Moving & Packing Tips for Portable Storage

Moving from one home to another is both a time of great excitement and great stress. Storage 2U is here to help make your moving experience as smooth as possible. 

A smooth moving process begins with a good plan that starts before the boxes arrive. Here are some moving and packing tips that will help to ensure that your move goes off without a hitch. 

Getting Ready

  • Designate one drawer or a dresser for first-night essentials (sheets, towels, toiletries, plates). Load this last, unload it first.
  • Reduce your load by having a garage sale beforehand. Consider the cost of shipping vs the cost of replacement for cross-country moves.
  • Pack seldom-used or out-of-season items ahead of time
  • Notify friends & relatives of your move. Start submitting change-of-address forms to the post office.
  • If you have kids, arrange all documents for changing kid’s schools
  • Gather all important personal, insurance, medical and dental documents
  • Arrange disconnect and reconnect of utilities, internet and other services such as cable t.v.
  • Transfer banking (savings accounts, personal loans) to the new location
  • Return any borrowed or rented items, such as library books

Moving boxes ready for packing

Packing

  • Keep your pets out of the way (at a friends house) during loading
  • pack heavy items in small boxes, light items in larger boxes (to keep weights more consistent)
  • Remove bulbs from lamps
  • Put pictures in boxes between sheets, blankets or towels for extra protection
  • Stack plates and record albums on end vertically, not flat and stacked
  • Have kids label their own room’s boxes so they become familiar with the new address

hand dangles keys in foreground with moving boxes in the background.

Finishing Off

  • Clean all appliances, including the oven. Defrost the fridge
  • Before the van leaves for your destination, give the driver a phone number where you can be reached (If you don’t have a cellphone, this is a good time to get one with a pay-as-you-go plan)
  • Write down your move Registration Number in case you have any questions.
  • After cleaning your refrigerator, put a half-cup of coffee grinds, baking soda or charcoal in a sock to keep it smelling fresh.
  • Wrap plants well for cold-weather moving (layers of cleaner bags are great). In hot weather, keep them away from windows and exterior walls of vans.
  • Check all shelves, closets, and storage areas for items left behind

For more answers about portable storage units, see our FAQ.