How to Move: A Complete Guide to Avoid Headache

The process of moving house or apartment can be boring and complicated, but that's not why it needs to be a reason for headaches. Although tiring, moving is a very important moment to clearly identify what should go on in your life and what can be discarded. More than a change of physical location, it is also a great time for internal changes and detachments, besides beingideal for making donations and recycling.

With an open mind we can transform this often uncomfortable moment into a unique moment of reflection on what is useful or not in the new home.

Paula Roberta da Silva, brand manager of Dona Resolve, a cleaning and organization franchise, reveals a series of practices that can be applied in different stages of the move, from the stage before the tidying up of the old house to the part of placing the objects in the new one.identify what can be left" says Paula.

Planning the move

Planning is always important when it comes to moving, as this is not a simple and hardly a quick process. The following eight tips serve to make the preparation phase as smooth and less stressful as possible, with maximum organization and cleanliness.

1. Discard objects:
To identify what does and doesn't fit, ask questions such as "is it broken?", "can it be repaired?", "is it too old?", "is it used frequently?"; this helps to identify the need for the item in question.
2. Gather cardboard boxes: collect as many boxes as possible, of different sizes, but always in good condition, since they need to hold the weight without disassembling. Usually supermarkets and large appliance stores give away cardboard boxes that will not be used, it is a simple and costless way to get the material.
3. Separate newspapers: separate newspapers for packing more fragile objects, as they will be essential to ensure that nothing is broken when it comes time to box everything up.
4. Make lists: lists help when organizing which room in the new house each object is destined for and are essential in this phase of the move when everything is organized in boxes, so that each one of them will be taken to the correct place when they arrive at the new home.
5. Write "fragile" on the boxes with delicate objects: it may seem futile, but this tip is very important when there are other people helping in the move. With the word "fragile" written on the boxes, everyone will take more care and the more delicate objects run less risk of breaking in the middle of the journey.
6. Identify the boxes: use crepe tape and specific stickers for packaging, which will not peel off easily, to describe what each box contains.
7. Start by packing less frequently used items: always leave the items that are used the most last, so you don't run the risk of having to open a box or a package to get a toothbrush, for example.
8. Provide bubble wrap: Bubble wrap is important for packing thin and delicate items, as is newspaper. It is always good to have both at hand to decide which is better for a particular item.

How to organize the move

Ten basic steps, listed below based on Paula's information, will help the resident not to have any problems with the planning part, so that everything goes as planned.

1. Packing:
Pack what you don't use on a daily basis first and leave the everyday items last.
2. Separate the sizes of the boxes: use the small boxes to pack small items from each room, especially decorative objects. Medium boxes are good for larger items such as appliances and kitchen utensils. Always opt for small and medium boxes as they are easier to carry.
3. Labeling: it is essential for the organization to always label the boxes so that you know what is inside, even when the boxes are different and it seems easy to know what is in each one. The moving process is tiring and almost never done by only one person, so this is one of the most important parts of the whole organization.
4. Reinforce the bottom of the cardboard boxes with tape: it is very important that the boxes are in good condition, but it is good to give a "hand" and reinforce well especially those that will serve to store more weight
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5. Packing delicate objects with bedding: Use blankets and comforters to pack large delicate objects, such as a lampshade, so that the larger bedding does not need to be packed separately and helps keep objects safe
6. Storing clothes in suitcases instead of boxes: this is another way of using an object for another function; the suitcases will already have to go to the new house, nothing more natural than filling them with clothes. Besides saving space, it is more hygienic, especially when it comes to lingerie and thinner clothes.
7. Avoid plastic bags: plastic bags are less resistant, so it is better to use them only for packing small things that are not fragile.
8. Pack the screws and other small items in small bags: use small bags to pack the screws and other small parts so they don't get lost in the other moving boxes, and put them together with the furniture or object they belong to.
9. Covering pictures with cardboard: Place the cardboard on the picture and tie it with string before wrapping it with bubble wrap, so that the piece will be safer from scratches or damage.
10. Roll up rugs and carpets: to make them take up less space and not collect dust during the move, the tip is to roll up the rugs and carpets and tie them up with string or even shoelaces.

How to make packing for moving

This can be a difficult time when it comes to storing the different items in the house, each object has its own specificity and there are different ways of packing them so that nothing runs the risk of breaking or being damaged during the move.

1. Food and liquids:
use hermetically sealed plastic bags to store already opened bottles, jars, and containers; they prevent leakage.
2. Ceramics and glass: all materials that might break during the move should be packed with newspaper, one by one. Lids should also be packed separately.
3. Mattresses: Cover the sides of the mattresses with envelope-type sheets, this prevents them from getting dirty. The sheets are easily washable, unlike mattresses.
4. Small objects: for small objects it is essential to have a small box to store them and not lose them. For a more effective organization it is recommended to separate them by categories and wrap them with colored paper so that they can be found easily.
5. Disassembled materials or objects: the ideal is to keep them in plastic wrap so they don't get lost during the move, never forgetting to label them with the proper description.
6. Cookware: Cookware such as plates, glass cups, and china is delicate and should be packed one by one with newspaper or bubble wrap - and identified in the "fragile" box.
7. Wood: To protect wooden furniture from possible scratches during the move, use blankets and comforters to pack them.
8. Books: books can be placed either vertically or horizontally as long as they are all placed in one box, or in as few packages as possible.
9. Computers and electronics: it is best to pack computers and electronics in their original packaging, since they are the perfect size and still have small Styrofoam or cardboard protectors.

How to organize items after the move

This is the time to unpack and put everything in its new place. Those who think that at this point the move is over and that they can just open random boxes and put the objects away are mistaken. Organization is also very important so that the boxes don't lie around for days, or even months, and the move never actually takes place. The brand manager Dona Resolve lists seven important tips forthis stage of the change.

1. Where to leave the boxes:
As the boxes will be identified, the important thing at this point is to leave each one in its specific room, this makes the organization easier and doesn't let any object get lost.
2. Which room to start with: it is recommended to start the organization in the bathroom and then move on to the kitchen and bedroom, respectively, because there are foods and objects that will be used more often.
3. What to unpack first: It is important to remove first the fragile objects that have been identified in the box, so that the risk of breaking an item is lower.
4. It is still possible to unpack: check, after unpacking the boxes, if there are still parts or objects of any kind that can still be discarded. With the perspective of the new space it is possible to identify new items that can be dispensed with.
5. Unpack the most used items first: it may not be possible to clean the whole kitchen in one day, for example, so the tip is to separate the main items such as plates, cutlery, glasses, and pans, so that it is easier to access materials that will be used on a daily basis.
6. In what order to put the objects: if possible, the ideal is to follow the order from largest to smallest. For example: in the bedroom, put together the closet and the bed and then unpack the clothes and decorative items.
7. Organize the closet: This is a great opportunity to organize the closet and separate the pieces by color, utility, and season. This way the closet will be organized efficiently after the move.

Although these tips make the whole moving process easier, it is important to emphasize that everything must be done with a lot of patience. After all, this is the time to put everything in its place and make the new house cozy and with personality.

Should I hire a moving service?

There are some solutions when it comes to moving, one of them is to hire a specialized service to help in the whole process: "To do so, it is important to check reliable indications and always confirm schedules to avoid surprises and possible delays", Paula Roberta da Silva points out.

In case the resident wishes to do the move by himself, there is nothing that the specialized companies do that cannot be done with patience, planning, organization, and cleaning, besides, of course, will. The professional adds: "the best thing is to set up a task force with friends and family".

9 golden tips when moving

To facilitate this moment that requires so much dedication and to help ensure that nothing is forgotten, the following nine points are general and practical guidelines that cannot go unnoticed before making the change.

1. Make a list with timelines so that the move can be done smoothly;
2. Check all important documents;
3. Check what needs to be brought before you start moving;
4. Communicate the new address in places necessary to receive mail correctly;
5. Check the voltage of the new house and make sure the appliances are in the same category;
6. Check insurance issues as they usually vary depending on where you live;
7. If you have pets, check beforehand how the transportation will be done so that it will be safe;
8. Provide at least one month in advance all the materials for the move, such as tape, newspapers, cardboard boxes, etc.
9. If you live in a building, inform the doorman or the super on the moving day, so as to avoid possible displacement problems.

By following these simple tips and the professional's guidance for each phase of the process, the move can go from being a headache to becoming less stressful, if each step is planned with care and attention. Moreover, if the change of home also represents a change of life, it can be much more pleasant.