Essential Items You Need to Pack and Keep With You When Moving

When faced with the task of moving, most of the focus is placed on getting everything packed away and in the moving truck by the scheduled time. With so much emphasis on getting things done, it can be easy to forget to keep some essential items out of the moving boxes. Fortunately, by planning ahead, you can avoid running into this difficult situation. While there are many things you will want to take with you, some of the most important can be found below thanks to .

1. Electronics

While it’s unlikely you’ll pack up your cell phone, you should make a note to keep out your home and car chargers. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep tablets and electronic games with you for kids or teens who will need entertaining. This NYC apartment moving company notes, laptops and coordinating chargers should also be kept with you, especially if you use them on a daily basis.

2. Clothing

The clothes kept with you will depend on how long you’ll be without your normal wardrobe and who is with you. One good piece of advice is to not pack too much since it’s likely you’ll be limited when it comes to space. It’s much easier to wash shirts and pants than it is to carry around several extra pairs that you may not ever need. Don’t forget shoes that are comfortable and weather appropriate as well. To keep everything organized, give each individual their own suitcase or box to store things in.

Tip: If you have a special occasion scheduled during your move, keep a nice outfit with you to avoid spending on something new.

3. Sensitive Documents

Never pack documents that can’t be replaced or that are important to your finances/security. While you can shred those that you genuinely don’t need, all others should be kept with you through the moving process. This could be birth certificates, social security cards, bank documents, marriage licenses, or anything else that you feel is important.

4. Medications

Any medications you regularly use should be kept with you for safety. If you find old prescriptions as you’re packing, dispose of these in a safe manner. When it comes to vitamins, look at the storage information on the bottle. Most will be fine if they are going on a short move, but others may not survive long-term storage or trips.

5. Child-Friendly Items

If you’re moving with kids, it’s important to think about things that are most important for them to have throughout the day. Diapers, wipes, blankets, toys, snacks, books, and formula are all items you will want to keep with you. Additionally, don’t forget to keep anything that provides them comfort, such as plush animals or pacifiers.

6. Photos

Any paper photos you have that can’t be replaced should be kept with you. If you truly don’t have space for larger albums, then find the time to scan them into digital copies before you move.

7. Toiletries

While you can buy toiletries at the store, it will be nice to have these on-hand while you’re moving. Even something as simple as toilet paper can reduce your stress on moving day.

Simplify Moving

When packing your most essential belongings to keep with you, keep the items above in mind. However, it’s also helpful to run through your day and think about the things you use the most. Not only will this preparation save you time it will also save you money.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Pack and Move Your Kitchen

Let’s face it; the kitchen is always the hardest room to pack when you are moving. With all of the small items and fragile dishes, not to mention food items, packing a kitchen can be a daunting task. Luckily, there’s a systematic approach to pack up and move your kitchen with ease.

Supplies You Will Need:

  • Large Boxes – For lightweight plastics and non-perishables.
  • Medium Boxes – For heavier pots and pans.
  • Heavy-Duty Boxes – For silverware, glassware, and vases.
  • Newspaper or Bubble Wrap
  • Packing Tape
  • Labels & Markers

Step 1: Sort & Simplify

Before you move, it’s important to only take items that you use! You don’t want to haul an entire kitchen only to have to sort and organize in your new home. Take this opportunity to sort your kitchen items and declutter. Go through your entire pantry, all of your cabinets and drawers and be very selective. Imperial Movers – www.imperialmovers.com – says donate any unneeded items to shelters or food banks or have a garage sale.

Prepare the Essentials

Set aside all of the things you will need for the next few days in your current home, including a few dishes, pans, cutlery, food items, appliances like a coffee maker or can opener as well as dish towels, soap and cleaner.

Step 2: Run Down Your Food

The last thing you want to do is waste food, so, before you move, plan your meals ahead of time to minimize the amount of food that will be wasted. Start by looking at what perishable items you currently have and look up recipes to use them up. Try not to grocery shop and keep new food purchases to a minimum. Only buy the essentials if you need to before your move. Arrange everything in your refrigerator and freezer so it will be easy to find and use.

Step 3: Pack the Remaining

Pack everything you won’t be using. Consider emptying out your cabinets first. Take every single thing out, so you can see what you have to work with. Make one pile of things to donate, one pile of things you will need for the next few days and one pile to pack. These items can include vases, wine glasses, mixing bowls, blenders, cookbooks, pots, special utensils, and towels.

Dinnerware

Place a layer of bubble wrap on the bottom of a box. Wrap each piece of dinnerware with bubble wrap or newspaper and stack them one at a time with the largest on the bottom. For extremely fragile items like wine glasses or coffee mugs, consider wrapping these individually. Tip: Use your dishtowels for wrapping fragile items.

Silverware

You don’t want loose silverware moving around and potentially damaging your other fragile items, so save yourself the trouble and wrap your silverware in bundles with a rubber band and place them in a separate box like a shoe box. Tape the box closed and you can place that box inside the larger box for easy packing.

Pots and Pans

Using the medium sized boxes, start with your biggest pan first. Try stacking them flat and rotate every other one so the handles aren’t all facing the same way. Use bubble wrap or towels after every few pans to keep them from getting scratched or damaged. Once all of your pots and pans are inside, wrap the glass lids with bubble wrap or towels and slide them vertically around the sides of the box.

Step 4: Miscellaneous Items

Instead of using multiple boxes for your smaller items, try wrapping your utensils and other odds and ends with packing paper, label them and stuff them inside your other boxes to fill up any unused space.

For pantry items like spices, canned goods, and nonperishable start with the smaller items like your spices and pack them into small boxes. Tape up any opened nonperishable items like cereal boxes and bags to keep them from spilling and place them into boxes upright.

Using these techniques will help lighten your load and make packing your kitchen as easy of a process as possible. Always be sure to label your boxes! It’s also a good idea to draw an arrow showing which way the boxes should stand. This will make for an easy move and easy unpacking once you get situated into your new home. Happy moving!