Kitchen
Wrap plates on edge, never flat, with paper between each. Use small boxes for heavy items like pans and canned goods. Keep one box of everyday dishes, a pan, a knife, coffee and dish soap for the first night.
Bedrooms
Wardrobe boxes save hours: move hanging clothes straight from closet to closet. Leave light clothes in dresser drawers if the furniture is sturdy, and pack sheets and pillows last.
Living room
Photograph TV and electronics cables before unplugging them, and bag the cables with each device. Wrap framed art and mirrors in blankets or pads and stand them on edge.
Bathrooms
Seal liquids with plastic wrap under the cap, then bag them. Medications and personal items travel with you, not in the truck.
Garage and outdoors
Movers can't take gasoline, propane, paint thinner, fertilizer or other flammables. Drain fuel from mowers and tools, and dispose of chemicals at a household hazardous waste site. Travis County and the City of Austin both run one.
Austin heat and your things
Candles, vinyl records, wax art, some electronics, and medications can be damaged by a hot truck in summer. Move them in your air-conditioned car.
Supplies checklist
- Small, medium and large boxes, plus wardrobe and dish-pack boxes
- Packing tape and a tape gun
- Packing paper (newsprint-free, so it won't stain)
- Markers and colored labels by room
- Furniture pads or old blankets
- Zip bags for hardware and cables
- Box cutter, scissors, a basic tool kit
Rather hand off the heavy lifting?
Austin Moving Planner is published by Advantage Moving, a family-owned Austin mover since 2001. Free, no-pressure quotes for local moves across Austin and Hays County.