How to Pack for Your Interstate Move: 25 Practical Tips

Moving interstate is a monumental task, particularly the part where you have to pull your belongings from all the rooms and pack them neatly for transit. It’s tedious just thinking about it. An interstate move can be quite daunting, considering everything that needs to be organised. And then there are the interstate removalist costs you need to think about as well. But it’s a good thing you have this list of tips on how to pack for a move to help you out:

1. What to start packing first when moving

First things first, decide where to start when packing to move. Begin with the items you rarely use and those you won’t be needing before the moving day.

2. Find the best cardboard boxes for moving

You’ll obviously need lots of boxes to pack away all your belongings. Shop locally or online for the best packing boxes for moving house. Consider the build quality, size and weight rating when shopping for the best packing boxes.

3. Choosing the best size boxes for moving

Home shifting boxes come in a variety of sizes. But bigger is not always better; determine the best size boxes for moving and packing different items based on their dimensions.

4. How to pack boxes when moving house

Once you’ve got all the right size boxes, it’s only a question of how to pack boxes when moving house. Ensure you have the heavier items at the bottom of the box and the lighter ones near the top.

5. How to wrap and move boxes

Wrap and move boxes to a designated spot after filling them up. Use bubble wrap or cling film to wrap each box. Doing so keeps the box intact and cushions it from impact during transit.

6. Packing tips for large items when moving

Deciding what to pack in large moving boxes can be a bit of a challenge. Fill the big ones with large lightweight items such as blankets and plastic utensils and use the smaller boxes for heavier items such as books, tools and electronics.

7. Moving without boxes

If you don’t have any packing boxes for moving, you can use suitcases, garbage bags, backpacks, baskets or large tote bags instead.

8. Don’t overpack

House shifting cartons have a weight limit; exceeding that limit may cause them to tear or come undone when lifting or pushing. Don’t fill any box with more than it can carry.

9. Take pictures of electronics

Take a few snapshots of appliance connections such as TVs, audio systems and computers before taking them apart so you can refer to the photos when reconnecting them.

10. Colour code all the boxes

Use coloured markers to colour code and mark boxes containing similar or related items. For instance, use a specific colour for boxes holding items from a particular room.

11. Take pictures of the box contents

Take pictures of each box and its contents to make it easier to locate all your belongings when unpacking at the new house.

12. Wrap delicate items in old newspaper

Packing boxes for moving have no internal or external cushioning. Wrap delicate and fragile items such as ceramic plates, glasses and photo frames in layers of old newspaper or bubble wrap before placing them in boxes.

13. Tighten lids and bottle caps

Tighten lids on jars and caps on bottles to avoid spillage or misplacing the lids themselves. Use adhesive tape, rubber bands or cling film to secure any lids and bottle tops that won’t fit properly.

14. Put your towels and sheets to good use

Instead of having towels, sheets and linens take up space in packing boxes, wrap them around delicate items for extra damage protection.

15. Fill up pots and containers with small items

Put small items such as spoons and spice jars into pots and other large containers to save space in the cardboard moving boxes.

16. Don’t empty your drawers

Pull out any drawers that won’t lock in their desks or tables, but don’t empty them. Instead, wrap the drawers with cling film and pack them with their contents intact. When unpacking, you can simply slide them back into their respective compartments.

17. Get rid of what you don’t need

Moving house is a good time to declutter your household. Don’t pack anything that will only take up your time and packing space. Donate, sell or give away all the items you don’t need before moving to a new house.

18. Create a to-do list

It’s easy to lose track of work when dealing with so many boxes and items. Organise your packing process by creating a checklist or a to-do list. Cross off one entry at a time; otherwise, you might get overwhelmed.

19. Pack one room at a time

Divide and conquer is the best packing strategy. Take one room at a time, and remember to label all the boxes from each room clearly. Going from room to room keeps the whole process neat and organised.

20. Get lots of garbage bags

Even with tons of moving boxes, you’ll probably realise that not everything can fit in them. So, get enough garbage bags to pack oversized and oddly shaped items such as pillows, rugs, soft toys and heavy fabrics. Besides garbage bags and boxes, you can also use packing cases for moving house.

21. Take care of knives and other sharp objects

Sharp tools and cutlery need extra care when packing to prevent accidents and damages. Wrap their blades and pointy bits with old newspaper or wrapping paper before packing them in boxes.

22. Make an easy meal the night before

If you’ve dedicated a single day for packing, make sure to have an easy meal the night before, preferably take-out food so you won’t have any dirty utensils or leftovers. But you can always put leftovers in sealable food containers if you have any.

23. Keep a tote bag full of moving essentials

Ensure to keep all your moving essentials in a small bag such as a tote or backpack. These may include toiletries, medicine, flashlight, any required paperwork, keys, phone charger, etc. Keep the essentials bag close by to avoid misplacing it in the packing frenzy.

24. Relocate hazardous goods separately or dispose of them before the move

Hazardous goods such as paint, chemicals and flammable liquids cannot be relocated along with your normal household goods, therefore it’s important to make the necessary arrangements in advance. If you want to keep those goods, you might need to organize a specialist transport service, otherwise it’s advisable to arrange for appropriate disposal.

Ensure the seals and lids are securely tightened on these so that the liquids don’t spill or leak out during the moving process.

25. Don’t rush

Packing can seem like a daunting task at first when you think about all the stuff you have to carefully put away in boxes. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and try to rush things, but that only makes the job harder. Pack at your own pace – take breaks and seek assistance from friends or even professional movers if necessary. In short, don’t overburden yourself. Follow these 25 moving house packing tips to prepare for an easy move. These also apply when packing up a house when using removals and storage solutions. Remember, the most important thing is to draft a packing plan from the very start. Work out how many packing boxes are needed, create a well-organised inventory and labelling scheme and stick to a convenient working schedule. By carefully planning ahead, you’ll realise the most efficient ways to pack for moving.