Packing up your precious things and exposing them to the risk of damage is not appealing, right? However, moving is one of those unavoidable events you might face at least once in your life, no matter how much you dread it. Figuring out where to begin and sorting out things can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to this task. While it might not exactly be fun, it does not have to be stressful! Your success at making your journey smooth depends on avoiding packing mistakes, whether the packing is for the moving day or storage before or after the move. Where efficient packing will ensure hassle-free transport of your items and convenient unpacking, it will also promise the durability of your items while they are in storage. So if you are anxious about displacing your items, here are some tips to save your day.
Protect Your Items from the Outside Environment
Moving long distances or storing items for extended periods can compromise their integrity if you are not careful in protecting them against unfavorable weather. Extremes of temperature can damage your electrical appliances, while wet and humid weather can induce mold growth in items prone to absorbing moisture. So if you live in a city with muggy summers and wet winters, such as the city of Terrell in Texas, you should make arrangements to protect your items from damage. One way to do so is to rent a climate-controlled facility for storing your belongings. So if you are moving to Terrell or already live there, you can search for the best Terrell TX storage units and choose one with all the suitable facilities.
However, if you have to pack things for moving day or want to rent out a non-climate-controlled facility, you can always use some life-saving hacks! Ensure that the items for storage are dry, especially the blankets, clothes, and rugs. Expose them to plenty of sunlight and pack them in air-tight plastic bins to keep the moisture away. Also, place your clothes in garment bags before putting them in wardrobe boxes. Dismantle large furniture and equipment before moving or storing. If the exposure to heat or cold causes certain parts to expand and contract, the damage will be lesser this way. You can always reassemble them once you get to your new house or retrieve them from the storage facility.
Pare Down Your Belongings
Are you dreading packing up a seemingly never-ending list of items? You don’t have to! Moving houses is a perfect opportunity to declutter your home thoroughly. Get rid of the old books you have long forgotten and those clothes you will not wear again. Also, say goodbye to the furniture you don’t think will fit into your new house. Likewise, create a list of items you need to store instead of tossing every unneeded thing in a storage facility. Since you will be renting out the storage space, ensure that the items you choose are worth paying for. So be ruthless and sell or donate the unneeded things and save yourself time, energy, and money of transporting and storing them.
Clean the Items Thoroughly Before Packing
Cleaning your items before moving or storing them will improve their condition and reset all the positive energy for you! The last thing you will want is to adorn your new house with uncleaned items. Likewise, moving your items to a storage facility without cleaning can cause pest and mold infestation, leaving your items to stink with a musty, mildewy odor. So before you roll away your belongings, wipe all the dirt and make them spick and span.
Consider dry-cleaning your carpets, rugs, and blankets and ensure they are moisture-free before packing them. Leaving damp items in a storage facility can fester unpleasant odors, especially if it is not climate-controlled. If not dry cleaning, vacuuming will also do the job. You can use cleaning sprays, detergent, or disinfectant wipes for your household equipment.
Invest in Packing Materials
Whether you are getting the services of professional movers or DIY’ing to save money, good quality packing materials are a must-have for a hassle-free move and storage of your items. While you can always get free cardboard boxes from your family and work, these old and used boxes will be more prone to tearing apart, especially if exposed to moisture. So invest in good quality boxes specifically for moving and storing your items.
Likewise, get wrapping materials, such as packing paper or bubble wrap, and cushion your more fragile items. To seal your boxes securely, purchase high-quality, pressure-sensitive tape and add multiple layers at the top and bottom of every box. When prepping your items for storage, consider using clear plastic boxes to have a clear view of your belongings when you visit the storage unit and retrieve the required thing directly.
Pack in an Order
While randomly dumping things in boxes is a tempting idea for quick packing, remember it is just half the journey. The unpacking will become equally tiresome and can damage the items during transit. So stay organized and save yourself the stress of sorting your things later.
Try using medium-sized boxes for heavy items and avoid over-stuffing them. You can use a larger one for lightweight things, like linens and pillows. Place the heaviest items at the bottom, followed by the less heavy ones. Placing fragile items at the bottom can cause them to break under the weight of things piled over them. Also, do not leave space in any box and fill it with Styrofoam blocks or newspapers. Try not to mix up the contents of different rooms for swift and smooth packing and unpacking. With this organized packing, adding labels to the cardboard boxes will be a bonus, as you will not have to sift through every box to find something.
Conclusion
Nothing can be a bigger mood-buster than seeing your valuables damaged while storing or moving them. Not every item is replaceable, whether they hold sentimental value or you have accumulated them after much hard work. So as soon as you receive the news of moving to a new place, get to the task of systematically packing your things and avoid an unwelcome start to your new phase of life. With a thorough plan, your belongings will be ready to adorn your new abode and fill it with the homely old vibes you are about to leave behind.
