Did you know that 26% of Americans are considering a permanent move because of the coronavirus pandemic? It’s true, so if you’re looking at making a big move, you’re in good company.
Knowing how to pack for a cross-country move is a bit of a science. As you can imagine, long-distance moves come with more complications than local ones.
Keep reading to learn the best way to pack for a move across the country.
Start in Your Closet
One of our best tips for packing for a move is to downsize where you can. The first place you should start is your closet.
Donating or selling old clothing and shoes can be tough. You may feel you need to hold onto them in case you want to wear them again. Our rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it within the last 12 months, get rid of it.
How do you pack the clothing that makes the cut, though? We recommend using vacuum seal bags. These bags will not only save space in your moving truck but keep your clothes clean, too.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Procrastination is the enemy with moves of any distance. The earlier you start planning, the smoother it will go.
Reach out to moving companies for quotes as soon as you know you’re moving.
Be sure you have all the supplies you need on hand before you start packing. Save sturdy boxes you receive in the mail. Start looking on local garage sale sites for free ones, too.
Make packing fun and less of a chore by listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while you pack.
Pack Right
There are right and wrong ways to pack for a move. Knowing how to safely box and package your items saves space and protects your belongings.
You’ll run into issues if you try to pack your entire bookshelf into a flimsy box. Instead, store heavy items in your spare suitcases.
Take large pieces of furniture apart ahead of your movers arriving. This will make your bulky items easier to load into the moving van. Keep all hardware like screws and bolts together in a plastic bag and tape it to the back of the furniture they belong to.
Resist the urge to interlock the box tops together. Instead, use packing tape to close the parallel edges together to make your boxes sturdier.
Use your underwear and socks as fillers for partially full boxes. They work great as cushioning in boxes with breakables. Be sure to still wrap your breakables in newspaper and bubble wrap, too.
Consider leaving clothing in dresser drawers and files in filing cabinets. Tape the doors shut so they don’t open during transit.
Know How to Pack For a Cross Country Move
Your big move doesn’t need to be a stressful event. It should be smoother sailing now that you know how to pack for a cross country move. Keep exploring our site for more helpful lifestyle tips.
