Some moving hacks go without saying, like packing the largest and heaviest items in your car first or, ensuring that fragile items are well protected to minimise the risk of them cracking when being transported. However, when it comes to packing for a house move; there are some smart hacks that only the savviest space-savers know about!
So, what are the ultimate packing hacks?
Space Saving Ideas
Socks in shoes: One of the simpler space saving ideas is to store your socks in your shoes when packing. This has the added bonus of helping to maintain a good shape to your shoes as it prevents them from being crushed.
Vacuum Sealed Bags: Many people choose to pack their clothes in bin bags, as they can remain on the hanger and it helps to keep them clean. Taking this one step further, vacuum sealed bags are better space savers and perform the same function as bin bags.
Belts to pad out shirt collars: Belts can unravel and end up getting bent out of shape when simply place in your packing. Similarly, shirt collars lose their firmness. However, when you place your belt inside your shirt collar, both can remain in good shape.
Sterilise bins and use them for storage: Kitchen and bathroom bins are large and bulky. Fill them with items such as shower gels, soaps and other such items to help save space.
Fill bags, purses and laundry baskets: Handbags can be filled with small items such as journals, purses and glasses cases.
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Practical Ideas
Coloured Dot Stickers: Many stores sell simply coloured dot stickers, which can be placed on individual parts of units to help to identify which pieces belong to which unit when you wish to reassemble your furniture. This way, you will know that all of the red stickered items slot together to form your wardrobe or, all the green dots form your bookcase.
Take photos: Leads will need unplugging before you relocate the item in the move. Take a photo of how the TV or other such item was plugged in before to help jog your memory as to how it all connects back in together when you reach your new house. Taking a photo of your meter readings and other such important data is also advisable.
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Protecting Items
Cling Film: Clingfilm aids in securing items, so they do not move and become tangled. It can also reduce the likelihood of the object being scratched.
Bubble Wrap: Bubble wrap is especially useful for more fragile items such as crockery and glassware
Paper Plates: Paper plates stacked alternately between your regular plates act as extra padding and can minimise any damage the items may sustain.
Newspaper: Stuffing mugs and glasses with newspaper, and then wrapping them will help them to withstand most knocks and bumps during the journey.
Laundry: Towels, socks and other robust clothing items can help to prevent more fragile items from becoming damaged. For example: you could wrap a DVD player in a dry bath towel to prevent it from being scraped or damaged.
Armbands: Armbands, when inflated can be used to help protect bottles of wine from knocks.
Styrofoam: Styrofoam offers a good amount of protection for fragile items however, it can use up a large amount of space, so it is worth seeing if any of the above options would suit the item you are packing before choosing this somewhat messy route!
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Safer Storage
Sandwich Bags: Freezer or sandwich bags can be used to collect screws and other small miscellaneous important items that are easily lost. Try to choose one with a good seal. You can then tape this bag to the relevant furniture to help you to remember which unit the screws belonged to.
Toilet Roll Tube: To prevent necklaces from becoming tangled, simply feed the two ends through the discarded tube and fascine them back together.
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Feature Image: Credit to Africa Studio / shutterstock.com
