5 Ways You Can Simplify Your Move While Being More Sustainable
It’s a week before your move-out date. You head to the closet to start packing. Drawers open, and sweaters, t-shirts, and socks come tumbling out. You pause, holding up a shirt and wondering, When was the last time I even wore this?
Before you know it, your packing session turns into a full-blown purge. It’s midnight, you’ve got three bags of trash, a chaotic closet, and not a single box packed.
The bags go out to the dumpster, because with only a week left, there’s no time to sell anything on Marketplace—and honestly, moving it all with you feels pointless.
Sound familiar?
It’s easy to think you can leave everything until the last few days before a move. But a little prep ahead of time can make your move so much easier—and more sustainable.
At VanGoose Crate Rental LLC, we’re all about making moves less mess and less stress. So let’s get started.
Declutter in Advance
A few weeks before your move evaluate your home by asking questions like these:
Is there anything I haven’t used in the last year?
Have my kids grown out of their clothes? Are there any toys sitting in the garage unused?
Can we reduce the number of X item that we have? (Books? CDs? knick knacks?)
How much of my medicine cabinet is expired?
Closets and garages are key offenders in hiding our unused goods. Haven’t worn something in two years - DONATE IT or list it on Marketplace. Moved a vase multiple times but never put flowers in it- DONATE it! If you can, this is a great time for a garage sale. There are also some second hand clothing stores that will give you cash for clothes like Clothes Mentor and Once Upon a Child. Reducing clutter will also reduce how many crates you need to pack and trips between your old and new residence. If you have old medicine check the FDA’s website on the best way to dispose of your medications saftely.
2. Protecting Delicates
Don’t buy packing paper and bubble wrap when you don’t need too. If you’ve got Amazon boxes piling up (guilty!), start saving any packing material included in your shipments a few months out from your move. There are also sustainable alternatives to traditional moving supplies that you already have in your house such as:
Towels
T-shirts
Blankets
Plastic grocery bags
Another great option is going through old documents and shredding any you don’t need before your move. You can use the shredded paper as packing material too!
Not only are using these items more eco-friendly, but it’s also a great way to protect fragile goods without spending extra cash.
3. Clean Out Your Pantry and Fridge
Do not wait until the last minute to clean our your fridge and pantry. Delaying can lead to excess food waste or hastily moving old expired goods to your new residence. Avoid both downfalls by starting your kitchen purge early.
Toss anything expired: cans, sauces, condiments, and whatever else is lurking in the back of your refrigerator
Wipe down shelves and drawers
Challenge yourself to cook meals using only pantry items leading up to the move
Take inventory of your freezer and use two to three frozen goods each week leading up to your move
Being proactive in your kitchen leading up to your move will save you money on groceries and limit food waste.
4. Pack a Bag
Let’s be serious. You are probably not going to be able to unpack all of your belongings the day you move in. Pack an overnight bag with a few outfits and other essentials like:
Phone and laptop chargers
Toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste
Medications
Pet supplies like food and cat litter or doggie bags
Pajamas
Trust us. This will come in handy. No one wants to be digging through boxes at 2am looking for a toothbrush.
5. Rent Reusable Moving Crates
Last but definitely not least—ditch the cardboard.
Crates provide many benefits:
Crate are durable and stackable
Hold up to 75lbs each
No tape necessary
Reduce Waste
Protect the goods inside from major damage when used properly
Crates keep your items safer and help you stay organized. No more worrying about broken box bottoms, soggy corners, or what to do with all that cardboard after the move. You can check our our packages here.
If you are wondering where to rent reusable moving boxes in the Greater Cincinnati or Dayton Area look no further! Our team at VanGoose Crate Rental LLC is happy to help. Click here for more information!