tips for packing up your house (mover, U-Haul, trailer, ship)

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by bgmv90

Is there such a thing as too early to start packing?

I'm moving next month. I started packing last October. (I've been planning to move for almost a year.) The very first thing I started packing is hobby stuff, and I'm a total hobby nut so I have plenty of it. Next was my fancy cooking stuff (one of my hobbies is cooking) including crock pots (yes I have two), food processor, my good knife set, etc. I left out only a basic set of kitchenware. I have a fancy set of dishes/plates which I packed, leaving out my everyday dishes/plates.

I stopped packing last year when everything I had left was necessary to live here another 5-6 months. I packed a whole bunch of stuff, maybe even 40% of all my stuff. Now I'm within a month of moving and just today I'm going to start packing essential stuff, starting with my everyday dishes/plates. I've already bought paper plates. In the next week I'm shutting down all cooking here and switching to take out food.

I'm thankful that I started early. Right now I'd be facing an impossible job or at least a miserable ordeal packing everything. As it is I've got a really good start and not that much to go. My estimate of 40% packed is conservative. I might even be 60% packed. It was well worth starting early although this might not work for everybody, particularly those who don't collect stuff. I've been in this house decades so I have way too much stuff.

That reminds me, be very critical of your stuff. Consider weight to value ratio. If something is really heavy it better be very valuable to you to take it on the move. Lighter/smaller stuff not so critical. Cull your possessions and strongly consider throwing away or donating any excess. The sooner you start culling the quicker you'll be able to see what is really worth packing.

[Charles22]

Here's a good tip: build your boxes in advance and use glue instead of tape. Glue is much less expensive than tape and it will make your boxes more sturdy to carry when they're full. I glue the bottoms and then put a couple of books inside to help keep the flaps down as the glue dries.

You can tape the tops shut.

[bgmv90]

I wonder how long is too long to keep stuff in boxes, heat, moisture, smell, etc.

[Lovehound]

Keep your stuff in a cool, dry place. Don't pack eggs, meat or fresh vegetables. Wash your jock strap before you pack it. Or undies/bra if you're a woman.

[MaryleeII]

IMO, I don't pack anything that's opened, perishable, etc. Use it up or throw it out, its not worth the hassle!

Do NOT pack things like food, cleaning supplies, etc. There again, use it up, or throw it out. forget about taking your items to a food bank, shelter, etc. Despite what they say, they really don't want your stuff. Most of those places get generous donations from stores, etc. I've driven around half a day trying to donate my used stuff, like foodstuffs, canned goods, cleaning products, only to be told no thanks! Really, they just put on an act they need stuff, dont' waste your time.

Just throw it away. We paid extra for heavy trash pickup, consider that.

Also, as soon as you know your move date, stop buying stuff in quantity, like Sams' Costco, bulk items, etc. Just buy what you need for the week, etc.

Schedule Goodwill pickups for things they will accept, like furniture, clothes, books, etc.

[bongo]

I've been giving foodstuffs, spices, & cleaning stuff to friends. Spices & such are costly & friends are happy to choose some.

I've put many items that goodwill does not want, like mattresses, on freecycle.com & folks call right away to come pick up.

[MaryleeII]

If you have time, try to keep a detailed list of items in each box, not just dishes, misc glasses, etc, it really helps on the unloading side..

[Snafu]

For important small items, like paperwork/documents, perhaps a camera, passport, and other items that you want to keep track of, find a place to keep them where the movers won't grab them by mistake and yet you can find them easily on moving day. (For me, the vegetable drawers in my fridge work perfectly - that's the one place movers don't seem to randomly grab items from to fill in empty spaces in boxes). If you are moving the fridge and not shipping your car, you can just take all these important things together out to your car or put them in a suitcase/travel bag the morning of the move before the confusion ensues.

[DaniellaG]

When I move I also use it as a time to get rid or donate items I don't use.

[IndigoLight]

I agree with DaniellaG.
My move rule is: anything I haven't used/worn in the last 12 months is not moving with me, it gets sold, donated, thrown away.