10 Overlooked Moving Essentials

A successful move gets you to your new home with your sanity intact. That said, your first day in your new house is probably going to be stressful. Settling into a new home and community almost always is. But these overlooked moving essentials will help smooth the rough edges and make your transition as easy and happy as possible.

Checklist

Moves are complicated, but checklists make them simple. Start your checklist as soon as you know you’re going to be moving. It should cover every aspect of the process: when you need to hire movers, when you need to buy boxes, when you need to activate your utilities, when you need to change your address, when each room needs to be packed, etc.

Overnight Bag

When you move long distance, there’s always a chance you’ll arrive before your belongings. More likely, you’ll be so tired at the end of the day, you won’t have the energy to unpack and find the things you need. That’s why overnight bags are so essential. They give you easy access to everything you need to survive until you get your bedroom and bathroom set up. They should contain:

• Spare Clothes. Pants, shirts, socks, underwear, and pajamas. If you’re going into work, remember to pack at least one business outfit, including shoes.
• Basic Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, comb, deodorant, razor, shaving cream, nail clippers.
• Medications. Any medicine, vitamins or prescriptions you take on a daily basis.

Kid’s Bag

Moves are hard on everyone, but especially children. They rely on familiar comforts, so the change of scenery can be incredibly stressful for them. In order to keep them from becoming overwhelmed, make sure they have their own bag, filled with fun and soothing items, such as:

Shower Supplies

After unloading all your boxes and furniture, one of the first things you’ll want to do is take a shower. However, that’s going to be difficult without towels, a bathmat, and a shower curtain. Soap and shampoo won’t hurt either, just make sure they’re stored safely in a plastic bag, in order to contain spills. Some homeowners double bag them for extra protection.

Sleeping Supplies

Your bedroom should be one of the first things you set up when you arrive at your new home. However, since there’s no guarantee you’ll have the time or energy to get it ready that first night, bring along some basic sleep stuff, such as an air mattress, sleeping bags, and pillows. Otherwise, you might spend your first night huddling on the cold floor.

Cleaning Supplies

There’s no way of knowing whether the last owners cleaned the place before moving out, so it’s always good to bring some cleaning supplies along in the car. No doubt, you’ll find some spots you’ll want to clean before the furniture is moved in and tidying an empty house is considerably easier than a full one. Wipes, sponges, scrub brush, toilet brush, laundry detergent, hand soap, paper towels, cleaning spray, hand broom, and dustpan should be enough to clear away any messes you might find.

Tool Kit

Unless they’re newly constructed, few houses are sold in perfect condition. Most of the issues you’ll find in your new home will likely be minor (loose screws, protruding nails, etc.), but with a few basic tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, utility knife, adjustable wrench, tape measure, and pliers, you’ll be able to easily tackle them.

Chargers

Smartphones and tablets are some of the most versatile devices in our homes. We rely on them for entertainment, communication, even to pay our bills. In order to make sure yours are fully powered while you’re out on the road, pack a few charging cables in your overnight bag. Bring at least two, just in case another family member needs to charge theirs at the same time. A fully charged phone ensures you’ll be able to talk to your moving team throughout the process and address any hiccups you encounter along the way.

Plastic Bags

One of the most overlooked moving essentials, plastic bags are cheap, strong, and versatile. Besides garbage, they’re also an easy way to haul last minute items you missed while packing.

Personal Documents

Passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses, medical records, titles, and deeds should be kept with you at all times, along with any paperwork relating to your move: invoices, inventories, work orders, etc. That way, if there’s a dispute, you’ll have the right documents on hand to sort things out.

Allied Moving Essentials

Allied streamlines the moving process, with packaging materials and packing services that protect your belongings en route to their new home. Our agents work to provide you with essential moving resources at every stage of the process, so you reach your destination faster and smoother. Contact us today for a free quote!