Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Make your next move easier with these moving hacks

Nobody likes to move. Stuff can go missing, backs can take a beating and nerves can be tested.

But moving doesn’t have to be a painful process. A little planning and a couple of easy hacks can make moving a breeze. Here are some suggestions to try.

To move hanging clothes ...

Slide garbage bags over the clothes hanging in your closet. Cinch and secure the garbage bags around the necks of the hangers. When you arrive at your new place, simply hang the clothes up and remove the garbage bags.

To move dishes ...

Stack breakable plates between Styrofoam plates to keep your china from breaking.

To avoid messes ...

Cover bottles of liquid — toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc. — with a small piece of plastic wrap to avoid spills. Remove the top, cover the opening in a layer of plastic wrap, then screw the top back on. For makeup compacts, stuff with a cotton ball to protect cosmetics from cracking and spilling.

To pack double duty ...

Wrap bowls, cups, mugs and other fragile items in T-shirts. You won’t have to pay for bubble wrap, you’ll pack multiple items at once, and your dishes and glassware won’t get dirty, as they would in newspaper.

To pack jewelry ...

Use eggs cartons to pack and move earrings, rings and other small baubles. Just be sure to tape the crates shut.

Use toilet paper rolls for bracelets and necklaces. String each through the inside of the roll, then clasp on the outside of the roll.

To move drawers ...

For drawers that hold relatively light items, wrap the entire drawer, with everything in it, in heavy-duty plastic wrap, available at moving supply and hardware stores. Better yet, if the dresser and its contents both are light and not fragile, wrap the entire piece of furniture intact. Steer clear of this method on heavier items, though. They may rip the plastic.

To set up electronics easily ...

Take photos of the backs of your television, computer and other electronics before disconnecting them. Use the photos as a guide for how to configure the devices when you reconnect them in your new home.

To carry boxes more easily ...

For boxes without handles, make your own for easier lifting. Cut small rectangles from two sides of each box to create strong handles.

To stay organized ...

Label moving boxes on their sides rather than their tops so you can see the labels when the boxes are stacked. Color code boxes by room using duct tape, markers or stickers for easy unpacking.

To keep doors open ...

Wrap a rubber band around an inside doorknob, then cross the rubber band by twisting it once and wrap it around the outside doorknob to block the door’s locking mechanism. This will prevent you from getting locked out, and you won’t need to fiddle trying to twist doorknobs while carrying a load.

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