A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth, efficient move. The more ready your home is before the crew arrives, the faster and safer moving day goes – and the more you can save. Use this guide from Midas Moving to get everything packed, prepped, and ready to load.
Packing Your Belongings
How you pack and prep each type of item makes a big difference on moving day. Here’s how to handle the essentials:
- Boxes: Label each box with the room it belongs in for easy placement at your new home. Pack all non-appliance items in sturdy, sealed boxes with lids and flat tops.
- Furniture: Clear all surfaces before moving day. Our team can disassemble multi-piece desks, beds, entertainment centers, and more. Note: OSB (particle board) furniture should be fully disassembled ahead of time, since we can’t cover damage to it.
- Beds: Remove all bedding, including mattress covers. Bed bags to protect your mattress and box spring are available for purchase if you request them in advance.
- Dressers: Empty all drawers. Clothing and linens can stay if the dresser isn’t being carried up or down stairs.
- Safes & Jewelry Armoires: We can move safes, but let us know in advance so we bring the right equipment. Empty the contents, lock the safe, and transport valuables separately.
- File & Storage Cabinets: Remove all items so the cabinet keeps its shape and doesn’t suffer structural damage in transit.
- Computers & Electronics: Disconnect all devices ahead of time, and use original packaging for the CPU, monitor, and printer when you can. Snap a photo of the cable connections before unplugging to make setup easy later.
Preparing Appliances & Equipment
- Appliances: Disconnect all electrical, water, gas, and data lines before moving day. Empty and unplug refrigerators, freezers, and wine coolers at least 12 hours ahead, then remove drain pans and secure any moving parts.
- Wall Hangings & Mirrors: Take down all pictures, mirrors, and wall decor before the crew arrives, and keep them together in a safe, low-traffic spot. These are loaded onto the truck last.
Items We Can’t Move
For everyone’s safety, we’re not able to transport hazardous materials. Please set these aside and move them yourself:
- Combustibles: Matches, gasoline, propane, charcoal, aerosols
- Chemicals: Pool chemicals, pesticides, paint thinners, fertilizers
- Pressurized Tanks: Fire extinguishers, ammonia, propane tanks
- Automotive Items: Motor oil, car batteries, antifreeze
- Household Items: Nail polish, bleach, cleaning solvents
Ways to Save Time and Money
Want a faster, more affordable move? These simple steps help:
- Move smaller items from upstairs down to the first floor or garage.
- Disassemble and reassemble furniture yourself when you can.
- Tell your movers about any large items that may need special handling.
- Disconnect washers, dryers, and refrigerators in advance.
- Set up a designated area for packed boxes near the entrance.
- Clearly label boxes with their rooms for easy unloading.
Let Midas Handle the Rest
Even with everything prepped, you don’t have to do it all yourself. Midas Moving offers packing, unpacking, and full-service moving to simplify your relocation. Our expert crews handle everything from loading to setup, so your belongings are treated with the highest level of care from start to finish.
Short on time? Our packing services can box up your home the day before, and our moving supplies include box kits sized by bedroom count. Have a piano or safe? See piano moving and large item moving. Planning a move across town? See our local and residential moving rates, or check the areas we serve across the Phoenix Valley.
