Tips for Removing the Stress from Long-distance Moves

Whether you have moved across town or cross-country, it's natural to want to begin unpacking all the boxes once the movers have deposited them and left. But before you reconnect with your prized possessions, do a few things around the new house first, such as:

Clean

In theory, the new home you are moving into should already be clean, but that's rarely the case. Sure, it may look clean on the surface, but on closer inspection, it will likely still need some elbow grease. Even new construction will be dusty. Leaving your valuables safely tucked away in their boxes will make cleaning easier. 

• Clean out your kitchen cabinets. There's sure to be crumbs and cobwebs. If the top of the cabinets don't reach the ceiling, climb up there and scrub those down; it's doubtful the previous owners did. The last thing you want to do is place your little-used appliances and decorative items in a pile of dust.
• Wash the walls, baseboards, and woodwork. Don't forget things like the light switch plates, outlets, and doorknobs; places that are frequently germy and grimy with fingerprints.
• If you have a fireplace, call the chimney sweep to come and clean it. This is a messy job, and it's easier to clean up the residual soot if the room is empty sans the boxes in the middle of the room.
• Scrub the floors, getting each corner. Depending on the flooring type, you may want to have it waxed or polished as well. Rent a carpet cleaner or hire a professional to come and scrub and deodorize them. Disinfect the bathroom and install a new toilet seat.
• You may also want to have an exterminator come and inspect the premises to make sure you aren't dealing with an insect or rodent infestation before unpacking everything, too.
• If any of the rooms need painting, be sure to do this before moving on to the next step.

Unpack With A Plan

Hopefully, you have clearly marked the contents of each box and to which room it belongs. Do one room at a time, rather than working box by box. Start with the room that is most important. For most people, getting their kitchen and bedroom situated first is best. This way you can make meals and get rest while you do the hard work of unpacking.

Purge

You likely tried to minimize your stuff before you packed everything up and had the movers haul it temporarily away. But as you unpack the boxes in the new house, re-assess your possessions and make sure you really need them. Sometimes things that worked in one house won't work in another house. Get rid of it rather than cluttering up the basement, garage, or closets.

Check out a website like http://www.nextviewmoving.com/ for more information and assistance.