Month: June 2021

Moving requires fuel and a lot of packing materials, but it’s entirely possible to plan for a “greener” move. If you’re looking to save resources and help protect our planet, here are some tips that can help you arrange an eco-friendly move.

1. Use Sustainable Packaging Materials for Breakables

When people think of packing, they think of bubble wrap. While it’s essential to wrap fragile and irreplaceable items carefully, using bubble wrap isn’t always the most Earth-friendly approach. Instead, try using soft fabrics, such as bath towels, dish towels, pillowcases, blankets, and even clothing to protect breakables.

2. Utilize Biodegradable Packing Materials

In addition to soft fabrics, try using biodegradable and recyclable packing materials. Options include newspaper, recyclable packing paper, or GreenWrap —  a bubble wrap alternative that is compostable, recyclable, and biodegradable.

3. Use Reusable or Gently Used Moving Boxes

Planning a move without boxes is next to impossible, but they tend to create a lot of waste if not recycled properly. A greener alternative than buying all new boxes is to rent reusable moving boxes. Rental companies will typically offer to pick up and drop off the boxes as a service. This makes it eco-friendly, convenient, and stress-free.

Or you can tap into your residential moving company. Often, they will provide you with gently used boxes that are sturdy, less expensive, and ideal for your move.

4. Pack the Kitchen Last

Many people choose the kitchen as one of the first places to pack. When you begin the kitchen packing process, avoid packing dishes, utensils, cookware, and any other items to prepare and eat meals. Leaving essential kitchen items out of the upfront packing can help with a greener move. Doing so means using fewer disposable plates and plastic utensils and saving money on takeout meals (which also generates waste).

Make a plan to use up the food you have on hand instead of ditching food items that you can’t bring with you.

5. Make Fewer Trips

Going the DIY route typically means numerous time-consuming trips to the new house, using extra fuel, and putting more wear and tear on the car. Hiring a professional mover can ensure the move is made in one trip. This saves both time and energy. If a self-move, or partial self-move, is desired, pack as much into the vehicle as possible to cut down on multiple trips.

6. Downsize Personal Items

Moving is the perfect opportunity to downsize possessions, reduce clutter, and lighten the load. Donate gently used items, hold a garage sale, and give belongings away to friends and family. Try to avoid throwing out what is salvageable or might be useful to someone else. Keep in mind; many charitable organizations will come to your home to pick up items you no longer want.

Moving With Pro Movers

Eco-friendly moves sometimes take a little more planning but can benefit both the planet and your wallet.

Do you have an upcoming move to plan? If you need help with any part of the moving process, having a professional mover help you can make your life easier and less stressful. To receive a free price quote, contact us today. We’re happy to talk to you about eco-friendly moves or answer any other moving-related questions you may have.

The bathroom can be a tricky room to pack because there are many messy items, some fragile items, and things that shouldn’t get packed at all. If you’re getting ready to move and are packing up your bathroom, these tips can help. 

1. Purge First

Get rid of anything that isn’t worth taking. This might include bottles of shampoo that are almost empty, lotion bottles that don’t seem to want to close up properly, and anything you haven’t used in a very long time. Recycle the containers as you pack up.

You’ll probably find quite a few expired medicines and bathroom products that you used once and then forgot about. Most of these items aren’t worth bringing to your new home, so get rid of them. Don’t throw away your old medicines. Your doctor’s office or pharmacy may have regular medicine drives to take back expired medications – call around to find a place where you can drop off your old medicines. 

2. Set Aside Items for Your Go-Bag

Remember that you’re going to want some of your most essential bathroom items for your go-bag or moving essentials kit, including your toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, haircare products, makeup, deodorant, and so on. These are the products that you’ll be using as soon as you get to your new home. You’re also going to want these items through the day that you move out, so pack them separately!

3. Wrap Breakable Items

Use bubble wrap to protect breakable items like your glass soap dish, glass dish filled with cotton balls, mirrors, and more. You can also wrap delicate items in packing paper or put them in a box with packing peanuts. Label the box “fragile” and double up on tape to close the box and keep it closed. 

4. Label Which Bathroom

Are you moving from a two-bathroom home to another two-bathroom home? Label the box according to which bathroom the box corresponds to. For example: maybe one bathroom is called the “1st-floor bath” while the other bathroom is called the “2nd-floor bath.” Label the box according to which bathroom you are packing. This will make the unloading and unpacking process more manageable. 

5. Know What Can’t Be Packed

Your moving company will likely have a list of non-allowable items that you can not pack for transport on the moving truck. That list probably includes aerosols and certain cleaning products. Know what’s in your bathroom that you can’t load on the moving truck. Either pack up these items in a box and put them in your car and transport them yourself to your new home or separate them and give these items away before moving. 

6. Put Messy Items in a Plastic Bag

Wrap shampoo bottles and lotions that you plan to bring with you in a sealable plastic bag to prevent them from leaking out during transport. These items will be heavy when packed together; limit the box to a small size to keep the weight down. 

Get Help From a Professional Moving Company

The best thing you can do for yourself during a big move is to get help from a professional moving company. Contact us for a free quote and get started with your upcoming relocation. We can provide you with more tips to make your relocation a success!