Focus on wiping counters and floors the day before you leave.

Label boxes with numbers and, on a separate sheet of paper that you keep with you, write everything that’s in the boxes.

Use color-coded construction paper that lists everything in the box.

Use a different colored packing tape for each room in the new house so, at a glance; you can see what goes where.

Think about keeping a moving binder or file with the room, a label from each box (box x/x), and list everything in the box.

Keep your kitchen hardware with you in a ziplock or tape it to your kitchen table.

Use ziplock bags for anything you want to stay together.

Pre-box perfume and glass toiletries/make-up items/nail polish. Pack into small sealed containers.

Pack heavy pots and pans in laundry baskets.

Put books in suitcases.

Leave clothes in the drawers of dressers, carry the drawers to the moving truck, and put them back in the dresser.

Leave hang-up clothes on the hangers and just put them in large garbage bags.

Pack your toolbox last, so it’s right there when you open the moving van.

Clean and wash sheets and bedding and put them in the dresser for each room.

Put a few things you want to find immediately in the top drawers of the dresser.

Take pictures of the cables connected to your electronics before unplugging them, so you know where each one goes when you hook everything up.

Tape cords directly to the device so you don’t lose them.

Tape remote controls to backs of electronic equipment.

Use grocery bags as wrapping or stuffing for boxes. If a glass breaks, it’s contained.

Ensure your dining room chairs are taken apart or packed in padding so that they’re not used to hold boxes or thrown on top of other stuff.

Save any padded mailing envelopes before the move to use over picture frames and fragile items.

Use styrofoam plates between real plates for padding.

Designate one space for items NOT going on the truck and only for items going in cars.

Buy a big roll of saran wrap/packing wrap for couches, mattresses, and hold things together.

Use dishtowels and bath towels to wrap around fragile items.

Use thick, plastic drop cloth and wrap the mattresses, couch cushions, and ottomans like tape presents.

Saran wrap your silverware in the holder.

If you hang necklaces on a board, saran wraps them on the board.

Don’t pack blankets. Instead, use them to protect furniture and mirrors.

Be sure to write “fragile” or buy fragile labels for breakable boxes.

Buy wardrobe boxes.

Pack heavy, fragile things (wrapped in a towel & Saran Wrap) in the middle of clothes in the wardrobe boxes.

Use large plastic zipper bags from comforters to pack towels, blankets, t-shirts, etc.