How to pack for a move on your own

• Make a checklist
• Sanitise everything
• Declutter
• Sell
• Buy packing items
• Handle with care
• Pack sequentially 
• Label

“How should I start packing for a move?” This is a common question that we ask ourselves when we plan to move homes. Moving homes takes time and if you’re doing your own packing, it’s important to make sure you plan carefully. If you’re moving to a new rental apartment in Dubai or upgrading to a beautiful family villa, you can simply follow these helpful packing tips on how to pack for a move and before you know it you will be relaxing in your new space!

HOW TO PACK FOR A MOVE? 

Moving into a new house is a step into the unknown. Hence, it’s natural for things to be a bit stressful. So what can you do to make the moving process a bit easier? Take a look at our helpful tips and learn more about the efficient ways to pack for a move!

MAKE A CHECKLIST 

One of the first things to do when you are shifting homes is to prepare a checklist so you don’t miss out on any items. Note the items you have and want to take with you. Mark it down on the list as you pack them. Once you are unpacking, recheck to ensure everything from the list is present.

BE CAREFUL ABOUT HYGIENE  

Considering the fact that we are living through a global health emergency, when you start packing, make sure to prepare yourself with masks, gloves and a hand sanitizer. This step is especially important if you’re cleaning old items and areas with a lot of dust.

DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER

Do you really need to bring that strange diet cookbook with a giant chocolate cake on the cover that you’re never going to use? We suggest placing it in the recycling pile, along with everything else you’ll never need. When you really think about it, there are a lot of things in our houses, which we keep for no apparent reason. Throwing away unnecessary stuff can help with packing for a move and you will have space to bring in useful things. Everyone also wants a little bit of change when they move into a new home. So clearing out your unnecessary old items can help you make space for any fresh new arrivals.

SELL IT OFF 

Sell as many clothes, books, furniture and other unwanted items by hosting a yard sale or using an e-commerce website. If done properly, you would be surprised how much money you could make from such sales.

Or if you don’t have the time or energy, give things away to charity. There are many places where you can donate used items in Dubai.

BUY THE ITEMS NEEDED FOR PACKING 

It is wise to buy some moving boxes, bubble wraps, wrapping sheets, tapes etc. to ensure your moving process is not stressful. Analyze how much you need to pack and perhaps order a couple of extra boxes. It’s always better to have a spare box rather than scrambling for one at the last minute. 

HANDLE WITH CARE

Breakable items needed to be put in bubble wrap and labelled “Fragile”. This could include mirrors, silverware, sports trophies, artwork etc. Pack these items and keep them separately. It also pays off to put some extra padding in all the boxes, be it newspapers, old clothes or towels. Start by putting in the heaviest items at the bottom of the box.

PACK SEQUENTIALLY  

In our list of ‘how to pack for a move’ tips, this step is perhaps the most important one. Make a sequential list of how you are going to pack things. Always do it one room at a time to avoid chaos. Packing haphazardously will only prolong the process. 

You could start with the kitchen for example. The first step would be to defrost the refrigerator. This has to be done in advance, so you can clean it up on the day you move. Pack all the dishes in bubble wraps. When packing appliances, make sure to remove all loose components and pack them together. 

Make sure to disassemble all furniture and decoration pieces if possible. It would also be helpful to take images before your disassemble. You might need a little reminder of how to put it all back together. 

For glass items, use bubble wrap. For electronic items, always keep the assembling items and wires, remotes together with the device. Misplacing even a small item can make the whole

Take extra care of the jewellery box. Perhaps you can move it in advance, keep it in your bank’s locker or at a friend’s house. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. You can do the same with other expensive items.

LABELLING

While labelling can add a few extra seconds to your packing process, doing so will help you save precious time rummaging through boxes and boxes of stuff when you reach the space.

To be even more efficient you can use a different marker or packing tape for each of the rooms. If you label the kitchen with, say, a black marker and the living room with red, you’ll be able to move the boxes to the right room of your new place without having to read every label. If you have loads of stuff to pack, buying a label maker could also be useful. 

A MOVING DAY BAG

After you have moved, unpacking might take a few days. So, pack a small bag or two with necessities like snacks, extra clothes, toiletries etc so you are sorted for the next few days even if you are unable to unpack everything immediately. This is especially useful if you have young children and need to make sure they are comfortable in the new space.

This completes our list of suggestions on how to pack for a move. Follow the tips mentioned above and you will have a fairly hassle-free experience. 

If you prefer to get professional assistance with your home move, you can reach out to the home moving companies in Dubai. It all depends on whether you want to spare yourself from some hard work or want to save some cash.

Moving to the capital emirate? Here are the top movers and packers in Abu Dhabi that can make your transition seamless. Whether you’re moving for work or pleasure, these trusted firms offer expert services tailored to your needs.

Have you packed up on your own and moved homes? Let us know more about your experience in the comments section below.