Look at moving as a chance to purge and organize. Make piles of items that you want to donate, sell and toss. Make arrangements for a charity to pick up items that you will donate when the packing is complete. Below are some additional packing tips that can make your move a lot less stressful:

• Get rid of outdated documents or junk mail and shred papers with personal information.

• Avoid the temptation of reminiscing about the items you are packing; you will have lots of time to leisurely go through your items after you move.

• Make a binder and put in all the essential moving information; this will become a valuable guide on the day of moving.

• Start by packing items from rooms that are least used; for example, out-of-season clothes guest room contents or bulk items are ideal as a starting point.

• Create zones for packing in every room. You will require a space for supplies, the giveaway pile, empty boxes, room for filled boxes, an area to pack and sufficient space to walk around.

• Wear an apron with pockets or a tool belt to keep supplies such as labels, markers, scissors and tape.

• Wipe items with a microfiber cloth before putting them in boxes; this will ensure that the items will be clean when they are unpacked.

• Use sturdy moving boxes so that they will not break under the pressure. Buying double-ply boxes will safeguard your items and endure the process of moving.

• Make use of smaller boxes for items that are heavier and ensure that each box is packed with the heaviest items to the bottom.

• Buy heaps of newsprint packing paper to wrap the majority of your belongings. It provides excellent cushioning and does not leave black marks.

• Wrap small items in colored tissue paper; this will assist these items in standing out so that they do not get accidentally thrown away.

• Packing boxes should be filled to capacity or they might get dented or crushed. Utilize packing material to fill empty spaces and corners.

• Remember to ask your movers to provide mattress bags or buy them for moving day. You do not want to spend your first night sleeping on a dirty mattress.

Packing is an essential part of moving and it can be made less of a hassle if the guidelines above are followed.