23 Moving Hacks for a Faster, Easier, and Less Stressful Move

Dusty Rhodes • December 16, 2019

We've all been through a move at some point in our lives, and we can all agree that it's easy for it to become chaotic and overwhelming. But that really doesn't have to be the case. From Moving.com, here are 23 moving hacks to make your next move more bearable:


Moving is a part of life. And whether you move often or are packing up your bags for the first time in a long time, it’s a notoriously stressful process that can take its toll on even the best of planners. Fortunately, while moving isn’t necessarily easy on anyone, there are some ways to pack and unpack faster, reduce the amount of work, and ultimately make the process go just a bit smoother than it might otherwise. Sound too good to be true? Try these moving hacks for yourself and discover creative ways to improve your move.


Getting prepared

There are a lot of things you can do before you even pack up that first box to help facilitate an easier move. The moving hacks below will help you start off on the right foot.


Call the utility companies as soon as you know you’re moving. Cancelling your utilities at the place you’re vacating and setting them up at your new home doesn’t take much more than a couple phone calls, but once you get super busy with your move it’s easy to neglect this all-important task. Tackle it as soon as you know your new address and you’ll not only get it out of the way early on, you’ll also ensure you don’t forget to do it.


Find a mover fast. Planning on hiring professional movers but not sure where to start? Use moving.com to find movers near you that have already been vetted for quality and reliability. Just make sure to ask for quotes from at least three different companies so you can be sure to get the best price.


Set your budget. Moving can get expensive, and you don’t want to end up with major sticker shock on top of everything else. Take advantage of our online moving cost calculator and figure out how much you can expect to spend.


Make donation pick-up arrangements. If you know you’ll be donating big items like furniture and rugs, schedule a pick-up ahead of time so you can be sure you have an organization that can come get them. Use a site like Zealous Good to list the items you’ll be donating and give local charities a chance to request them, or schedule a pick-up with Goodwill, Salvation Army, or another organization that will take your donations off your hands.


Plan out your packing supplies. Use our packing calculator to get a good idea of just how much you’ll need in terms of packing supplies. This way, you can be sure to get what you need on the first run to the store.


Eat up. Moving the items in your fridge, pantry, and freezer can be a real pain. On the flip side, not moving them and just throwing them out instead is majorly wasteful. Find a happy medium by making it a goal to eat as much of the food you already have in your house as you can before moving day arrives. Turn it into a game and get creative with recipes to see how much you can use up. Do good at the same time by donating unopened/unexpired food to a local food bank.


Packing

Packing is one of the areas that moving hacks come in handy the most. There are lots of ways to cut corners and save yourself time while also making sure your belongings are protected. Here are some you may want to make use of.


Don’t empty out your dresser drawers. Instead of taking clothes and other items out of dresser drawers and packing them into boxes, simply take the drawers out of the dresser, leave the items in there, and secure them by wrapping up the drawer in plastic wrap. If it’s not too heavy, you can leave the drawers in the dresser and just wrap up the dresser itself in plastic wrap.


Leave your clothes on the hanger. It’s a ton of extra work to unhang clothes, fold them, box them, and then hang them back up at your new place. Skip the unnecessary steps by leaving clothes on their hangers and either grouping them up and wrapping them in large garbage bags or hanging them in a wardrobe box.


Put your linens, towels, and other soft items to use. Wrap up breakables like glasses or perfume bottles in socks for serious padding, and use linens and towels to provide cushioning for fragile, difficult to wrap items like lamps and vases. In the kitchen, use dish towels to securely wrap up knives and other sharp objects, securing them on there with a rubber band.


Use pots to hold small items. Instead of wasting additional boxes for small kitchen items like spices and gadgets, fill up your large pots and other sealable containers with them. You’ll save a ton of space.


Wrap a small bit of plastic wrap around things that might spill. Prevent spills in transit by using plastic wrap to secure the lids of things like soap, shampoo, cleaning supplies, and other items you don’t want poured out all over your things.


Pack your suitcases. You can get away with packing a lot of heavy things in suitcases since their wheels make them easy to move. Use suitcases to pack things that aren’t so easily transported in boxes, such as books and heavy serving dishes.


Color code boxes. Save time with your box labeling by picking up a sheet of different colored stickers and assigning each color a room. That way, you’ll be able to identify what needs to go where super quickly, and you won’t have to hunt for the marker every single time you seal up a box.


Take pictures of box contents. Snap a quick pic of the inside of boxes after they’re packed in case you need to jog your memory later about what’s where. While you won’t be able to capture every item in the shot, it should help you get a general idea of what you’ll find in each box.


Take a picture of the back of your TV. It can be difficult to remember where all those wires go. While your TV is still plugged in, take a picture of the back of it so you’ll remember how to set it back up later.


Put together a moving essentials bag. Pack a small duffle bag or suitcase with the items you’ll need access to during your move and right after you’ve arrived at your new place. Your moving essentials bag may include important documents, medications, chargers, basic toiletries, a couple changes of clothes, etc. The goal is to know exactly where to look when you need these things instead of having to hunt around.


Moving day

Moving day itself is often one of the hardest parts of the move (and usually the most tiring!). These moving hacks will help you get through it.


Pack a cooler. With all the chaos of moving day it’s very easy to get dehydrated or not eat enough. Stock a cooler with easy-to-grab items that can keep your strength up throughout the day, like water bottles and quick snacks. Move it with you in the car instead of the moving truck so you can access it whenever you need to.


Have a plan for little kids and pets. If your kids are too young to help on moving day, your best bet is to have them out with friends or family to relieve a bit of your stress and keep them safe. The same goes for pets. If you can, arrange alternate plans for your little ones and your furry ones—you’ll all be happier.


Be packed up the day before moving day. Last minute packing can slow down your entire day. Make it a goal to be completely packed before your movers arrive or it’s time to pick up the rental truck. That way, you can focus right away on accomplishing the task at hand.


Unpacking

You’ve finally arrived, but there’s still more to be done. Here’s how to stop procrastinating and speed up the unpacking process.


Start with the kitchen. The kitchen tends to be the most complicated and time intensive room to get unpacked, and the longer you wait to start, the more stressed out you’ll be about it. Getting it done first will give you a big sense of accomplishment right off the bat and allow you to fully focus on the easier-to-unpack rooms.


Give yourself a deadline. There’s no real timeline when it comes to unpacking, which makes procrastinating all the more alluring. Schedule a housewarming party or a more casual get together for a few weeks after your move to provide yourself with a set end date for having it all done.


Do a little bit at a time. Don’t stress yourself out trying to get every single box unpacked right away. Get the major things done, and then focus instead on doing what you can as you can, devoting just ten or fifteen minutes at a time to unpacking instead of feeling like you need to spend hours on it. It will all get done eventually.


Get rid of boxes as you empty them. As soon as a box is emptied of all its items, break it down and recycle it. This will give you a physical marker of progress and clear up much-needed space in your new home.


Moving hacks are all about making things just a bit easier on yourself. Follow the ones above and you’ll notice that, this time around, maybe your move isn’t quite as bad as you expected it to be.


Source: Moving.com


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!


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What Everyone’s Getting Wrong About the Rise in New Home Inventory

By Dusty Rhodes • September 2, 2025
You may have seen talk online that new home inventory is at its highest level since the crash. And if you lived through the crash back in 2008, seeing new construction is up again may feel a little scary. But here’s what you need to remember: a lot of what you see online is designed to get clicks. So, you may not be getting the full story. A closer look at the data and a little expert insight can change your perspective completely. Why This Isn’t Like 2008 While it’s true the number of new homes on the market hit its highest level since the crash, that’s not a reason to worry. That’s because new builds are just one piece of the puzzle. They don’t tell the full story of what’s happening today. To get the real picture of how much inventory we have and how it compares to the surplus we saw back then, you’ve got to look at both new homes and existing homes (homes that were lived in by a previous owner). When you combine those two numbers , it’s clear overall supply looks very different today than it did around the crash ( see graph below ):

Homebuilders Are Relying More on Buyer Incentives To Battle Sluggish Market

By Dusty Rhodes • August 25, 2025
omebuilder sentiment remained weak in August, with the use of incentives hitting a post-COVID high as builders struggled to lure reluctant buyers off the sidelines. In August, 66% of builders reported using sales incentives such as discounts or mortgage rate buydowns , up from 62% in July and the highest percentage in at least five years, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released Monday. The survey showed that 37% of builders reported cutting prices in August—little changed from 38% in July. The average price reduction was 5% this month, where it has held steady since November. Overall builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 32 in August, down one point from July. Anything below 50 reflects negative homebuilder sentiment about the market. “Affordability continues to be the top challenge for the housing market and buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to drop to move forward,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes . “Builders are also grappling with supply-side headwinds, including ongoing frustrations with regulatory policies connected to developing land and building homes.”

18 Reasons To Hire A Cleaning Service: Your Home Will Thank You

By Dusty Rhodes • August 18, 2025
Sooner or later, dust, dirt, crumbs, dander, hair, and other nameless debris build up on the surfaces of your furniture and begin to linger in the air of your home, requiring a deep and thorough clean. While many home cleaning projects can be addressed using standard supplies and a little elbow grease, others can be a more substantial undertaking that requires the need to hire a cleaning service. Bigger projects, like roof and exterior window cleaning, can require equipment, time, and safety precautions better left to professional cleaners. Likewise, delicate or valued items such as antique rugs or draperies, which may seem like easy cleaning tasks to undertake, can easily result in damage or fading if cleaned improperly. Whether you’re looking to get a jump-start on some spring cleaning for your apartment in Los Angeles, CA, increase the home value for your home in Atlanta, GA, or tackle some general home maintenance projects around your rental house in Portland, OR, here are 18 reasons why you should hire a cleaning service for just a little extra help. 1) Black or green areas are overpowering your roof’s appearance Have you noticed dark stains or green areas appearing on your roof? These substances are more than likely caused by algae, fungus, lichen, or moss, which can lead to shingle deterioration and wood rot if left unattended. Roofing generally doesn’t need regular cleaning, but when mold, algae, or soot residue starts to build up, it’s best to call in a professional. Proper cleaning extends the lifespan of your roofing materials or shingles and can even improve your home’s curb appeal . However, spending time on a roof can be very dangerous without the right safety equipment. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, the chemicals used to clean these substances off your roof can be caustic, meaning they can cause burns. Most roof cleaners contain sodium hypochlorite and occasionally zinc sulfate, so this is a job best left to the pros. Roofs should be cleaned as needed, generally once every few years. However, homes in areas with a harsher climate may need more regular attention. 2) Rainwater is overflowing from your gutters Gutters are often forgotten in our maintenance routines, but they play a crucial role in preventing water damage in a home, and neglecting them could have serious – and costly – effects in the long run. Efficient gutters will collect and divert rainwater or melted snow, preventing it from damaging walls and the foundation. However, leaves, sticks, dirt, and even birds nests can quickly clog gutters, compromising their functionality. One of the reasons to hire a cleaning service is that a professional cleaner has the necessary equipment to prevent the outlet from getting clogged by clearing leaves, soil, or organic debris that frequently collects in gutters. Standing and climbing up and down a ladder while rooting around in the gutters can also be a dangerous task for a homeowner, especially on larger homes with substantial gutter systems. Professional cleaners have the industrial-strength equipment needed to effectively clear out clogs and inspect your gutters to ensure no repairs are required. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year and potentially more frequently for homes under large trees or in seasons with heavy rainfall and high winds. 3) There’s a lack of natural light coming through your windows Windows are easy enough to clean on the inside, but outside can be another story. This is especially true for exterior windows in larger homes with multiple stories or condos that are part of a larger building. It might seem like a relatively simple job to clean your home’s exterior windows on your own, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Using too much detergent or not rinsing that detergent off properly after washing can cause more dust and grime to stick to windows over time, making the glass dirtier than before. Moreover, if you live in an area with frequent rainfall like Seattle, WA , or New Orleans, LA , getting your windows professionally cleaned before a rainstorm prevents dirt and dust residue from scratching up and sticking to the glass. In these cases, hiring a professional is the best way to guarantee clean windows. Regular cleaning of your home’s exterior windows will not only keep them looking their best it also protects the window glass from long-term damage. Exterior windows should be cleaned annually at a minimum, but ideally, twice a year in parts of the country with high pollen counts. 4) A whistling sound is coming from your furnace A furnace system is ultimately best left to the professionals, from installation to cleaning. Dust and dirt can accumulate on any surface over time, and furnaces are no exception. A definite reason to hire a cleaning service is that the average homeowner might miss places where grime and dirt can build up and may not have the proper tools to give furnace systems the thorough cleaning they need. High pitched whistling or scraping noises are signs that dust, dirt, hair, or, if you have pets, dander could be clogging your furnace, indicating that it’s due for a filter change or cleaning. A dusty furnace can also cause breakdowns in your heating system by restricting airflow and lead to higher energy bills even when you’re not using your furnace more than usual. Furnace cleaning, which includes cleaning the combustion chamber and replacing the oil filter, should be performed at least once a year and is best handled by a pro. Getting a professional to clean and maintain your furnace annually will not only save you money on expensive repairs in the long run but also remove the dust and debris that will inevitably build up throughout the year. 5) You start to notice the high traffic areas in your carpets Carpets are a major component in your home and are subjected to heavy use daily, so we naturally want them to look as pristine as possible. While vacuuming is a good intermediary to remove loose particles on the carpet’s surface, it may not be enough to keep carpets truly clean. Soil that is inevitably tracked in and left in the carpet for too long can work its way into the fibers, making their removal highly difficult. And, over time, carpets and area rugs can become perfect traps for bacteria, allergens, pollens, and other pollutants that are naturally in the air. A professional carpet cleaner extracts the hidden particles from your carpet, from caked-in stains to debris, and goes above and beyond what even at-home carpet cleaners can do. Plus, regular carpet cleaning can increase home value and prolongs your carpet’s performance and is key to maintaining a tidy home. High traffic areas may need cleaning as often as twice a year, while lesser-used areas of a home may need cleaning once a year or whenever stains or spots are visible. 6) Your antique or expensive rugs are beginning to show some wear Antique or luxe rugs, such as Persian or oriental rugs, aren’t a good fit for a DIY carpet cleaner. In most cases, these rugs are delicate and easily destroyed, making their care a reason to hire a cleaning service. Plus, improper drying could result in a moldy rug. Pros know how to best clean fibers without causing damage, altering color, or leaving stains. Plus, you’ll be extending the lifespan of your rugs by ensuring it’s getting the necessary care by a professional rug cleaner. Since antique rugs don’t need regular cleaning – every year or two is fine – you can maintain your rugs with regular vacuuming unless spills or other messes occur. 7) Your drapery appears discolored Decorating with drapery is a great way to quickly add visual interest to your space and block out sunlight. However, over time, drapes naturally start to collect dust, odors, and allergens and may pose a health issue for people with allergies. Simple curtains, like those made of cotton or polyester, can go in the washer, but others made of sensitive fabric, such as silk or linen, might require more significant attention. At a minimum, dry cleaning may be necessary to clean without causing damage. Another reason to hire a cleaning service is that if the proper treatment method isn’t listed clearly, a professional cleaner can provide guidance on the appropriate cleaning required to remove dust, dirt, mold, or mildew. Lighter drapes more prone to dirt should be cleaned every six months, while heavier window treatments need care at least once a year to remove dust or dirt. In between professional cleaning, you can keep your drapery clean by regularly dusting them. 8) You want to extend the life of your home Routine deep cleaning can go a long way to protecting your home investment. “Hiring a professional cleaning company reduces wear and tear on home surfaces,” says Eric Phan of Bellevue Clean , a cleaning company in Bellevue, WA. “Proper maintenance by professionals can extend the lifespan of materials like hardwood floors, tiles, countertops, and bathroom fixtures by using the right cleaning methods and products. This, in turn, also maintains the value of your home!” Francis, owner of 321Maids.com , a cleaning service in Melbourne, FL, seconds this use of a professional cleaning service. “A professional cleaning service doesn’t just improve cleanliness — it helps protect your investment,” says Francis. “Regular deep cleans can extend the life of your furnishings, flooring, and fixtures, keeping your home in top condition and preventing costly repairs down the line.” 9) You’re moving and don’t want to deal with one more thing For those leaving their home for the next chapter in their lives, doing a deep clean is the last you want to do after packing the car. “ After moving out, a deep cleaning service helps restore the space to pristine condition, perfect for meeting landlord expectations or preparing for the next occupant,” shares Memo Ceballos, owner of Magic House Clean , a cleaning service in the Bay Area. “Professionals handle every detail, from baseboards to appliances so that you can focus on your next chapter stress-free.” 10) You’ve got your hands full with the kids When the kids are a handful, it gives you a great reason to hire a cleaning service. “For families with young kids, the mess can feel never-ending, and many parents tell us they’ve felt like they’re constantly falling behind,” says Theo from Bothell Cleaning , a cleaning service in Bothell, WA. Theo adds, “Toys scattered across the floor, sticky countertops, and laundry piling up can quickly turn into a source of daily stress. But once a regular cleaning schedule is in place, the entire dynamic shifts. The home feels calmer, routines run smoother, and parents feel more in control. It’s not just about cleanliness, it’s about creating a more peaceful environment for everyone.” 11) You’re preparing to stage your home for sale A clean home will help attract prospective buyers. “Hiring a cleaning service ensures your property is always show-ready, helping to attract buyers and tenants faster. Let us handle the details so you can focus on closing deals,” says Trisha Coffin of Sparkle and Shine , a cleaning service in Lincoln, NE. 12) Allergens are making you sneeze and sneeze If the dust mites are starting to get to you, but you don’t have time to do it yourself, that’s a good reason to hire a cleaning service. “Work, family, and life’s many demands can crowd out the time — and energy — needed to give your home the deep, healthy clean it deserves,” says Felix DuBose, owner of Pine & Soda , a commercial cleaning company in Seattle, WA. Felix adds, “A professional cleaning service removes hidden allergens and grime with commercial‑grade tools and eco‑friendly products, protecting both your investment and your well‑being while freeing up precious hours for what matters most.” 13) Something smells funky and you don’t know what it is or where it’s coming from Mystery smells are always no fun. If you’re tired of getting on your hands and knees, call a professional. “Hiring a cleaning company means saying farewell to those mystery smells you’ve been ignoring for way too long,” says Jennifer, owner and managing partner at Exceptional Home Clean . She adds, “Professional cleaners use top-quality products and techniques to eliminate odors at the source — not just mask them — giving your space a fresh, truly clean feel. Instead of spending hours scrubbing and guessing which product works best, let the experts handle it so you can breathe easy.” 14) Routine cleaning isn’t hacking it anymore Even the cleanest rooms need a deep cleaning every once in a while. “When grime creeps into grout lines, baseboards, and ceiling fan blades, quick wipe-downs no longer cut it and busy schedules push deep cleaning to the bottom of the to-do list,” shares Grayson Hogard of Futura Cleaning , a cleaning service for folks in Washington, Oregon, California, and Colorado. “A professional cleaning team arrives with the right equipment and a detailed checklist that reaches every corner, erasing stains, dust, and hidden allergens while protecting delicate finishes. The result is a healthier, brighter home, and evenings you can spend relaxing rather than scrubbing.” 15) You’re facing a cleaning problem that only professionals can tackle For anything potentially dangerous, it’s always a good call to bring in a professional. “When facing situations that go beyond everyday cleaning — like biohazards, rodent droppings, hoarding, or trauma scenes — Bio-One of Oceanside offers the expertise and care needed to restore your space safely,” says Doug, General Manager of Bio-One , a cleaning company in Oceanside, CA. 16) Stress is taking over A dirty space can cause additional stress, and if you’re already nearing your limit, call in a professional. “Life gets hectic and between work, friends, family, and everything else on your plate, that professional clean you know you should get is always moved down on the to-do list,” says Mopstar Cleaners , a home cleaning service in Phoenix, AZ. “A top-to-bottom, deep clean by Mopstar Cleaners doesn’t just transform how your home feels but also how you feel in it, all without the stress and exhaustion of doing it yourself.” For Dana Chequis of Ace of Maids Cleaning , a cleaning service in Salmon Arm, BC, coming home to a clean house is a gift. “Stress-free cleaning and coming home to a clean and fresh-smelling home is worth every penny. So much easier to have someone else do the work while I’m at work,” says Dana. To sum it up, hiring a cleaning service is like hitting an easy button for your life. “Your baseboards sparkle, your fridge no longer looks like a science experiment, and your weekends are yours again,” says Blake Hickman of SA Cleaning Service , a cleaning service in San Antonio, TX. “In today’s busy world, trading hours of scrubbing for a professionally cleaned home is not just convenient, it’s a smart investment in your most valuable resource: time.” 17) You need some time back If you’re running out of hours in the day, hiring a cleaning service can get you back the time you need. “Hiring a cleaning service isn’t just about having a tidy home — it’s about gaining back time, mental clarity, and a sense of control,” says Peter of Seattle Cleaning . “When life gets busy or your space starts to feel more chaotic than cozy, bringing in pros can make all the difference.” In today’s busy world, it’s hard to find the time to focus on cleaning. “Nowadays, most families require 2 parents to work to make ends meet. If they have children, their schedules are even more demanding, with school, activities, homework, and sporting events,” says Regine Farr of Cleanest By Farr , a cleaning service in Lincoln, Nebraska. “The last thing most families have on their priority list is to take the time to thoroughly clean and disinfect their homes. Even when selling their homes, people just do not have the time to get it cleaned up enough to get it on the market. In my years of cleaning, I cannot count how many times I have been told, ‘I don’t know what I would do without you and your cleaning service’” Brooke Lutes of Affordable Cleaning Services , a cleaning service for Northern Virginia, agrees that life can get in the way. “Life gets busy, and before you know it, the dust settles, the windows lose their shine, and the bathrooms get dirty. At Affordable Cleaning Services, we make it easy for you to reset—with a consistent team you choose, customized care, and that fresh, polished feeling your home deserves,” says Brooke. 18) You need some time with family For those with the funds, hiring a cleaning service can give you some much-needed time with your family. “Life gets busy, and cleaning often takes away precious moments you could spend relaxing, enjoying your family, or pursuing personal interests,” says April Prothero, founder of Going GreenHouse , a home cleaning service in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and Scottsdale, AZ. “Professional house cleaners have specialized tools and experience to tackle dirt and grime efficiently. Hiring experts means your home looks good and feels cleaner without the stress and hassle of doing it yourself.” The team at Select Home Cleaning , a home cleaning service in Florida seconds this use of a cleaning service. “In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a clean and healthy living space can easily fall by the wayside,” says Select Home Cleaning. “Hiring a cleaning service not only restores your home’s sparkle but also provides you with invaluable time to focus on what truly matters, whether it’s family, career, or personal well-being. A professional cleaning service ensures a consistently clean environment, contributing to a healthier and more enjoyable home.” In conclusion, sometimes you need a little help From hard-to-reach roof grime and overflowing gutters to delicate rugs and persistent allergens, keeping a home clean isn’t always a simple task, and it often requires more than just a quick vacuum or dusting. “Hiring a professional cleaning service makes keeping a spotless home effortless and stress-free,” says Wendy Montenegro and the team at Clean Splendid LLC , a cleaning service in Snohomish and King County, “Whether you want to renovate your space, tackle tough stains or prepare for a big move, cleaning experts offer customized solutions to suit your needs. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a clean and inviting home while saving time and energy.”  Whether you’re staging your home for sale, juggling a busy family life, or simply craving a fresh start, bringing in the experts can be the smartest investment you make for your space — and your peace of mind. After all, your home works hard for you — it’s time to return the favor.