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Guide to Packing Your Kitchen

One of the most important rooms in your house to move is your kitchen. You likely have a lot of dishes, and chances are, many of them are breakable – glasses, chinaware, ceramics, and perhaps even larger items like electric can openers and microwave ovens. Packing your kitchen items for safe moving, space management, and organization is very important.

Keeping Your Kitchen Organized During Your Move

Before you move, take the time to sort your kitchen items into those things you’ll be taking with you and those things you won’t. If you’re purchasing new kitchenware, for instance, you may opt not to take certain dishes. Put them in a separate box or bag. Other items many people opt not to move with them are canned goods. You’ll end up taking these things to shelters, food banks, and thrift stores, or you may decide to have a moving sale. Either way, separate them well before your move from the items you’ll be taking with you.

Another thing you’ll want to do before you move is pack an essential items box. These are things you’ll need the last couple of days in your old home and the first couple of days in your new home. This list should include, at a minimum:

  • Plates and bowls for one meal
  • Silverware for one meal
  • A frying pan
  • Glasses for one meal
  • Coffee cups or mugs
  • Coffee pot
  • Cooking utensils (ladle, stirring spoon, meat knife, etc.)
  • Dishcloth
  • Dish soap and wash rag
  • You only need enough dishes for one meal because you’re going to wash them after each use. Pack everything else for the move.

Hispanic woman packing wine glasses

Packing for Safe Keeping

You want to protect your breakable items. So make sure you pack all of your plastic bowls and glasses and other non-breakables separately. Wrap your breakable kitchen items with wash towels and dish cloths.

Pack items you don’t use often in their own boxes. These may include crystal, wine glasses, mixing bowls, cookie sheets, cookbooks, and wall hangings.

Finally, all of your breakables should be packed together tightly and wrapped in paper, towels, or bubble wrap. The key is to keep the glass, china, and other breakable material from banging against each other during the move.

Start collecting the paper, bubble wrap, etc. a week or two before your move so that you have it available when you are packing. Make sure you collect enough boxes before the move, and get plenty of boxes of various sizes to accommodate the successful movement of smaller and larger dishes.

Tips for Managing Space During the Move

Consider the space inside your moving boxes. Put smaller bowls inside larger bowls and stack them. This will take up a lot less space than simply packing all of your kitchen items in random boxes. You can do the same thing with pots and pans. Put your lids for bowls, pots, pans, skillets, and other kitchenware in one box together. Stack them largest to smallest with the larger lids on the bottom. Wrap glass lids with paper.

Keep all your food items together with perishable and nonperishable items in separate boxes or containers.

If you have shelves that can be disassembled, then you should disassemble them for the move. That will take up less space.   

By keeping your kitchen items organized during your move, you will save yourself space, time, and a lot of headaches.

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Top 11 Tips to Make Moving Your Home Easier

Moving is a fact of life. Most of us do it a few times throughout our lifetimes. Some of us do it more often than others. Chances are you’ll have to move your home again sometime in the next decade. The following tips are designed to help you improve your home moving experience and to make it go more smoothly.

  1. Pack items you’ll need at your new home immediately into a clear plastic tote – Think about what you’ll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. Things like box cutters, furniture assembling tools, trash bags, kitchenware for one meal, etc. Pack them first and make them easily accessible.
  2. Hire a sitter – If you have children and pets, hire a sitter. Otherwise, your move will take longer as you’ll have to tend to their needs while you move.
  3. Pack breakables with clothing – Both items need to be packed. Packing them together saves storage space and prevents breakables from breaking during the move.
  4. Photograph the back of electronics – Ever forget how to rewire your electronics? Photograph the backs of them so you can see how the wires should be reconnected.
  5. Label boxes – List the items in each box and write the room they go into on the outside of the box. Use color codes for easy identification.
  6. Use plastic wrap for open containers – Wrap your open bottles, such as shampoo and dish washing liquid, with plastic wrap, then put the lids back on them so they won’t spill and ruin your belongings.
  7. Take pictures of your living space – If you are a renter and want your deposit back, take pictures of the old home after moving out and of your new home before moving your stuff in.
  8. Sell valuable items well in advance – Be sure to sell valuable items you aren’t giving away at least two months in advance. Things may not sell right away.
  9. Use sandwich bags – Drop nails, screws, and other small items into sandwich bags. Group them and tape them to the items they go with so they won’t get lost.
  10. Change your address a couple of weeks before you move – It will take some time for your mail to catch up with you if you don’t.
  11. Have charity organizations pick up your donations – Call them a couple of weeks before you move.

Packages For House Moving

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Create a Moving Plan to Direct Your Efforts on Moving Day

Moving Day is going to be a busy, hectic day. If you don’t create a plan, you’ll find yourself being jerked around in all different directions by events. Those events will dictate the flow of your day, which will not only affect the day itself but your entire week. Don’t let that happen to you. Here are some tips for creating a moving plan that will help you stay in control on moving day.

Floor Plan Of House, Doodle Style

  1. Before you do anything else, draw a map of your office or home (the one you’re moving to). Not only will this give you the layout of the building, but it will also let you know which entrances and exits are best for each room you’ll move furniture and boxes into.
  2. On your map, write how many boxes you have going into each room, and include the dimensions of each room so you know how much square footage you have to work with.
  3. Make a note of any furniture you plan to move into each room. Draw that piece of furniture in the room on your map where you intend to take it. This will save time for the movers so they are not repositioning your furniture. You’ll also find it helpful to write the dimensions of your furniture on the map.
  4. Label each room with a number and boxes that are to go into that room.

You might find that it makes more sense to move some items through your back door and others through the front. Or you may discover as you are planning that one of the doors is not wide enough for certain types of furniture. Knowing this in advance will make your move go more smoothly, cut down on headaches, and get it done more quickly.

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Clothes Packing Tips that Won’t Have Your Undies in a Bundle

You’ve planned your move to your new home with strategic precision. Boxes are packed and labeled. You’ve de-cluttered, and you know where everything is going to go in your new home.

All that’s left is to pile your clothing in your car and take it with you when you go – right? While many of our Minneapolis residential moving customers tell us that this is their plan, we often suggest a better strategy. Those clothes don’t look too heavy hanging in your closet. Several trips later and a big messy pile of clothes in the back of your car later – and you’ll be wishing you’d taken these suggestions:

1.  Discard Unused and Unwanted Items – A good rule of thumb is – if you haven’t worn it in a year – get rid of it. There are many non-profits that accept donations of used clothing, and you can take a tax deduction for doing a good deed while making your move easier.

2.  Make Use of Wardrobe Moving Boxes – Instead of having your clothing in a big pile, or stuffed into a box, using wardrobe moving boxes allows you to hang your clothing and move it virtually wrinkle-free.

Wardrobe Box For Easy Moving

3.  Pack an Overnight Bag – Rather than feeling stressed once you arrive at your new home, having an overnight bag with a change of clothes and all of your essentials, medications, toiletries, etc. means you’ll be able to freshen up while you’re unpacking.

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Top 3 Tips to Make Your Next Move Less Stressful

While many articles claim that moving is one of the top 10 most stressful life events you can experience, surprisingly there are no official studies that support that. Widely accepted as the standard in evaluating life events that contribute to illness, the Holmes and Rahe scale doesn’t even include moving on their list of the top 43 most stressful events.

Make Your Move Less Stressful

So – moving must not be that stressful – right? Try telling that to someone who is getting ready to move their home, and you might hear a different story!

As expert residential movers in Minnesota, we talk with people often who are anywhere from mildly nervous to extremely worried about moving and all it entails. Working with RJ Moving, our clients receive lots of advice and tips on how to take the stress out of their move.

Here are our top 3 tips for making your next move less stressful:

1.  Plan Ahead

One of the best things you can do is to plan ahead for your upcoming move, and give yourself plenty of time to handle all the details – including packing, determining where your belongings will go in your new home, and properly labeling all of your boxes so your movers will know where to place your items when they get there.  Check out our residential moving timeline for tips on when to get started and what to consider in your moving timeline.

2.  Do Your Research

You’ll have many choices when it comes to picking a moving company to handle your move. Make sure to research the moving companies you are considering thoroughly:

  • Call the company and ask them if they offer a free quote for your move.
  • Find out what services they offer – for instance, some companies will help you pack your belongings and help you plan your move.
  • Make sure you are comparing apples-to-apples when you review the quotes you receive.
  • Check online for reviews about the company you choose to make sure others vouch for them as well.

3.  Downsize and De-clutter Before You Move
While it may be tempting to bring everything with you – just in case you need it – it is far more efficient to plan very carefully which items you’ll want to utilize in your new home. De-cluttering and downsizing before you move will keep your moving costs down, and make your overall move more efficient, easier – and less stressful for you in the long run.

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Home Sweet Home: What to Do Just Before and Just After You Move

Moving day is nearly here, and your movers will be at your house tomorrow. Everything is packed and ready to go. But there are still a few more things you can do to make sure you are fully prepared to move into your new home. As movers serving Plymouth MN, we have a few suggestions on what to do to ensure a smooth transition from your old house to your new house.

You could take the time to give your new home a good scrub down before you move in. With no furniture in there, it’s easy to get to all of those hard-to-reach spots, like corners and baseboards. Pay extra special attention to areas where there will be heavy or large furniture that will make cleaning difficult in the future. It’s a good idea to start off with a clean slate in your new home.

And after you’re done cleaning, you should go to the local grocery store and stock up on a few necessities for after your movers are done unloading the moving truck. Get the basics like bread, milk, eggs, etc. Put them in the refrigerator so they are ready for you and your family as you all are settling into your new home. Plus, going to the grocery store gives you a chance to start getting familiar with your new town!

After your movers leave, you might be tempted to take a rest. But it’s actually the best time to hang up your window treatments because you can get to your windows unhindered by furniture and other items. It’s just one more chore to cross off your list!

When you need movers in Plymouth MN, call RJ Moving at 612-384-2028 or Request a Free Moving Estimate.

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Moving Timeline

We know how stressful moving can be. From when you first decide you want to (or need to) move to that moment when you finally finish unpacking that last box in your new home. Moving can be nerve-wracking, to say the least! Our team of residential movers in Maple Grove has a quick and easy timeline for you to use the next time you move.

Eight Weeks Before You Move

You should be looking into and hiring residential movers like the ones here at RJ Moving. You should also start eating whatever food is already in your refrigerator and cabinets. Less food to move on moving day means fewer items for you to unpack after your residential movers leave!

Six Weeks Before You Move

Start assessing your stuff and sorting through it. Separate it into three piles: “keep,” “donate” and “toss.” Remember that the less you keep, the less that will need to be moved by your residential movers and you! You will also want to start notifying family members, friends and your employer that you are moving and inform them of your new address. If you are moving far away, now is a great time to call your doctor and dentist to see if they have any referrals for you at your new location.

Four Weeks Before You Move

Go to the post office and fill out a change of address form. Make sure you contact all of your utility companies to get service transferred or canceled. Now is also a great time to arrange for any special transportation you might need for pets and plants on your moving day. Also, it’s now time to start gathering boxes. When you hire RJ Moving, you can take advantage of our Free Box Program, so you’ll have all of the boxes you need but without having to spend an arm and a leg!

Two Weeks Before You Move

Make sure your car is in good working order, especially if you have to drive a long distance to get to your new home. If you’re moving to an apartment, it’s also a good time to call the apartment building’s management to ensure there is ample room on the road (and to reserve an elevator, if needed) for your residential movers.

Moving Day

Be sure your walkway and driveway are cleared for your residential movers, and make sure all of your items are fully packed and ready to go.

When you need residential movers in Maple Grove, call RJ Moving at 612-384-2028 or get a Free Moving Quote.

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Decluttering and Downsizing: How to Get Organized Before Your Move

Moving day is fast approaching and your professional movers in Maple Grove will be at your home before you know it. One of the best ways to start getting situated for a move is to declutter and downsize. The less you have to pack and move, the less you will have to worry about unpacking and organizing when you get to your new home and the less your professional movers will have to move. Taking the time to declutter and downsize could save you hassle, and even a bit of money, in the long run. And getting all of this taken care of before your professional movers arrive means less stress on you come moving day.

First, take a look at your belongings. Go room to room and ask yourself one question: If you lost all of this, what would you want to replace? Start jotting down notes of the big items you want to keep vs. the ones you want to throw away. And then follow through! Donate or sell the big pieces you don’t want or need anymore.

For smaller items, like books, movies, etc., start sorting them into three piles: keep, donate and throw away. Try to do this task as quickly as possible and don’t over-think it. Go with your gut and whatever decision you make first. No sense in drawing out this chore any more than you have to!

For clothing, it is a longer process but regardless, it’s a good idea to do this when you can, even if you can’t get it done before your professional movers arrive. Simply turn your coat hangers around so they are hanging up back to front. Any time you wear an item and hang it up again, turn the coat hanger around so it’s facing the right direction. After a set period of time (3 to 6 months is usually a good time frame), get rid of the clothes that are still on hangers that are facing back to front.

Your professional movers, and your pocketbook, will thank you for taking the time to declutter and downsize!

When you need professional movers in Maple Grove, call RJ Moving at 612-384-2028 or get a Free Moving Quote.

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Unpacking After a Commercial Move: Where to Start? Suggestions from Commercial Movers

Yesterday was moving day. Your commercial movers in Plymouth safely unloaded all of your office’s furniture and belongings and now you and your employees are faced with what feels like a huge task: unpacking but still somehow staying organized. But where do you start?

As commercial movers with more than 15 years of experience, we here at RJ Moving have a few suggestions on where to start and how to stay organized from the get-go.

First things first: we hope you clearly labeled your boxes and what each box contains. We recommend unpacking the necessities after your commercial movers leave – the main things your business needs to stay running during the first couple of days in your new office building. You want to be sure to unpack computer supplies, fax and copy machine supplies, a coffee pot and mugs for tired employees and any files your business uses on a regular basis.

From there, we suggest you give each employee designated time to unpack their own supplies and items. This also gives your employees some time to acquaint themselves with their new surroundings. It’s a great time for them to learn the basics: where the fire escapes or stairs are located, where the bathrooms are, etc. It’s also a great time for them to familiarize themselves with the new area they’ll be working in. As commercial movers, we understand you want to still get work done while unpacking, but keep in mind your employees are probably feeling the stress too. So consider just getting basic work done for the first day or two while everyone is getting settled in.

After all of your employees are done unpacking, get help with common rooms like the rest of the kitchen items and any conference rooms or other rooms that are used by your entire staff. Also, now is a great time to get help decorating the office if need be!

When you need commercial movers in Plymouth, call RJ Moving at 612-384-2028 or get a Free Moving Quote.

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Three Tips to Declutter Your Office Before You Relocate

When you’re relocating your business, getting everything (and everyone!) organized and packed can seem like a daunting task. Thankfully, we here at RJ Moving, commercial movers in Maple  Grove, have helped plenty of businesses move throughout the state, and we have a few tips to help you get started on the decluttering and downsizing process.

  1. The first thing you want to do is take a deep breath and relax. Remember, if you’ve planned ahead and your commercial movers are hired and things are set with them, that’s half the battle right there! We recommend sorting through your paperwork first. Figure out what you need to keep and what can be tossed and shredded and/or recycled. Most of the time, old paperwork takes up more space than necessary. The more you get rid of, the less there is for your commercial movers to move to your new location.
  2. Don’t think you’re going to get everything done in one day. You will want to set aside several days to get everything organized and decluttered. Make sure your employees know that they are responsible for decluttering their own offices too. Set aside several mornings or afternoons for this task. Ask for volunteers to help you declutter and downsize the items that are used office-wide (for example, kitchen items). Again, the fewer items your commercial movers have to move, the better. They will spend less time moving your items, helping to get you from here to there in a timely fashion.
  3. If you need to buy any storage bins, wait until all of your office decluttering is done. That way, you will know exactly what you need to buy and won’t waste any extra money or time on bins you don’t need. And moving those items will be much easier for your commercial movers.

When you need commercial movers in Maple Grove, call RJ Moving at 612-384-2028, or you can get a Free Quote.

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