10 Moving Hacks You Didn't Know You Needed

Aug 30, 2024

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You might think that after a few moves, you've mastered the art of packing up and relocating. But here's the thing—moving is often more complicated than it seems, with unexpected challenges that can throw you off course.

Even experienced movers can be overwhelmed by the endless to-do lists, fragile items, and sheer volume of stuff that needs to be transported. That's where the right tricks, or hacks, come in handy.

For instance, you’re halfway through your move, and suddenly, you can't remember how to reconnect your TV cables, or you're frantically searching through dozens of boxes to find your toothbrush. Moments like these can turn a simple move into a stressful ordeal. But with the right strategies, you can prevent these headaches and keep your move on track.

The “tricks up your sleeve” aren’t just about cutting corners—they’re about working smarter, not harder. These hacks are designed to save you time by streamlining the packing process, money by using everyday items creatively, and stress by keeping everything organized and accessible. They transform what could be a chaotic day into a manageable, even smooth, transition.

So, even if you think you’ve got moving all figured out. Think again! Moving can be a headache, but you can turn chaos into calm with the moving hacks. So, what are those secret hacks that can save you time, money, and stress?

10 Surprising Moving Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed

Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With these simple yet effective moving hacks, you’ll find yourself breezing through the process:

1. Photograph Your Cables: One of the Best Moving Hacks of 2024 for Experienced Movers

Taking a photograph of your electronics setup before unplugging them is one of the most efficient moving hacks for experienced movers. This way, when you reconnect your devices, you’ll have a visual guide to follow, making the setup process quicker and hassle-free.

Step Action Example
1 Plug in your electronics TV, DVD player, gaming console
2 Take a clear photo of the cable connections Smartphone camera photo
3 Store the photo in a safe location Save it in a cloud storage or print it

Example:

If you have a home theatre system with multiple components, photographing how each cable is connected will save you from trying to remember which cable goes where making reassembly much smoother.

Related: 8 Benefits of Hiring a Professional Moving Service

2. Pack an Overnight Bag: A Must-Know Moving Hack to Reduce Stress

Description: Packing an overnight bag ensures you have immediate access to essential items, reducing stress on your first night in a new home. This moving hack keeps your necessities handy and avoids the scramble to find them among the packed boxes.

Item Purpose Example
Toiletries Personal hygiene Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo
Snacks Quick meals and energy boosts Granola bars, nuts, fruit
Essential Documents Important papers and IDs Passport, driver's license, lease
Basic Cleaning Supplies Immediate cleaning needs All-purpose cleaner, paper towels

Example:

On a moving day, you can quickly access your toothbrush, a clean change of clothes, and snacks without digging through boxes, ensuring a smoother transition.

3. Use Towels to Protect Fragile Items: Budget-Friendly Moving Hack for Families

Wrap fragile items like dishes and glassware in towels and linens. This budget-friendly moving hack saves space and provides cushioning, preventing breakage during the move.

Item Protection Method Example
Dishes Wrap each dish in a towel Stack dishes with towels in between
Glassware Use towels to cushion and wrap Wrap wine glasses individually
Small Items Place in towels or old T-shirts Pack kitchen utensils in towels

Example:

Instead of buying bubble wrap, wrap dishes and glassware with kitchen towels, effectively saving space and reducing packing costs.

4. Color-Code Your Boxes: A Moving Hack for Organizing Your Move Efficiently

Assign colors to each room and mark your boxes accordingly. This moving hack makes the unloading process much more organized and efficient, helping you quickly place boxes in the correct rooms.

Color Room Example
Red Kitchen Label boxes with red for kitchen items
Blue Bedroom Label boxes with blue for bedroom items
Green Living Room Label boxes with green for living room items
Yellow Bathroom Label boxes with yellow for bathroom items

 Example:

If you use red labels for kitchen items and blue for bedroom items, movers can quickly place boxes in their respective rooms, reducing confusion and saving time.

5. Wrap Drawers with Plastic Wrap: The Ultimate Moving Hack for Houses

 Instead of emptying your drawers, secure the contents with plastic wrap. This moving hack keeps everything in place and saves time during packing, which is especially useful for moving houses.

Step Action Example
1 Close the drawer Ensure it’s fully closed
2 Wrap with plastic wrap Cover the entire drawer securely
3 Label the wrapped drawer Label with the room and contents

Example:

For a dresser with clothes, wrapping the entire drawer with plastic wrap allows you to move the dresser without having to sort through the clothes individually.

6. Label Cables and Chargers: Stress-Free Moving Hacks for Organizing Your Move

Label each cable and charger with the device to which it belongs. This moving hack helps avoid the frustration of untangling cords and ensures a stress-free setup in your new home.

Item Labeling Method Example
Cables Use sticky labels or tape Label with "TV", "DVD Player"
Chargers Write the device name on the tape Label with "Phone Charger", "Tablet Charger"
Power Strips Attach a label with the connected devices Label with "Office Power Strip"

Example:

By labelling your chargers and cables, such as "Laptop Charger" or "TV Cable," you can quickly connect your devices without the hassle of searching for the right cable.

7. Use Garbage Bags for Hanging Clothes: Best Moving Hack of 2024 for Experienced Movers

 Slide your clothes, hangers and all, into garbage bags to keep them clean and organized during the move. This moving hack is perfect for transporting your wardrobe without having to remove everything from the hangers.

Step Action Example
1 Gather clothes on hangers Dresses, shirts, trousers
2 Slip clothes and hangers into garbage bags Use large, sturdy garbage bags
3 Tie the bag securely Ensure the bag is tightly closed

Example:

For a wardrobe full of clothes, placing the entire set of hangers in garbage bags allows you to transport your clothes efficiently and unpack them directly into your new closet.

Also Read: Hire Movers for a Short-Term Move: Tips for 2 Hours

8. Pack Plates Vertically: A Game-Changing Moving Hack to Prevent Damage

Pack plates vertically in boxes like records to minimize the risk of them breaking. This moving hack effectively keeps your dishes intact and prevents damage during the move.

Step Action Example
1 Wrap each plate in packing paper Use paper to cover each plate
2 Pack plates vertically in the box Place plates on their sides
3 Add cushioning between plates Use packing peanuts or bubble wrap

Example:

Instead of stacking plates horizontally, which can lead to breakage, packing them vertically with cushioning helps protect them from impact and ensures they arrive safely.

9. Keep Hardware in Ziploc Bags: Budget-Friendly Moving Hack for Families

Store screws, bolts, and small hardware in labelled Ziploc bags and tape them to the corresponding furniture pieces. This budget-friendly moving hack helps keep all small parts organized and easily accessible during reassembly.

Item Storage Method Example
Screws and Bolts Store in labelled Ziploc bags Label bags with "Table Legs"
Small Hardware Tape bags to furniture pieces Tape to the bottom of the chair

Example:

When disassembling a bed frame, keep all screws and bolts in labelled Ziploc bags taped to the bed's frame to ensure you don't lose any parts and can reassemble it easily.

10. Pack a “First Day” Box: The Ultimate Moving Hack to Reduce Stress

Pack a box with items you'll need immediately upon arrival at your new home. This moving hack ensures you have essential items readily available, making your first day less stressful and more organized.

Item Purpose Example
Coffee Maker Morning Coffee Include coffee and filters
Snacks Quick meals and energy boosts Granola bars, chips, fruit
Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Immediate cleaning and hygiene Keep it in the box for quick access
Basic Cleaning Supplies Tidy up the new place Multi-surface cleaner, sponges

Example:

Having a "First Day" box with essentials like a coffee maker and cleaning supplies allows you to settle in comfortably and tackle any immediate needs without digging through other packed boxes.

Related: 15 Frequently Asked Questions About Moving