i Should Be Packing...

I should probably be packing but I thought I'd share what I've learned about moving after moving 5 or 6 times (I've lost count) in the past 4 years.
- Label every box with kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, etc. Make sure whoever is helping you move knows to deliver each box to the proper room. It makes unpacking so much faster and easier.
- Wrap breakables in bath or beach towels.
- Pillows, blankets and comforters can also work for padding framed photos, pictures and breakables.
- Laundry baskets are perfect for moving shoes, small unbreakable items or even a few books. Dump them out and bring them back to be filled up again.
- Pack up the little clutter-y things first! Pens, random papers, little knick-knacks, batteries, etc. I hate having to deal with all the little annoying, last minute things after everything else is all moved out. Same for closets and cabinets. Get them packed up first.
- Have boxes waiting and ready at the door or even outside the door for whoever is helping you load up. That way no one is wandering around waiting for you to finish packing a box or wondering which box to pick up next.
- If you're moving out of an apartment don't worry about cleaning before you move out. Your apartment cabinets/floors/baseboards/windows, etc are going to be throughly cleaned before the next tenants move in.
- Make sure a couple trash cans, paper towels, toilet paper and soap are the very first things that are unpacked at the new place and a set of the same items need to be the very last things that leave the old place.
- It's good to have a couple chairs, drinks and snacks available at the new place and at the old place for yourself and whoever is helping out.
- Kids toys and possibly places for napping need to be set up at both places for a day or two.
- Suitcase and duffle bags also great for packing shoes, breakables or clothes. You can even wrap small breakables inside a shoe.
- Hang up hanging clothes immediately in new place.
- If you painted your apartment walls and have to repaint them before moving out usually one coat of Kilz primer is good enough. Don't worry about making sure your paint doesn't show through. {Double check with your management but in our experience all they want is the walls covered with primer.} The walls will be painted before a new tenant moves in and one coat of Kilz primer should be good enough.
- Move anything that's small enough and really special by yourself. I'll be moving my laptop and at least one lamp myself.
- Extra purses & diaper bags are also good for moving small items.
- And this something new I'll be trying new this time: A crock-pot meal going at the new place for dinner Saturday evening. We won't have to worry about cooking or going out. Perfect.
And that's all I have. What are your tips for moving?