Moving can be mind-boggling if you aren't prepared for it. In fact, it would be a good idea to have a moving supplies checklist in hand that can help you make your move easier and smoother. Moving supplies aren’t only limited to packing tapes and cardboard boxes, but there are many other things. You must use the right set of packing and moving supplies as this can create a huge difference between a difficult move and a successful move.
We have created a detailed list of packing and moving supplies for you so that you can cross-check as you prepare yourself for the moving day. Also, we will help you understand how to use these supplies and ensure that the move is in your control.
How to create a moving supplies list?
Moving is easy if you know the right way to do it. We recommend you think and prepare for it in advance. Here are a few tips to achieve this:
- You can hire a moving company as they would have all the moving supplies you may need. This would be beneficial for both international moves and local moves. Once you see what equipment and supplies the moving company is using, you can easily arrange for it in your next move. Overall, a moving company is helpful, you can easily connect with them to clear your move-related doubts.
- You need to think about the moving supplies you may need and prepare a list accordingly. However, there will be a few risks of a DIY move that you need to take care of. In a nutshell, you need to create a moving supplies checklist and learn what you need to bring and how to get them. For instance, if you have numerous small items to move, you can consider including moving boxes in the list.
A few important considerations
Just having a few moving supplies won't be sufficient for a large number of belongings you need to move. More than likely, a simple cardboard box won't be enough to pack your possessions as you may want to keep your inventory safe. Hence, you can choose to purchase a few strong moving boxes to pack your items safely. You can visit Amazon.com to choose the supplies which you think could be useful for your move. Moreover, you can choose to buy professional moving supplies as you can make use of them properly, recycle them easily as well as resell them and generate profit.
We recommend you create an outstanding moving supplies checklist and note down the items that you would be needing to make your move successful. You need to include only those moving supplies in the list that you will be needing for your move. If you use this technique, you can never go wrong. You should include both the moving supplies and packing supplies in your checklist. You should include everything so that you don't face any issues at the last moment.
Moving Supplies Checklist
Of course, there isn't any definitive list of moving supplies, however, you can always create a template and start working from there.
Packing Essentials
- Moving boxes- It is the most essential moving supply that you will need for packing your belongings. We suggest you get moving boxes of different types and sizes to make your packing process easier. Here’s what you need to remember:
- You may need to buy small boxes to pack heavy items like books and large boxes for light and large items like pillows or blankets.
- If you want to pack delicate items, possibly you can use medium boxes with dividers and pack them securely.
- To save money, you can consider investing your time in doing research and finding websites like Craigslist or Freecycle that can provide you with free boxes.
Tip: If you have planned to use old boxes for packing your items, you need to be careful as they might not be as strong as the new boxes.
- Packing tapes- Don't go with the temptation of buying the least priced packing tape on the market. Instead, you should invest some more money and buy quality tape for packing your items and help to reach safely your new location. Using low-cost tapes can be risky because they are thin and less sticky.
- We suggest you go with the brand you know to buy good quality tapes.
- You can use a tape gun to apply the tape quickly and smoothly.
- If you want to save money, consider buying the packing tape in bulk. Only when you start packing your belongings will you understand how much packing tape you may need to use.
- Labeling resources- You should label boxes as soon as you finish packing them. There are various ways to label the moving boxes. You can either write on the boxes to label them or use color code stickers to differentiate the boxes. Regardless of the method you use, consider labeling on both sides.
- Cushioning materials- There are many items that you can't just throw into the moving boxes. You can probably use the foam wrap sheets to securely pack the fragile items like a dish in the moving box. Alternatively, you may use bubble wrap to pack large and fragile items safely into the boxes. Moreover, a newspaper can also be used for cushioning, but it isn't perfect when it comes to the protection of fragile items.
- Rope or cargo straps- You can use a cargo strap or a rope to prevent your belongings from moving around as you load them into the rental truck or a cargo van. Also, your items might be damaged if they shift continuously from their position. A cargo strap will secure your possessions towards the side of the truck. If you have heavy furniture to move, consider using thick straps and prevent your furniture from getting damaged.
Moving supplies for furniture and appliances
You can consider the following checklist to haul your furniture and appliances safely into the moving truck:
- Stretch wraps- You can use the stretch wrap in various ways during your move. It seems a good idea to close the drawer of a nightstand or a dresser by using a stretch wrap. You can even use a stretch wrap to protect your furniture, mostly wooden items, from getting scratched or any other type of damage.
- Toolset- You may not have the intention to disassemble your dining table until you face problems in fitting it into the moving truck. You can simply prepare a toolset, where you may keep any tools that could be needed to take apart a dining table. We suggest you keep this toolkit with you because you may need it to reassemble your furniture as soon as it reaches your new destination.
- Furniture pads- You can use a moving blanket to protect large items like furniture from getting damaged during transit. Though you can always buy furniture pads, we recommend you rent them for your move. Mostly, a moving company will rent around 12 furniture pads that would cost something around $10 and $20. However, if you choose to buy it, you will get just one furniture pad at this price. It would be a good idea to use a simple blanket if you want to reduce your moving expenses.
- Hand trucks and dollies- Consider hiring a moving dolly or a hand truck from the furniture moving companies. Also, you can buy them if you need to relocate frequently with your furniture and if you have sufficient storage space. Buying a hand truck or a dolly can be costly, however, you can rent them at a price even less than $20.
- Moving straps- You may consider using a wearable moving strap if you need to move your furniture up and down the stairs. With the use of this strap, you or your friends can easily move furniture from one place to another. We suggest you read the instructions properly and prevent injuries due to the wrong technique of using it.
- Furniture covers- You need to slide a furniture cover over your furniture and protect it from damage. Such covers have only a few paddings, however, they will keep your furniture clean and prevent its surface from getting damaged. Any warranty on high-value items like a mattress would also be secured with this cover.
To get back your deposit you must clean your old house before you move out of it. Ensure to have the following cleaning supplies ready:
- Broom- A broom is important when it comes to cleaning a place. Here's what you may need a broom for during a move:
- To clean your old house before moving out of it.
- To clean your new house after you move into it and make it fit for you to live.
- To sweep a rental truck after you are done with your move.
- Buckets- Ensure you buy a 5-gallon bucket for cleaning your house well. You can buy it from any hardware store at a reasonable price. We suggest you buy a bucket with a lid so that you can pack some of your belongings into it after the cleaning is over.
- Garbage bags- Make sure to keep sufficient garbage bags with you while on the move. You can either use these bags to throw away your trash or pack the last-minute items into them. Also, you can use them as pillow protection and if you are left with a few more you can use them at your new house.
Other miscellaneous moving supplies
These small and cheap items can make a huge difference in your move. Here’s what you need to know.
- Permanent marker- Consider buying two or more permanent markers for easily labeling your moving boxes. We recommend you buy a Sharpie multipack so that you have one marker for each room. It would be a complete waste of time if you went searching for markers at the end moment as you must have other important work to do.
- Padlock- All your household stuff would be loaded into the rental truck. You can use a padlock to secure your belongings in the moving truck. You may get low-cost padlocks in the market, but we recommend you buy a durable model by paying a few extra bucks.
- Gloves- You should buy gloves as these would protect your hands from cuts, punctures, and scrapes. Of course, you won't appreciate moving furniture and boxes with an injured hand.
- Plastic bags- You may also need a few plastic bags to keep the nuts, bolts, screws, and washer as you disassemble a piece of furniture. Perhaps, you can apply the following tricks:
- Ensure you label each of the plastic baggies as it will be easier for you to identify where you have kept these nuts and bolts.
- Make sure to keep these plastic bags in a convenient place so that you find them easily while reassembling your furniture.
- It seems a good idea to keep the nuts and bolts in a sandwich-sized bag. While you can use a gallon-sized bag to keep cords and cables.
- Utility knife- You can use a utility knife to instantly open the moving boxes. However, you should handle a utility knife with great care as you may mistakenly cut your items while cutting the packing tape.
While preparing a moving supply checklist you should keep this guide in mind, and you will be safe. Also, you can connect with movers.com and you will be guided to make your move easier and smoother.