How to clean packing cardboard boxes

Moving is notorious for being a tiring and stressful process. Many activities are involved – from cleaning and packing to loading and transporting. You can easily become overwhelmed and feel anxious. But, don’t despair. Most home movers feel the same during the relocation process. The most important thing is to stay calm and stick to your plan. Once you arrive at your new destination, be prepared for some additional work. You have to unpack, clean packing cardboard boxes, and organize your belongings. Read on and find out how to survive a move and not go crazy.

First step: Organize your belongings

Regardless of whether you are moving locally or long-distance, you need to organize your belongings before you start to clean packing cardboard boxes and pack your items. Go through everything you own and divide your belongings into several piles. The first pile should be things you want to keep. Remember that the cost of your relocation depends on the number of boxes you have and their weight. So, don’t transport furniture that won’t fit into your new home or old gadgets and appliances that you plan to replace anyway. The other two piles should be toss and donate. They will include clothes you no longer wear, old magazines and books, kids’ toys, etc. There are many people in need who would appreciate your help. Donate lightly used books, school supplies and toys you don’t need. Another good option is to organize and yard sale or sell your things on eBay. Relocation can be quite costly and additional cash will come in handy.

Donate lightly used books and old magazines

Gather moving supplies

If you decide to hire a professional moving company, they will pack and transport your belongings. However, if you decide to do it on your own, be prepared to invest more time and energy. You need to gather moving supplies in advance. These include moving boxes, packing paper, tape, markers, scissors, furniture blankets, etc. Of course, you don’t need to buy all these things. You can use free packing boxes NYC that can be found in local liquor stores, bookstores, grocery stores, and office buildings. Just make sure your boxes are sturdy, strong, and durable so that you wouldn’t damage your things. Also, you can use containers and items you already have instead of buying them. Pack your things in suitcases, bags, laundry baskets, and buckets. Wrap them in towels, clothes, and newspapers. They are a great alternative to bubble wrap and packing paper and have good protective qualities.

Collect moving supplies and clean packing cardboard boxes before you start boxing things

Clean packing cardboard boxes properly

Once you organize and protect all your belongings it’s time to pack them. It’s important to clean packing cardboard boxes before reusing them. Don’t worry – this is a simple process and you don’t need expensive products to do it. First, remove all leftover items inside the boxes. This can include manuals, bubble wrap, receipts – depending on what your cardboard box used to hold. Then, remove dust and light debris with a clean, dry cloth. If there are some stains on your boxes, spray them with a mix of 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup of baking soda and warm water. This should help with nasty odors as well. However, if your boxes are too dirty, don’t use them. Cleaning heavy stains and molds will be a waste of time and effort. Once you clean packing cardboard boxes properly, you can start boxing your belongings. Make sure to distribute the weight evenly and don’t overload them.

Do you need short-term storage?

Storage facilities offer many benefits and can greatly facilitate the moving process. The storage unit size is one of the first things to consider. If you don’t know how much space you will need, try to consult the storage facility representative. Next, consider the location and cost of short-term storage NYC. Make sure to pick storage that has gates, security cameras, security guards. If you are moving or renovating your home and you don’t want to sell some pieces of furniture or appliances at a lower price, you can leave them in a storage unit and await a better offer. Sometimes we become emotionally attached to some things and we are not ready to give them up. In these situations, you can leave those items in a storage facility until you decide what to do with them.

Recycle cardboard boxes after using them

Once you have used your moving boxes and transported all your belongings, it’s time to think about what to do with your packing supplies. Remember that cardboard boxes are easily recyclable. You’ll feel good about recycling them and will make your move more “green”. Moving is a wasteful process so every decision counts. Also, you can clean packing cardboard boxes and store them in your garage. You can use them to protect your floors when painting or to make drawer dividers – be creative.

It's important to empty and clean packing cardboard boxes before you use them

Conclusion

Moving can be an overwhelming process and most people don’t know where to start. Plan in advance and create a to-do list. In this way, you will know exactly what to do before, during, and after the move. You need to find moving supplies, clean packing cardboard boxes, rent storage, find a reliable moving company, etc. Our environment has never been more polluted than today and it’s high time we start changing our moving habits. Use containers you already have, rent plastic containers, and recycle moving boxes. Environmental awareness is important and we all have to do our part. We wish you a happy and safe relocation. Enjoy this new chapter of your life.