FEATURED STORY
Moving? Don’t Forget to Declutter
The average American will move 11.4 times in his or her lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And the Organizing Blog thinks that summer 2019 may be more mobile than most — those orange box trucks seem to be everywhere this season, taking people and their stuff across town and across the country. One […]
TALES FROM THE CLOSET
Tales from the Closet brings you all the reading material you need to become and expert at organizing.
ORGANIZING WEBSITES
Use the list of resources below when its time to organize your things. No matter how big or small the job is, you’ll find any one of these websites helpful.
Hoarders Help
It's time to remove the emotional value from the items you never use and the ones that clutter up your home. Remove the clutter and get organizational advice.
Quick Tips
Document Your Move in Pictures
Moving? Start Packing in the Kitchen
How to Pack for a Move
Make a Timetable for Your Move
- View All
Document Your Move in Pictures
A smartphone or other camera can be of great assistance when you’re moving, says Lifehack. Simply use it to snap pictures of the backs of your televisions, Wi-Fi routers, stereos and other electronic equipment, and you’ll be able to duplicate the setups in a new location quickly and easily. Pictures can also help you file an insurance claim if anything is lost or damaged in transit; simply take pictures of your more valuable items as you pack, and you’ll be able to demonstrate the items’ original condition should anything be scratched, dented, misplaced or stolen.
Moving? Start Packing in the Kitchen
With all of its specialized appliances and accoutrements, the kitchen is arguably the most time-intensive area of the house to pack up during a move. Start on it first, The Frugal Girls advise, and consider switching to disposable plates for the final weeks ahead of the zero hour. Speaking of disposable plates, you can use Styrofoam plates to pad your fragile, reusable dinnerware when packing—simply place a foam plate in-between pottery plates when stacking. And if you want everything to survive the move without damage, don’t skimp on the bubble wrap and shrinkwrap, they add.
How to Pack for a Move
To streamline the packing process before a move, U-Haul advised Denver Post writer Marni Jameson, make a little-used area of your old place into a packing station and stock it with flattened boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers and other supplies. Use small boxes for heavier items; not only will it save your back and your movers’, it will also be more secure for the contents. Use trash bags for soft items. If you are moving locally, take hanging clothing directly to your new closets. Finally, don’t move empty dressers and suitcases. Fill them with stuff to maximize truck space.
Make a Timetable for Your Move
The sooner you start packing, the easier a move will be, says Georgetown Moving & Storage. Six to eight weeks ahead, start cleaning out the so-called storage areas — closets, attic, garage, and basement — using the keep/donate/trash sorting method. Once anything you want to donate is culled out (four to six weeks ahead), contact ClothingDonations.org for a pickup and procure packing supplies for the stuff you want to keep. Two to four weeks ahead, pack up all of your inessentials, labeling everything so you can integrate it into the new home quickly. A week out, pack up anything you’ll want to have at your fingertips the minute you land in your new home.