you should label the boxes on multiple sides so you can easily find what you need even if a box gets turned another way.
✅ Cleaning Supplies – It is best to clean all your items before you move. You do not want to be taking dirty stuff into your new home, and you’ll need a variety of cleaning supplies for that. From detergent to garbage bags, brooms, and buckets, be sure to evaluate what items you need to clean and get all the supplies you will need to do a thorough job. You can even repurpose some of the cleaning supplies as you move. For instance, the garbage bags can play the role of plastic wrap in a tight situation, and you can simply take what you do not finish to your new home for use there.
✅ Straps and Rope – If you are moving heavy, unwieldy items like a refrigerator, you will particularly need this. Those items can fall over and damage a lot of other items, so you must ensure that they are secured to the side of the moving truck. The exact kind of straps or rope that you will need will be dependent on what items you need to secure but as a general rule, err on the side of thicker, stronger straps or ropes.
✅ Furniture Cover and Pads – The items of furniture in your home are likely to be some of the most expensive, so it makes sense that you should do everything you can to specially protect them as you move. You can slide plastic covers over your furniture to keep dust, liquids, and other extraneous material away from them, but if you want to protect them fully, you will need to get furniture pads. The furniture pads are designed to be shock-absorbers of sorts, absorbing any impact, and preventing damage to your furniture. Many moving agencies allow you to rent furniture pads, and it is an option you should certainly take.
✅ Moving Dollies – Using a dolly or a hand truck is a great way to transport a lot of items safely and efficiently. You minimize the energy spent on carrying the items from your home to the moving truck and from the moving truck to your new home. The benefits are particularly visible if you are going to be moving very large and heavy items. A refrigerator for instance. Without a dolly, you may need a few people to join in moving it but a dolly will drastically reduce how much manpower you need while still ensuring that the process is completed efficiently and with minimal risk of injury to anyone, or of damage to the items.