On the Move?
You’ve got this. From expert tips to our handy moving calculator, Scotch™ Brand has the tools to help you pack with purpose and move with confidence.
You’ve got this. From expert tips to our handy moving calculator, Scotch™ Brand has the tools to help you pack with purpose and move with confidence.
You’ve got this. From expert tips to our handy moving calculator, Scotch™ Brand has the tools to help you pack with purpose and move with confidence.
Getting Started
Moving is a big step – and a big opportunity. This guide breaks the process into four clear phases to help you stay focused, stay organized, and stay on track.
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Making sure you have the right supplies is the first step. Start with a moving calculator, so you know what you need to get started.
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Smart tips to keep your essentials protected and your packing stress-free.
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Stay sharp on the big day with clever ways to simplify and stay organized.
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Turn your new house into a home faster, calmer, and more confidently.
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Moving Supplies
Skip the guesswork. Moving.com offers a Packing & Moving Calculator that makes it easy to figure out how many boxes, rolls of packaging and other moving supplies you may need.
Open the calculator, answer a few quick questions about your current home and living style and you’ll immediately see a list of recommended supplies:
- Answer four quick questions about your home and lifestyle.
- Hit “Calculate” to generate your customized supply list.
- Print or email your list so it’s ready when you are.
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Packing Advice
Smart packing makes everything easier, from loading up to settling in. The right techniques keep your stuff safe, your move organized, and your first day in your new place way less stressful.
How to Pack Moving Boxes
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1. Start Early: Place assembled Scotch™ Moving Boxes around your home as a visual cue to pack daily. One strip of Scotch® Heavy Duty Tape is all you need to seal the bottom.
2. Fill Smart: Fill boxes fully — but don’t overpack. Use smaller boxes for heavy items like books to avoid back strain and make stacking easier.
3. Securely Wrap Valuables: Protect fragile items with Scotch™ Cushion Wrap or Scotch™ Cushion Lock™. This is safer than using old newspapers, as the newspaper ink can leave an imprint on your items.
4. Protect Your Dishes: Wrap dishes in Scotch™ Cushion Wrap or Scotch™ Cushion Lock™ and stand them upright like vinyl records to reduce damage.
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5. Add Extra Protection: Use Scotch™ Cushion Lock™ expanding wrap for an extra layer of protection around delicate or oddly shaped items.
6. Plan for Storage: Using long-term storage? Scotch™ Long Lasting Storage Tape is designed for hot attics and cold basements — no cracking or peeling over time.
7. Pack an Essentials Box: Designate one Scotch™ Moving Box for your must-haves: coffee supplies, toiletries, tools, and cleaning products. Load it last, unpack it first.
How to Label Moving Boxes
Label smarter, unpack faster. A few strategic moves now will save you major stress later.
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1. Color-Code Everything: Assign each room or family member a different color using Scotch® Masking Tape that comes in a variety of colors.
2. Label All Sides: Mark every side of the box so no matter how it’s stacked, you’ll always know what’s inside.
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3. Mark Fragile Items: Use “FRAGILE” and arrows to show which side faces up. It helps ensure extra care during the move.
4. Secure Hardware: Tape hardware bags directly to furniture with Scotch® Heavy Duty Packaging Tape. No lost screws, no surprise rebuilds.
Moving Day Hacks
Even with a solid plan, moving day can get messy. These clever tips help keep things calm, clean, and under control.
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6 Hacks for a Smoother Move
1. Disassemble with a Plan: Bag up hardware and label with Scotch® Washi Tape. Then tape the bag to its furniture using Scotch® Heavy Duty Packaging Tape.
2. Tame the Cords: Wrap and label cables with Scotch® Washi Tape so you know what goes where. No tangles mean no mystery wires later.
3. Stick Small Parts Together: No bag? Use a strip of Scotch® Heavy Duty Tape to secure screws, caps, and hardware directly to furniture.
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4. Bind the Awkward Stuff: Bundle up skis, brooms, lamp stands and more with stretch wrap. It’s way easier to carry and less likely to get left behind.
5. Protect the Big Stuff: For oversized or fragile items like art or TVs, combine Scotch™ Cushion Wrap and Scotch® Heavy Duty Tape. Need a custom box? Get scrappy with wardrobe boxes and tape your own.
6. Label, Label, Label: Keep a permanent marker handy and label every box by room as you go so you don’t lose track of any boxes later.
Settling In
Before the unpacking begins, make sure your essentials are close at hand. A little prep now means a much calmer first night.
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Unpack Your 24-Hour Box
Pack a Scotch™ Moving Box with everything you’ll want easy access to on day one – from toilet paper and bed sheets to a coffee maker and Scotch™ Unboxing Scissors.
Pro tip: Color code it with Scotch® Masking Tape so it’s easy to find the moment you step in the door. It’s your first-night toolkit for a smoother move-in.
Ways to Make Moving Easier
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1. Keep Kids Busy: Give kids a creative task. Have them draw their new room, house or street. Hang their art with Scotch® Wall-Safe Tape to help them feel at home.
2. Protect Your Walls: Wrap box corners with Scotch™ Cushion Wrap and secure with ScotchBlue™ Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape to prevent scuffs in tight spaces.
3. Stabilize Artwork: Wrap 3-4 frames together using Scotch™ Cushion Wrap, flattened boxes and Scotch® Heavy Duty Packaging Tape. Cover hardware with extra tape to avoid scratches.
4. Prevent Dents in Furniture: Wrap flattened moving boxes around chair and sofa backs, then secure with Scotch® Heavy Duty Packaging Tape.
5. Protect Upholstered Furniture: For hard-to-wrap areas like arms and legs, use Scotch™ Cushion Wrap and seal with Scotch® Heavy Duty Packaging Tape.
Sustainable Moving Tips
Sustainability starts with small shifts, and Scotch™ Brand makes them easy to stick to. Here’s how to move smarter and greener.
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Pack with Less Plastic: Swap bubble cushion wrap for Scotch™ Cushion Lock™ Protective Wrap, a sustainable alternative that is made with 100% recycled paper and is curbside recyclable. Its all cushion and no plastic!
Seal Smarter: Choose Scotch® Heavy Duty Recycled Packaging Tape that features a backing made from 100% recycled plastic, including 70% ocean-bound plastic and 30% post-industrial plastic or go with Scotch® Box Lock™ Paper Tape.
Reuse Your Dispenser: Scotch® Heavy Duty Packaging Tape Dispensers are designed to be refilled again and again.
Repurpose and Recycle Boxes: Reuse moving boxes for storage, donate them, or recycle them through a local center or moving company.
Declutter and Donate: Lighten your load by donating what you don’t need. It’s less to move and more to give.
Move Efficiently: Pick the right-sized truck and plan your route to cut back on fuel, time and trips.
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Storage Tips After the Move
Still got stuff to stash? These quick tips (and a few trusty Scotch™ Brand Products) will help you stay organized for the long haul.
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Smart Storage in 8 Quick Tips
1. Pick the Right Boxes: Scotch™ Storage Boxes are built to last – sturdy, stackable and available in multiple sizes.
2. Label Clearly: Mark each box with a short list of contents. Use color-coded markers or tape by room or category.
3. Seal it Tight: Use Scotch® Long Lasting Storage Tape – it offers a durable hold and long lasting protection even in extreme temperatures (-25 to 160F).
4. Pack Like a Pro: Heavy stuff on the bottom, light stuff on top. Fill empty space with Scotch® Cushion Wrap or Scotch® Cushion Lock™ to prevent shifting.
5. Protect Fragile Items: Wrap breakables individually, pad them well, and label boxes as “Fragile.”
6. Make an Inventory: Track what’s in each box with a digital doc or handwritten list. It’ll save you serious time later.
7. Stack Safely: Store heavy boxes on the bottom, light ones on top. Keep everything off the ground if possible and away from damp areas.
8. Refill and Reuse: Use refillable Scotch® dispensers and always have tape ready when you need it.
