Moving is listed as one of the most stressful life events – after losing a loved one or your job. It involves many tasks and details, from finding a new home to a moving company, a new school for your children and doctors for the family, informing many parties of the change of address, etc. And there’s the packing and unpacking. Not only it is physically demanding, even if you outsource it, but it is also emotionally draining as you worry about your belongings being misplaced or damaged, especially if they’re going to stay in storage for a while.
Packing Tips Do’s and Don’ts
I’ve helped many families in Singapore organise their moves and I’ve consolidated a list of packing tips. Those do’s and don’ts include valuable packing tips from my clients and followers. I hope they’ll give you some peace of mind if a move is on the table for you.
DO
- Make lists such as:
- what you’ll need till the last minute in your current home
- what you’ll need for immediate use in your future home
- what might need to be air-shipped
- what might go into storage
- what you’re planning to sell, donate or give away, etc.
- If you can afford the space, have interim storage areas clearly labelled for each of the above that applies to you – to avoid things being mixed up.
- Wrap carefully – to prevent damage
- Use cushions and towels to protect items from moving around – to prevent damage
- Use standing wardrobe hanger box for your hanging clothes – to save time and creases
- Remove batteries from toys, remotes, etc. – to avoid the risk of leakage
- Pack clothes and bedlinen in vacuum bags – to prevent moist and save volume
- Add plenty of desiccant moisture absorption packs in boxes containing clothing, bedlinen, soft toys, and leather (shoes and bags) – to prevent damage due to moist
- Fill your (designer) handbags with acid-free tissue paper or clothes, put them inside their dustbag, or wrap them in clothes, towels, or bed linen – to protect their shape
- Use ziplock bags for:
- Lego sets – to avoid the risk of losing a critical part
- Toiletries, make-up (in particular nail polish and nail polish remover), and medicine coming in a liquid form, should you really need to keep them – in case of leakage
- Screws and hardware when disassembling furniture and stick it to the corresponding piece of furniture – to avoid the risk of losing a critical part
- Label each box on its 4 sides. Indicate which future room the box belongs to and whether the box should be opened in priority – to save time when unpacking
DON’T
- Don’t pack items that you no longer need, use, or love. Also items that won’t find a home in your new home, including electrical appliances that have a different voltage than in your destination country
- Don’t mix things from different rooms in the same box – to save time and frustration when unpacking
- Don’t put precious items such as wedding photo albums on top of the box. Or put something light and thick like a pillow or cushion on top of it – to make sure they don’t get damaged when opening the box
- Don’t pack items that come in a liquid form, especially if they have already been opened – to prevent the risk of leakage
- Don’t pack candles – they can melt
- Don’t pack valuables (important documents, vital records, jewellery, hard discs). Instead keep them in your carry-on luggage – in case they get lost or stolen
What else would you add to this list? Please comment below.
Need some help to plan your move and remove some stress out of it? Let’s chat! That’s something we can do in an onsite or online consultation.
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