Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up over 100 ideas to make it easier.
Moving Tips and Hacks
Moving Tips and Hacks
8 Ways to Prepare for Your Move 32 Packing Hacks 26 Cleaning Hacks 22 Moving Day Tips 13 Things to Do After Your Move
Yep! We’ve found ideas and tips to help out with EACH stage of your move. From the very beginning, all the way to the end (because we love you!) Along with reading all of these tips, we also recommend researching moving companies if you’re needing to use one! Here are 7 of the Best Interstate Moving Companies of 2022 that we recommend! Now, you can pin this post now, then come back to it and scroll down whenever you’re ready for the next step. Ready for some serious inspiration? READY. SET. SCROLL…
Moving Tips
Moving Tips
Check out these 8 genius ways to prepare for your move. Want to decrease the stress and chaos of your upcoming move? It’s all about preparing for success. Here are some moving hacks and ideas to get ahead of the game!
1. Printable Moving Binder – Get totally organized and prepared with The Ultimate Moving Organization Binder! This baby seriously has EVERYTHING you need for a smooth move including: a Moving Timeline Checklist, Monthly and Weekly Calendars, a Moving Budget Breakdown, a Cleaning Checklist, an Important Contacts Sheet, and MORE! Basically, it does all of the thinking for you so you can stress less and just check things off one at a time. Basically, if you’re moving, you NEED to get your hands on this ready-to-print binder. {Trust me now, and thank me later.} 2. Purge & Declutter – Use the months and weeks before your move to purge & declutter. The less stuff you have, the less you have to pack and move. Not only with this save you time and money in the long run, but it will also help get you cleaned up and organized. Consider having a garage sale, selling unwanted items online, or donating to charities, thrift stores, or friends. 3. Collect Boxes – As soon as you know you’re moving, start collecting boxes! Every time we move, I’m amazed at how many we end up going through. Here are 17 places where you can get free boxes. 4. Packing Supplies Station – Before you actually dive into the packing, consider setting up a supplies station. Just grab everything you’ll be needing (packing tape, scissors, sharpies, and labels) and throw them in a basket or box that you can tote around with you as you pack the different rooms of the house. (By the way, I totally recommend retractable sharpie markers so you aren’t constantly losing and looking for the cap.) 5. Prep Crockpot Meals – Meal planning and cooking always gets challenging once you start packing up the house. And fast food meals can get old (and expensive) fast. That’s why we LOVE this tip: prep some freezer crockpot meals in advance! That way you can pack everything in the kitchen except for your crockpot. And when you’re busy packing all day, you don’t have to worry about making dinner – just dump it and forget it. (We totally recommend using paper plates, cups, and utensils during this phase. That way you don’t have to worry about dishes at all.) If you don’t go through all of your crockpot meals, you’ll be super grateful for them in your new house when you’re busy unpacking and settling in. Just use your cooler to transport them on moving day. 6. Budget & Save – Before your move, we highly suggest sitting down and filling out this Moving Budget Breakdown and starting a moving savings fund. It’s no secret that moving can be expensive and costs can add up quickly! Don’t forget that many companies will charge you a first month’s deposit and a one-time set-up fee when turning on your utilities at your new house. There’s nothing more stressful than unexpected expenses when you’re already in the middle of a costly transition. 7. Schedule Utilities to be Set-Up – Speaking of utilities, this is one step you do NOT want to forget. Moving is stressful enough without adding in the worries of no water, heat, or electricity. Keep in mind that many companies won’t set up service over the weekend so you’ll want to call to schedule and make arrangements well in advance. Often, you’ll need to be at the house when the serviceman arrives to turn on the gas or set up the internet. We highly recommend filling out this Important Contact Sheet with the phone numbers for your new utility companies, just in case you need them. (When we moved last month, we had to call the water company because they accidentally went to the wrong house. I was super glad I had kept their information and my account number handy.) TIP: There is a free online service, Allconnect, that helps you find utilities (like internet, TV, and electricity) available to you at your new address. All you have to do is type in your address and it will provide you with the best utility options, prices, and plans near you. 8. Prepare the Kids – This is one tip that a lot of people forget. Remember that moving can be a huge transition and a little scary for a lot of kids, even if they don’t tell you so. Even though you’re going to be super busy, make sure to take a little time to talk to your kids and help ease any fears and anxieties they may have. These children’s books about moving, like Bella and Stella Come Home, Katie Moves, and Boomers Big Day are a great way to start the conversation with young children. (And here are some tips for helping teens transition.) Try to make the move a fun experience by letting them play with the boxes, researching fun things to do in your new town, and having picnics on the floor once the furniture is broken down. (Our first night in our new house, we had a family slumber party in the loft because we didn’t have time to put beds together and it has turned into such a sweet memory.)
Free moving checklist printables
Free moving checklist printables
32 Packing Hacks
32 Packing Hacks
If you are looking for moving advice, being organized and thoughtful in your packing is one of the best ways to improve your moving experience. Here are some packing hacks to get you started on the right track.
9. Color-Coded Labels – If you haven’t noticed already, we’re huge fans of organization – it makes everything easier! That’s why we love the idea using these ready-to-print Color-Coded Moving Labels on your boxes! Each room in the house is assigned it’s own color. There’s even a place to write down what’s inside the box and mark if it’s heavy or fragile. Easy peasy! 10. Color-Coded Signs – Then on moving day, just put these coordinating, ready-to-print Color-Coded Signs on the outside of the doors on each room in your house. That way the movers (or your friends who are helping you unpack) can look at the colored labels on the boxes and know exactly which room to put them in. Not only does this free you from having to be the moving day “traffic director,” but it also gets all of the boxes in the right rooms from the beginning so you don’t have to do more heavy-lifting once your helpers have left. 11. Keep a Moving Inventory – If you really want to get organized, keep a moving inventory of what’s inside each box as you pack. That way you’ll know exactly where to go when you get to your new house and are looking for the can opener or blow dryer. 12. “First Day Essentials” Bin – It can be so easy for important things to get lost once everything is in boxes. That’s why we LOVE the idea of setting aside a “First Day Essentials” bin. Just label and fill a clear plastic bin (so it sticks out from all the other brown boxes) with everything you’ll need right away, as soon as you get to your new house. The idea is that it will be the last thing out of your old home and the first thing into your new home. (When we moved, my sisters brought me a big bin filled with essentials for our new home: hand soap, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, scissors, etc. It seriously saved me! Every time I needed something that I couldn’t find, it was in that bin just waiting for me.) 13. “First Night Essentials” Suitcase – Taking it a step further, make sure to pack a “First Night Essentials” suitcase. Trust me, after moving all day, you’re going to be exhausted, dirty, and sweaty. The last thing you’re going to want to do is dig through boxes looking for your soap, shampoo, a towel, and some clean pajamas so you can shower and get to bed that night. 14. Cooking Essentials Bin – If you don’t want to spend the extra money on take-out and you didn’t have time to prep any freezer meals (see tip #5 above), it might also be a good idea to set aside a box or bin with all the ingredients, appliances, and pans you’ll need to cook your first few meals. Even if you go the simpler route and it’s just filled with a loaf of bread, a knife, some peanut butter, jelly, and chips, you’ll be glad you have something on hand to grab when the kids are starving and you haven’t had time to unpack or go shopping yet. 15. Place Knives in Potholders – To prevent sharp knives from cutting through the box, place them inside padded potholders before packing them. 16. Place Foam Plates Between Breakable Plates – Place a foam plate between your breakable ceramic or china plates for added cushion. How easy is that?!
17. Pack Plates Vertically – Make sure you turn those places vertically though; don’t just put them in the box stacked on top of each other. Plates are much less likely to break without the added weight and pressure. It’s also a good idea to place some bubble wrap, newspapers, or cloth around them before taping up the box. 18. Pack Spices Inside Pots – Utilize your space better by packing small kitchen supplies inside larger appliances. For example, throw your bottles of spices inside your crockpot. 19. Use Ziplock Bags for Small Items – When it comes to packing up drawers, Ziploc bags are your friends! They’re perfect for keeping small, similar items together. Then when you unpack, just dump them back into the drawer. 20. Keep Drawers Closed With Plastic Wrap – When moving small storage chests with drawers, use plastic wrap to keep the drawers closed. That way you don’t have to worry about packing the drawers or even taking the drawers out at all. 22. Use IKEA Bags Instead of Boxes – These IKEA DIMPA Storage Bags are perfect for moving! They’re heavy-duty but still lightweight, and they’re water resistant and keep the pests out while in storage! Plus, they’re so huge, they hold 4 boxes worth of clothes, toys, or anything really. 23. How to Pack Artwork – Protect your artwork and wall hangings by sliding them inside free, flat priority mail boxes, before packing them all inside a larger box. 24. Pack Books in Rolling Suitcases – Pack your books inside rolling suitcases. It’s a lot easier to roll a suitcase out the door than to lift a big box filled with heavy books.
25. Don’t Unhang Your Clothes – No need to unhang, fold, pack, unpack, and then rehang your clothes. Just leave them on the hangers and simply place them inside large garbage bags before loading into the moving truck. 26. Don’t Unload Your Drawers – You don’t need to unload your dresser drawers either! No need to create extra work or use extra boxes. Just pull out the drawers, load the dresser onto the moving truck, and put the drawers back in. Or, use plastic wrap to wrap them all shut in transit (and also to protect your furniture!) 27. Pack Jewelry With Press’n Seal – Prevent jewelry from tangling during your move by placing it between two sheets of Press’n Seal plastic wrap. 28. DIY Vacuum Packing – If you don’t want to spend the money on Space Saver Bags, you can create the same effect with a vacuum hose and some garbage bags. 29. Use Plastic Wrap Over Open Bottles – Prevent leakage with just a little bit of plastic wrap. Simply place it between the bottle and the lid. 30. Use Towels and Sheets Instead of Bubble Wrap – Kill two birds with one stone! By using towels and sheets for padding during packing, you’re not only saving yourself the expense of bubble wrap, but also getting those towels and sheets packed. 31. Use Plastic Grocery Bags for Padding – Another great option for padding is plain old plastic grocery bags. Chances are, you already have a bunch under your kitchen sink or stuffed in your pantry. 32. Use Packing Partitions for Glasses or China – We’re all about cheap and free packing hacks, but when it comes to packing your fancy glasses or china, we highly recommend these cardboard packing partitions. The peace of mind is well worth the cost.
33. Pack Seasonal Decor in Plastic Bins – Pack your seasonal decor, or other storage items, in large, plastic bins. Then, when you get to the new house, all you have to do is stack it in the garage. 34. How to Pack a TV – Take extra care when packing your TV! Follow these steps to see how the professionals pack TVs. 35. Put Tape on Mirrors – Put painters tape across your mirrors to help prevent any breaking or shattering. 36. Bag Screws and Nails – When you’re taking down your furniture, be extra careful to gather up all of the hardware, screws, and nails and put them into a labeled bag before packing. The worst thing is finding a random bag of screws and having no idea what they go to. Or, even worse, wanting to set up the baby’s crib and having no idea what happened to the screws. (This may or may not be the reason why my baby slept in a pack-n-play for the first few days after our move.) 37. Organize Cords With Empty Toilet Paper Rolls – Organize your cables and cords inside empty toilet paper rolls. It’s a great way to prevent tangling. You can also cut down empty paper towel rolls and wrapping paper rolls as well. 38. Label Your Cords – But before throwing your cords in the box, make sure you have them each labeled! You don’t want to spend forever experimenting and sorting through them at your new house. 39. Take a Picture of Your Electronics – If you’re not very technologically-inclined, it’s a good idea to take a picture of the back of your TV and other electronics before unplugging them and moving. That way when it’s time to set up at the new house, you can just look at the pictures to see which colored cords go where. 40. Host a Packing Party – There’s no way around it, packing is a LOT of work. But you can make the work a lot more fun by inviting your friends and family over and turning it into a “packing party.” Throw in some good food and music and the packing will be over before you know it.
26 Cleaning Hacks
26 Cleaning Hacks
Cleaning is often the worst part of packing up and moving to a new place. When you’re ready to move on, the last thing you want to do is clean up and
41. Use Soap to Fill Nail Holes – Did you know that you can use soap to fill in your nail holes when moving? You totally can! Check out the before and after pics. 42. Patch Holes in Walls – If you have holes in the walls (probably from those pesky door handles slamming into the wall), don’t worry! It’s easier to patch than you may think. 43. Wash Walls – Here are some helpful tips and steps to deep-cleaning those walls after you get your artwork and wall hangings packed. 44. The Secret to Cleaning Crayon Drawings – Did you know that WD-40 is amazing at getting the crayon off of walls without taking off the paint? If you have little ones at home, you’ve gotta check this out. 45. Use Dryer Sheets to Clean Baseboards – Did you know that wiping your baseboards with a dryer sheet will help repel dust and keep them clean longer? 46. Fix Broken Blinds – If you have have mini blinds and little children in your home, chances are you’re going to need this post. Instead of replacing all of the broken blinds from the littles ones trying to look out the window, fix them! 47. How to Clean Dirty Blinds – Cleaning the blinds is usually a dreaded chore, so chances are, they’ll need some cleaning before you move out. Luckily, it’s not hard to do if you use the right cleaner. 48. Clean Window Tracks – It always surprises (and disgusts) me how dirty window tracks can get. Here’s a painless approach for getting them nice and clean again.
49. Simple Tip for Cleaning Vents – If you’re like most people, you probably don’t get around to cleaning your vents very often. No worries, here’s a secret cleaning tip using Turtle Wax. Yep, you read that right. 50. DIY Carpet Stain Remover – Keeping the carpet clean with little ones at home can be nearly impossible. Luckily, we’ve found a recipe for the magic stain remover! 51. Quick Carpet Fix – After you move all of your furniture out of the house, you’re probably going to be left with furniture marks all over your carpet. Here’s a super-easy tip to get your carpet looking good as new. Just place ice cubes all along the marks and wait for them to melt. Then just use a fork to fluff the carpet back up, and it will be like they were never there. 52. Clean Dishwasher Easily – Most people don’t think about cleaning the dishwasher, but the drains on dishwashers can get pretty gunked up. It’s a good idea to do a quick cleaning before you move out (for the new owners), and even at your new house (in case the old owners haven’t.) 53. Clean Microwave with Lemon and Vinegar – If you despise cleaning the microwave as much as I do, you’ll love this no scrub method. We love that it doesn’t use harsh chemicals either, just lemon and vinegar. 54. No Scrub Oven Cleaner – Can you tell I’m a fan on the no-scrub methods? This one’s great just because of that, but it’s also made using ingredients you probably already have around the house. 55. Steam Clean the Ice and Water Dispenser – When we moved into our new house, it was squeaky clean – except for one thing … the ice and water dispenser! It was actually pretty disturbing how gross it was. I get it, those things are hard to clean with all the sediment build-up. Luckily, steam cleaning makes a world of a difference! If you haven’t used a power steamer before, you’re really missing out. They are AMAZING at deep cleaning without all the elbow grease. They’re totally worth renting or buying when you’re doing a lot of cleaning when moving out and in. 56. How to Deep-Clean a Dirty Fridge – Cleaning the fridge is definitely a big chore. If you don’t know where to start, just follow these steps for a super clean fridge.
57. Shine Stainless Steel With Cream of Tartar – Link is no longer available 🙁 But, did you know that cream of tartar is amazing for shining stainless steel? It’s true! You’ve gotta try it. 58. Clean Gunk Off Kitchen Cabinets – This kitchen cabinet cleaner only needs two ingredients and it’s amazing at removing the gunk and grime. 59. DIY Grout Cleaner – If you’re having trouble getting the grout white again, you might want to try this DIY cleaner. Just spray it on your grout, wait an hour, and scrub away. (Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is also GREAT for grout!) 60. Easy Tip for Cleaning Kitchen Grease – Kitchen grease can be tough to tackle. But did you know that rubbing alcohol is amazing at cleaning it off? Try it on your range hood – you’ll be blown away at the difference. 61. How to Remove Hard Water from Faucets – Hard water is the bane of my existence. Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but it can be SO hard to clean and that nasty build-up is so unsightly. Wanna know the secret? Plain white vinegar! 62. DIY No Scrub Tub Cleaner – I told you I was a fan of no-scrub cleaners. I mean, who likes scrubbing? And this tub cleaner only uses 2 ingredients! Check out the before and after pictures. 63. Clean Glass Shower Doors the Easy Way – We had to include this cleaning solution for shower doors because it’s the real deal! It actually comes from a professional glass repairman and uses Hard Water Stain and Spot Remover and Commercial Scouring Pads (not the kind you can find at any old store). See? This one is legit! 64. Easily Clean Shower Head – If you need to pass a cleaning inspection, or want to get your deposit back, don’t forget to clean your shower head. You’d be amazed at how gross they get if you haven’t noticed before. Luckily, we have yet another no-scrub solution for you! Because moving is enough work already. 65. Naturally Clean Washing Machine – Can you believe the difference in the before and after picture of this washing machine?! It’s super easy to pull off too! 66. How to Clean Dryer Ducts – You could hire a professional to clean your dryer ducts, but that could cost you up to $150. OR you could follow these steps and clean your own in only 15-20 minutes.
22 Moving Day Tips
22 Moving Day Tips
The big day is here and you want to pull off a painless move, here are some of the best tips out there.
13 Things to Do After Your Move
13 Things to Do After Your Move
All these moving tips and hacks will help you get to your new home, but what do you do once you get there to remain sane! Getting set up in a new place can be overwhelming, here are a few ideas to help you transition.
97. Make a New Budget – Link is no longer available. But Chances are, there are going to be changes in your budget after your move. With the change in your rent or mortgage and your utility companies, you’re probably going to have different due dates as well as different costs. Make sure to sit down and plan out your new budget and timeline. 98. Thank Movers – Don’t forget to thank all of your friends and family members who helped you move! Aren’t these moving thank you cards the cutest?! 99. Announce Your Move – Announce your move and new address with one of these darling moving announcement cards. There are four different options for you to choose from! 100. Meet Your New Neighbors – Don’t wait for your neighbors to come over to introduce themselves. (Sometimes that just doesn’t happen.) Be proactive and introduce yourself. This little treat is the perfect way to do that. There’s even a free, printable tag. 101. Celebrate – Now that you’re all settled in, it’s time to celebrate and “break-in” your new house. winkwink* (Now this will definitely get you the “best wife” award.) Didn’t I tell you we found some great ideas?! Unfortunately, we can’t do the packing and unpacking for you. But hopefully these moving tips and hacks will make your move as painless as possible. For MORE ideas make sure to follow our “Moving Tips and Checklist” Pinterest Board. And don’t forget to check out our Moving Organization Kit!
