Our Best Strategies and Packing Tips for Moving Stress-Free

For many senior homeowners, transitioning to a new place feels overwhelming. However, planning the move in phases and stages helps reduce stress and mental and physical fatigue. As senior move managers, we develop strategies to help seniors navigate the transition and feel more at ease during their move. 

For many homeowners embarking on a move, one of the transition's greatest challenges is properly packing personal belongings (especially breakable items). We're packing experts and sharing insight into our team’s packing tips for moving stress-free! 

Table of Contents: 

Packing to Move: Strategies to Lower Stress 

Packing Hacks 

How to Pack Fragile Items 

Moving Cross-Country Tips 

Moving Day Tips 

Move Out Cleaning Tips

Key Takeaways: 

Packing for a move should begin as soon as possible. Simple hacks like rolling clothes and packing shoes with plastic wrap saves time and space. 

Packing to Move: Our Strategies Lower Stress 

Packing for a move should NEVER be put off until the last minute. Senior Moves handles packing processes for our clients, and our strategy for packing involves phasing the packing process by each room in the home. And, yes, we begin to pack up homes early! 

Clients notice that we choose one room and focus on packing only the items in that room. Each box is marked with the room and denotes its specific contents. Many homeowners wonder what items can be packed together in the same box and what belongings must be packed separately or more securely. 

Our team members differ in their packing strategies. To understand the methodology behind our packing plans, we created a chart that details how one of our move managers could organize boxes by room and contents:

Packing Hacks 

‘Hacks’ are simply tricks that make a task easier, and Senior Moves has many hacks to de-stress the packing process. While our clients might not notice our ‘hacks,’ these tricks can be useful for college students (on a budget) or other homeowners when moving. Feel free to borrow them when packing for a trip, too: 

1. Wrap shoes in plastic wrap. We mentioned this before, but wrapping shoes in plastic wrap keeps shoes together and organized. 

2. Roll clothes. This standard packing tip ensures that one box can fit most items. 3. Pack items in other items. When packing the kitchen, nest mixing bowls and use the top bowl to hold items like measuring cups and other small items. 

4. Out of packing paper or bubble wrap? Use towels to protect fragile items. 5. Tape up all liquids. Use duct tape to avoid messes related to lotion, shampoos, or kitchen cleaners. 

6. Use a fishing tackle box to pack makeup and perfumes securely. These boxes inspired the ‘80s and ‘90s era Caboodle (and Sassaby). Just make sure that the tackle box is clean! 

7. A clean egg carton can pack costume jewelry without tangles or frustration. 8. Use hair ties to secure device cords and mitigate tangling. 

9. Pack valuable items in suitcases and move them personally. 

10. Color code boxes. Use a different color highlighter or marker to indicate what’s in each box. While every box should include the room (or destination), it’s also important to know about the contents (without everyone else knowing them). Just remember to make a legend explaining each color’s meaning. 

How to Pack Fragile Items 

Many items in the home are fragile and need to be packed with care. What is the best packing strategy for moving breakables? Senior Moves uses specialized boxes for packing our clients’ most delicate items. These boxes keep plates, vases, and other dishware from breaking or chipping.

Figurines and glass frames are always sealed in bubble wrap. Our team packs larger pictures and frames in special protective boxes. 

Crystal glasses and other glassware must be individually wrapped. Stemware can be awkward to pack in a standard moving box, which is why Senior Moves uses boxes specifically designed for stemware. 

Moving Cross-Country Tips 

Moving cross country poses a unique set of challenges. A moving company is necessary to move furniture and other belongings, and homeowners must entrust strangers with a lifetime of possessions. Senior Moves serves as the mediary between the moving company and clients to ensure that the move goes without a hitch. 

Our team manages an extensive list of crucial concerns during the cross-country move process, but the location and auditing of each possession is a very important detail for our team. We assess: 

Labels and color codes on each box. Our team also audits homeowners’ possessions as we pack. When moving long distances, Senior Moves labels each box with a code and a room designation, and we create a list of each box and its contents. This strategy helps us and our clients easily identify items that could be missing. 

The exact location of valuable and irreplaceable items. For example, jewelry, family pictures, and important documents might be packed separately and taken privately by a client. 

Moving Day Tips 

Not everything can or should be packed in advance. On moving day, our team expects to pack up some last-minute items. Furniture and large appliances also will be moved out. Seniors working with the team at Senior Moves will not need to manage the moving company on the day of the move. 

On a moving day, we advise clients to: 

• Pack a moving day bag. This should include all necessities like medication, clothes, etc. 

• Keep snacks and water on hand.

• Be aware of time. Most movers and truck companies charge by the hour.

• Don’t dress in your best. Seniors might not handle any aspect of their move, but the day can still be dirty. 

• Always conduct one last walkthrough of the current home to ensure nothing is left behind. We handle this for all of our clients, but family members also like to do their own walkthrough. 

Move Out Cleaning Tips 

Moving is a hassle but also the beginning of a new adventure. Before leaving a current residence, Senior Moves cleans it up for the next owner. We always leave a home looking great. 

Take a peek at our move-out cleaning checklist: 

• Remove all items from the refrigerator; clean it thoroughly 

• Check the washer and dryer for any clothing 

• Vacuum rugs and carpets 

• Wipe down counters 

• Disinfect bathrooms 

• Sweep floors 

FAQ: Packing and Moving 

How long before you move should you start packing? 

The sooner you begin packing, the better. Some people begin the packing process a month in advance, while others wait a few weeks. Just don’t wait until the last minute! Packing a home is a time-consuming process that will leave you drained unless you plan for it adequately. 

What should I keep out on a moving day? 

Pack a moving day bag with spare clothes, snacks, water, daily medication, and other necessities. Many choose to buy a spare toothbrush and toothpaste and use small bottles of toiletries.

What is the hardest room to pack when moving? 

The kitchen! This is the most difficult room because of the variation of items that need to be packed–glassware, dishes, crystal, utensils, small appliances, etc. 

How do you pack for a move effectively? 

We start packing early, and map out a packing plan. We always include the following information on each box: 

• Color code for contents 

• A label denoting the room destination 

• Box number (for each room) 

Senior Moves also tracks the contents in each box for cross-country moves. Homeowners need to know what items are missing if a box is lost.