When it comes to moving, packing up your closets can be a daunting task. The closet is one of the most overlooked spaces in the house. Day after day, you keep adding contents to it, then close the door and leave it until you can get around to cleaning it out. Well, now that you’re moving, it’s time to open that door and discover what’s been hiding in there. In most situations, the closets will have a little bit of everything, from children’s toys and family pictures to clothes and shoes. So where do you start? Here are a few tips to ease the process.
Empty the Closet
Emptying the closet before you pack is an easy way to have a better idea of what you have, what to keep and what to get rid of before the move. The process will also be easier if you sort the contents as you go — as you remove each item, place it in a designated pile with like items. Once the closet is empty and before you start packing, vacuum the floor, wipe away the cobwebs and scrub the shelves.
Keep, Donate, Toss
There are three categories when it comes to sorting your clothes: keep, donate and toss. Before starting the sorting process, have a box ready for the “donate” pile, a trash bag for the “toss” items and a box for the “keep” items. Keep these suggestions in mind when sorting:
- Keep clothing that still fits and that you have worn in the past six months.
- Donate anything that doesn’t fit or that you haven’t worn in over a year.
- Toss everything that is damaged with tears or stains.
Tip: Use garbage bags for clothing on hangers. Cut a hole in the bottom of the bag, pull the top of the hangers through the hole and pull the garbage bag over the clothing. This will keep clothes together and make it easier to unpack when you arrive at your new home.
Packing Shoes
Sort and pack shoes by type to make your life easier. When packing, stuff the tips of your shoes with packing paper to help them keep their shape. If you still have the original boxes, place the shoes in them before packing in a larger box. If you tossed your shoe boxes the moment you got home from the store, simply place your shoes on a piece of packing paper and roll them together until covered. Keep in mind that the same rule applies to shoes as it does your clothing. If you haven’t worn them for more than one year, donate them, and if they’re damaged, toss them.
Packing Large Items
Blankets, comforters, sheets and towels can take up a lot of space. This is where space saving bags can come in handy. You can stack bulk items in a space saving bag and use your vacuum cleaner to suck out the excess air. The bags will flatten to an inch or two high, so you can easily stack them in a box or the back of the moving truck. When you arrive at your new, home open the bag and all of the items will “fluff” back up to their original size.
Use a black marker to clearly mark all boxes. Don’t forget to take the items you are donating to the donation center before you move, and contact your garbage service to find out if there are certain days when you can put large amounts or bulk items out for pickup.
If you’re in the process of a move, contact Patriot Relocation Company to learn how we can make your moving experience much easier.