Moving Essentials Checklist You’ll Actually Need Before Your Move

What Are the Most Commonly Forgotten Items?

Whatever your reasons to move are, moving out essentials can be easily overlooked. When relocating, house hunting tips are more than welcome. Yet, equally important are essential things you’ll need in your brand-new place. If you are relocating for the first time, look at the following list of items that are often left behind:

• Important documents: Be sure to pick up some tips and tricks on how to organize important papers and keep them with you at all times.
• Valuables: You probably have hidden valuables in your current home, so be sure to go through every shelf.
• Medical products: Go through your medicine cabinet and put all your medical products in a bag or a box where you’ll put other necessities.
• Items from storage: People usually tend to forget things stored in their garage, basement, attic, closets, and other storage areas.
• Phone and laptop chargers: Essential electronic devices are surprisingly often left behind. Don’t make such a mistake and check how to pack electronics for moving.
• Toiletries: Remember to bring essential toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and shower gel.
• Keys: Keys are such a small item, so they are often forgotten. Write a list of all keys you have, and be sure you put them in your bag on a relocation day.

Avoid these common moving mistakes with a simple list that will keep you organized. You may also be wondering how long before moving should I pack? The best long-distance relocation tip is to begin packing at least three months before the relocation date. Start ahead and follow our ultimate moving essentials checklist that will help you do all your relocation tasks on time.

What Supplies Do I Need for Moving?

Boxes and packing supplies are crucial relocation tools. We have decided to put these supplies first on our list because it often happens that people forget to purchase enough boxes and other materials. You’ll need a lot of these! There are different types of packing materials:

• Boxes: These are essential packing materials for moving. There are three types of box size – small, medium, and large — and it is vital to pick the best-sized boxes for moving. You don’t have to worry about what to do with them after you move. There are Freecycle and Craigslist, where you can leave your used cardboards.
• Box cutter: You’ll have to unpack after a move, so be sure to have it.
• Bubble wrap: You’ll need a bubble wrap for cushioning, especially for packaging fragile items. Learn how to use bubble wrap and wrap oddly shaped things with it.
• Labeling supplies: As soon as you pack your belongings, you must label them. You should obtain some permanent color markers and fragile stickers for your breakables.
• Packing tape: It’s crucial to get high-quality tape! Cheaper ones are too thin and won’t hold the weight of your belongings.
• Packing paper: Avoid newspapers and get packing paper for moving. If you use newspapers for wrapping your glassware, know that it will leave stains. Although you can use either bubble wrap or packing paper to cushion your belongings, it’s best if you get both.
• Stretch wrap: You can use stretch wrap to cover and protect your furniture and other bulky pieces.

Where to Find Free Boxes?

If your moving budget is tight, know that free cardboards can be found on almost every corner. For example, you can head down to your closest liquor store. They have study and extremely durable cardboards that will be very helpful. You can also find some in your nearest bookstores, offices, supermarkets, Facebook Community Groups, Freecycle, and Craigslist. These are pretty easy to find and will help you enormously reduce costs when moving. You may even have some folded in your garage, so ensure you don’t throw them away during the move-out cleaning.

Moving Essentials Checklist: What to Prepare Before You Move Into a New Apartment

When organizing your long-distance relocation, it’s crucial to keep track of things you’ll be needing the most during the first couple of days. That is why you should have a household inventory list in advance that will include all move-in essentials.  With a well-organized plan, you’ll be able to stay focused, the whole process will turn out a success, and you’ll be able to move safely. Have you been asking yourself this question—what do I need to move first when moving house? Keep reading and you’ll get the answer.

Moving Essentials: Bring Necessary Kitchen Items

It’s crucial to know how to pack kitchen items for moving because you’ll have to use those from the very beginning. It’s important to properly label all cardboards that contain things from the kitchen because you’ll save precious time when unpacking. To save space, you can always rely on the good old packing tips and tricks and get dishcloths and towels that are viable for wrapping fragile belongings such as fine china or wine glasses. Breakables can be tricky when it comes to relocation, so you should learn how to pack dishes for moving as well as how to pack silverware properly. Your basic kitchen necessities should include:

• Plates, and cereal bowl
• Water glasses and mugs
• A spatula and other cooking utensils
• A frying pan, a couple of pots, and maybe a cookie sheet
• A microwave, blender, toaster, or toaster oven
• Sandwich bags and some food storage containers.

You Can Not Call It a Home If You Don’t Prepare Bedroom Necessities

As soon as you sign your apartment lease in one of the suburbs of Chicago or any other part of the US, you should acquire a mattress. You won’t have to purchase a bed frame yet, but you would want to spend the first couple of nights comfortably. The next thing your moving necessities list should include is clean sheets. After an exhausting relocation day, a mattress and clean sheets will make a huge difference!

Before your long-distance relocation, remember to purchase a mattress topper pad, new pillows, pillowcases, and all other bedding that will make your bedroom feel comfortable.

And the last thing you should obtain for your bedroom is coat hangers. You surely don’t want your clothing unpacked and scattered around your new place. The sooner you put it in a dresser, the sooner your place will feel like home.

Toilet Paper and Other Bathroom Necessities

Toilet paper is pretty much in daily use for all of us, but you would be surprised to know how many people forget to pack a few rolls of it. Be sure to pack up at least two rolls of toilet paper per bathroom. It will save you the trouble of going out to buy some while you’re unpacking.

After a tiring relocation day, you’ll surely want to take a shower. If you don’t want to ruin your brand-new floors, you should purchase a shower curtain, hooks, and liner before the relocation. Remember to bring some towels as well!

Check out some tricks on how to pack makeup for moving and don’t forget to bring basic toiletries:

• Toiletry bag
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Facial cleanser
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush or comb
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash
• Razor
• Tube of shaving cream.

Bringing a Cleaning Kit Is Important

If you have already found your new home and have access to it, we highly recommend cleaning it in advance before you start moving furniture in. Entering a clean home will surely decrease relocation depression as well. However, it’s completely fine if you don’t have that much time on your hands. Therefore, during the relocation, you should come prepared with a cleaning kit. Be ready to see a lot of dust and dirt that comes along with the long-distance movers and your cardboards. These are the basic cleaning necessities you should bring with you:

• Sponges and rags
• Dish and laundry soap
• Hand soap
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Multi-purpose spray and Clorox wipes
• Broom and a dustpan
• Dust cloths or rags
• Garbage bags
• Small vacuum or handheld vacuum

Keep Your First Aid Kit Close

Unfortunately, accidents can easily happen. Whether you cut a finger while opening cardboards or sprain an ankle while carrying stuff from one room to another, the situation is not pleasant at all. That’s why you should have a first aid kit in an easy-access spot. Try to equip it with:

• Ace bandages;
• Anti-inflammatory medicine;
• Cold medicine and cough drops;
• Antiseptic wipes and gauze pads;
• Antibiotic ointment and band-aids;
• Cold pack and an ointment for muscle pain relief.

Don’t Forget About Pets And Their First Night Needs

If you’re moving with pets, remember to pack your pet food and dishes. Leashes and medications for your animal friend are also a necessity. Whether you’re moving to a smaller home or relocating to a big house with a backyard, you should prepare a pet’s corner and make your furry friend comfortable. Know that animals are highly sensitive to changing environment. They like familiar surroundings, so give your best to provide cozy areas in your new place.

Put These Miscellaneous Items on Your Moving Necessities List

The following stuff should also be part of your list of essentials for moving out:

• Reusable water bottles: Prepare these instead of the plastic ones. They are good for the environment!
• Tissues: Remember to bring a few packs of tissues. It’s good to have it during relocation, especially if you’re moving in winter.
• Office equipment: You’ll have to use scissors, pens, markers, and tape during your relocation.
• Light bulbs: You don’t want to spend the first night in your apartment in the dark. Bringing light bulbs is among handy moving hacks that will surely make the whole relocation process easier.
• Space heater: If you’re relocating during cold days, remember to bring a space heater! It can easily happen that the primary heating system doesn’t work correctly.
• Umbrella: It can be advantageous to have an umbrella or a raincoat with you, especially if you’re relocating during stormy weather.
• Batteries: In a world of technology, where many things are controlled remotely, having batteries when you move is pretty essential. Whether used in TV controllers, smoke detectors, or AC remotes, not having them would create a stressful environment. They can also come in handy when using a flashlight.
• Fire extinguisher: Whether you’re bringing your extinguisher from the old place or buying a new one, it’s important to have it near just in case. Be sure to check your fire alarms as well.

What to Do on Moving in Day: Essential Tips

Some of the following things are already mentioned above, but you should double-check if these are packed when the relocation day comes. Be sure that you can easily reach them when you arrive in your new place:

• Clean bedding and pillows for the comfortable first night sleep
• It might be useful to have a tool kit to assemble pieces of furniture
• Pack phone, laptop, and tablet chargers
• Bring enough water and some snacks such as fruit, nuts, or granola bars. These don’t require refrigeration, preparation, or utensils
• Prepare a small overnight bag that will include pajamas, a change of clothes, and toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant)
• If you’re moving with kids, be sure to bring your child’s’ favorite toy
• Want to celebrate with a glass of wine as soon as you move-in? Remember to bring a corkscrew!

Stick to Your Moving Essentials Checklist and Hire the Best Cross Country Movers

By sticking to your checklist, you’ll keep everything under control during your move and while you’re settling in. Relocation is a demanding process that can also cause a lot of stress. Anxiety about moving out can be avoided with reliable cross-country moving services. Professional long-distance movers and packers will also provide high-quality packing services and clean storage units. Unless you’re driving to your new location, you should consider getting auto shipping services as well. With an efficient cross-country moving company and moving essentials checklist, the entire process will be smooth and relaxed!