Moving Essentials Checklist – Things You Can’t Relocate Without

In long-distance moving, 73% of all the things people relocate are household items. But we can all agree that not all belongings are equally important. Some belongings are considered as moving essentials, necessary for daily functioning. At the same time, others can be buried in boxes for a couple of months without ever thinking about them.

Some items are just necessary for our day-to-day routines. Therefore, knowing where moving necessities are is of utmost importance. We prepared a detailed list of belongings you must think about when cross-country moving. Take a pen and write it down, and your journey can begin.

What Supplies Do You Need to Move? Essentials for Moving Out

If, for some reason, you didn’t hire a long-distance moving company for a packing service, then getting the right packing supplies must be on your moving-to-do list. Depending on your relocation budget, your moving-out essentials can be high-quality, expensive packing materials, which most cross-country movers use, or you can get cheaper supplies and try to work with them. Most people don’t know that these supplies come for free once you hire long-distance movers to pack for you. And while we are at free stuff, you can find some of it in the vicinity. Just go to your local grocery store and ask them where you can get free boxes. Or open your closet and get some blankets and towels.

On the other hand, here are some of the supplies you have to buy:

• Packing paper,
• Cushioning,
• Bubble wrap,
• Duct tape and duct tape gun,
• Plastic wrap,
• Labels and sticky notes,
• Permanent markers.

If you contact and hire movers for long-distance moving services, they will bring all protective materials for your furniture, electronics, and other large and bulky items. The same service will be for local moving as well. Contact your movers and ask about these options and consider this when buying supplies.

Relocation Day Is Here What Moving Essentials do You need?

When you start with packing, hopefully weeks before your big day, think about the most commonly forgotten things to pack, and while you are doing so, put all necessary stuff aside. Go through your important documents and valuable belongings and bring them with you and leave behind items movers won’t move. Take a look at our list of things people most often forget and make sure you don’t join the ranks:

• Headphones,
• Chargers,
• Keys,
• Credit cards and cash,
• Snacks,
• ID cards.

Prepare an Overnight Bag – A Checklist of All the Things You Must Have

Once your movers arrive, they will load all of your belongings on a truck. Depending on your arrangements, you will go to your city of choice by plane or driving. Either way, you will need a bag of basic items with you for traveling and for a couple of days until you unpack everything.

If you plan to drive, you can bring more things with you, but you’ll be exhausted, especially if you are relocating with kids. On the other hand, if you take auto shipping as part of your cross-country moving services, you will have more energy for unpacking. As we mentioned, you will want a bag of necessities for a couple of days upon your arrival, and here is what you must put inside:

• Clean clothes for a couple of days,
• Underwear,
• Hygiene products,
• Laptops and phones,
• Valuable items and documents,
• Medication,
• Special nutrition if needed,
• First aid kit,
• Wifi router and internet cables,
• Packed shoes.

All the Things You Need for a Fresh Start in Your New Apartment

Aside from your overnight bag, you will have to fill some boxes with all the necessary stuff in there. You should also label these boxes properly (write “essential” on them) and put them in a truck last, so they are the first things your movers will unload. And this way, they will be at your disposal right away. One of the best relocating hacks is to make boxes of necessities from every room.

Moving-in Tool Kit – For Comfortable Unpacking

Picture this: you are at your new home and don’t know where the fuse box is, so the house is in the dark, and boxes are all over the place. This is especially tricky if you are relocating in winter. For this reason, you should always have with you a tool kit in case you have to screw or unscrew something and, most importantly, to fix something if it’s broken. Aside from the standard tools you have in your kit, add flashlights in case there is no electricity, some batteries for smoke detectors, and a box cutter and scissors for easier unpacking.

Get Your Home Cleaning Supplies

When relocating for the first time, people usually forget to bring cleaning supplies to their new home, only to realize they can’t start doing anything until they clean each room, cabinet, and closet. And this is especially important if you are relocating from an apartment to a house since you’ll have more ground to cover. Aside from your vacuum cleaner, here are some things you must put in the cleaning necessities:

• Sponges,
• Brush,
• Universal cleaner or some other disinfection solution,
• Cloths.

Checklist of Kitchen Necessities

Once you start packing pots and pans, think about your first couple of days in your new home. Aside from cleaning and unpacking, you’ll have to eat as well. And yes you can order food or go to a restaurant but some snacks or coffee you will want to have at home. Put aside some spoons, forks, mugs, and pack plates for each family member. Take some zip lock bags and put some spices inside. Take one pot you can use for frying and cooking. Even if you plan not to cook, it is better to be safe than sorry. You do not want to pack glasses! Mugs are better because you can drink both hot and cold drinks from them. And you are good to go!

Bathroom Essentials You Genuinely Must Have

You are coming from a long trip, entering your new home filled with stuff, and the first thing you would do is go to the bathroom and wash your hands. And while you are doing that, you’ll feel thankful that you listened to the best relocation tip and packed all your toiletries, with soap and toilet paper in there. Also, after a long day, what is the better way to get rid of all relocation stress than with a nice bath? Here are some other things to put there:

• Towels,
• Hairdryer,
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.

Make a Bed and Sleep Tight

One of the answers to the question “What should you not do when moving” is forgetting where you put your bedding. Can you imagine, after a long day of chaos and hard work, you don’t know in which box your sheets, pillows, and blankets are. The first thing to do after the relocation is to set up your bedrooms. Therefore pack all your and your family bedding in one box, label it properly and tell your movers to put it in your bedroom right away. A good night’s sleep is something you’ll need for the next couple of days.

Don’t Forget About Your Kids’ Necessities

You’re probably thinking, “why do I have to pack a box of necessities solely for my kids?” For starters, if they are occupied, they will not get in your way so much. Once you set foot in your new house, babyproof one room and place your offspring there. Your kids’ move-in essentials are their toys, video games, movies, and tablets. So make sure to set up the internet as one of the first steps. If you are relocating with a newborn, the following things should be on your moving essentials checklist:

• Baby formula,
• Two bottles,
• Diapers,
• Favorite toy,
• Change of clothes,
• Pacifier,
• Medical records,
• Garbage bags,
• Car seat,
• Cold container.

Pets Will Need Their Stuff Too

As you know, a change of environment can be really stressful for your furry friend. Of course, if you are relocating with pets, they will adapt in time, but to avoid any unnecessary stress they might have with many unknown people going in and out of the house, make a space for them. Like with kids, clear one room where you can put their bed, food, and toys. If you are relocating with a dog, the best will be to take him for a walk around the neighborhood so they can get to know the surroundings, and the adjustment will be much easier and faster.

What Should You Move First When Moving?

Aside from necessities, you have to pack other belongings with extra care too. Of course, if you hire a long-distance moving company, you wouldn’t need to break your head around this problem, but it is always good to know how to pack your items properly. Here are some packing tips every professional mover will give you. First thing first – reinforce your boxes before filling them. Heavy items should go on the bottom and lighter on top of them. Cushioning should go between each layer. When relocating furniture made of wood, protect it with a sheet. Never use plastic wrap, especially if you plan to put them in storage units. Furthermore, do a deep cleaning of all belongings before putting them in storage. And last, when packing a truck, heavy and bulky furniture should go first and your necessities last. Check out this video for more tips on how to prepare your stuff for storage.

Enjoy Your New Home and Book Your Movers on Time

The most important and essential advice is to remember to sit back and enjoy a new chapter of your life. And what is the better way to do so than hiring a long-distance moving company to do all the work for you? Don’t worry – aside from packing and moving, you will have a lot of things to do yourself, like dealing with cleaning and unpacking everything. But if you fill your necessities bag the way we suggested, you will have much more time to do all of it at your pace. Once you set your bedroom and bathroom, other rooms can be set in time. Having your necessities ready is especially important if you are relocating for a job. You will have no time to deal with unpacking except after work or during weekends. Consider that when deciding what to put among your essentials, and don’t forget to put iron too. And finally, make sure you contact your movers at least one month in advance so you can sort everything on time.