Moving Hacks [Inclement Weather meets Awkward Transition Edition]
January 26, 2019 1:22 PM Subscribe
I’m moving this week but I’ve got some snowflakes that don’t come up when I search the archives for past AskMes tagged for moving/packing. Help!
Moving situation:
- I’m moving from my current place (single family home) to a a temporary/transition space (friend’s furnished basement apartment) for about 2-3 months. Then I’m moving out of the country.
Current plan of action:
- Stuff that I want to take with me on the big move, but don’t need while I’m transitioning, is going to a climate controlled storage unit
- Stuff I haven’t already sold is already in the process of being 1) given to friends or 2) donated
- For anything else left over that I’m not keeping, I’m hiring a junk hauler
IMPORTANT CONTEXT:
- We’ve had heavy rain and snow the past few weeks and my backyard is a MUDSLIDE. It’s got a steep slope. Unfortunately, some items in my basement need to be moved out the sliding glass door in the basement (which means walking them up that steep muddy slope) because I can’t fit them up the stairs.
What I need some advice on:
- How to safely move furniture up a steep and muddy back yard. It’s not a long walk up the slope, but just enough that you will end up falling or slipping, especially if you’re pushing or pulling a lot of weight. I *could* back my car down there to just outside the sliding glass door, but I don’t want to damage the property owner’s lawn/grass while my tires tear through all of that mud. Just doesn’t seem like a cool thing to do.
- How does one protect a mattress when moving it? It’s a queen size memory foam mattress. Is there some kind of inexpensive hack I can cobble together to protect it from damage/stains? Tape a couple plastic tarps together, or is there something better than this?
- I have some nice unused craft supplies and quality kitchenware/appliances I don’t intend to keep and that friends don’t want- is there a place I can donate these where they will have more of a positive impact than if I simply gave them to Goodwill? I’m in the northern Virginia area outside DC.
Also:
- Even though I’m moving to a (lightly) furnished basement temporarily, I think it’s a good idea to take a couple things to make it feel homey. I’m bringing a small electric decorative furnace/space heater, a papa saun chair, a small round foldable coffee table, a TV stand and my TV/stereo, and of course my clothes/basic necessities.
- Is there anything else I am not thinking of that might feel “nice” or “homey” to keep with me while I’m in transition? I will have access to the upstairs kitchen but I’m an introvert and sometimes I just like to stay in my space. I was thinking it might be nice to bring one water glass, one coffee mug, maybe a small stack of books I enjoy rereading/perusing, and of course my own bedding/pillows. I’ve considered getting a cheap mini fridge and cheap microwave just temporarily. Is there something else I’m not thinking?
Moving situation:
- I’m moving from my current place (single family home) to a a temporary/transition space (friend’s furnished basement apartment) for about 2-3 months. Then I’m moving out of the country.
Current plan of action:
- Stuff that I want to take with me on the big move, but don’t need while I’m transitioning, is going to a climate controlled storage unit
- Stuff I haven’t already sold is already in the process of being 1) given to friends or 2) donated
- For anything else left over that I’m not keeping, I’m hiring a junk hauler
IMPORTANT CONTEXT:
- We’ve had heavy rain and snow the past few weeks and my backyard is a MUDSLIDE. It’s got a steep slope. Unfortunately, some items in my basement need to be moved out the sliding glass door in the basement (which means walking them up that steep muddy slope) because I can’t fit them up the stairs.
What I need some advice on:
- How to safely move furniture up a steep and muddy back yard. It’s not a long walk up the slope, but just enough that you will end up falling or slipping, especially if you’re pushing or pulling a lot of weight. I *could* back my car down there to just outside the sliding glass door, but I don’t want to damage the property owner’s lawn/grass while my tires tear through all of that mud. Just doesn’t seem like a cool thing to do.
- How does one protect a mattress when moving it? It’s a queen size memory foam mattress. Is there some kind of inexpensive hack I can cobble together to protect it from damage/stains? Tape a couple plastic tarps together, or is there something better than this?
- I have some nice unused craft supplies and quality kitchenware/appliances I don’t intend to keep and that friends don’t want- is there a place I can donate these where they will have more of a positive impact than if I simply gave them to Goodwill? I’m in the northern Virginia area outside DC.
Also:
- Even though I’m moving to a (lightly) furnished basement temporarily, I think it’s a good idea to take a couple things to make it feel homey. I’m bringing a small electric decorative furnace/space heater, a papa saun chair, a small round foldable coffee table, a TV stand and my TV/stereo, and of course my clothes/basic necessities.
- Is there anything else I am not thinking of that might feel “nice” or “homey” to keep with me while I’m in transition? I will have access to the upstairs kitchen but I’m an introvert and sometimes I just like to stay in my space. I was thinking it might be nice to bring one water glass, one coffee mug, maybe a small stack of books I enjoy rereading/perusing, and of course my own bedding/pillows. I’ve considered getting a cheap mini fridge and cheap microwave just temporarily. Is there something else I’m not thinking?
U Haul, Home Depot, and other places that sell moving supplies sell mattress bags.
posted by MelissaSimon at 2:37 PM on January 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by MelissaSimon at 2:37 PM on January 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
Homey stuff: I would take some favorite pieces of art/wall-hangings, posters, or the like. Think about the available space and the things you enjoy looking at and pick two or three. Having done this kind of thing before, I know just having some familiar, loved items to look at makes a big difference. I have a couple of small rugs I would take if I were doing this now, so if you have anything like that it can help. Also, for that length of time, some kind of food comfort, the mini fridge/microwave, or perhaps a hotplate arrangement? If you are a coffee drinker maybe take a coffee maker and mug or other such peripherals.
Good luck with your move!
posted by luaz at 2:54 PM on January 26, 2019
Good luck with your move!
posted by luaz at 2:54 PM on January 26, 2019
- How to safely move furniture up a steep and muddy back yard.
The cheap options: open up some moving boxes and lay them down along the path. Plywood or similar scrap wood (or, on preview, something made for this exact purpose, as unearthed recommends) would be better, but you probably have easier access to moving boxes. If you have enough friends, you can have two of them be designated as box moving friends, who shift the footing cardboard around, so that you just need four or so boxes rather than enough to cover the entire distance.
- How does one protect a mattress when moving it?
As the above comments say, one can buy mattress protector bags for this purpose. Walmart, Target, Canadian Tire, etc. also sell them (fyi, if you ever need one that seals against bugs or allergens, such fancy ones are available, in addition to the basic vinyl/plastic ones). They come in a couple different sizes (twin, queen/full/double, and king), are shaped like a mattress, and have a zipper so you don't have to worry about tape.
- is there a place I can donate these where they will have more of a positive impact than if I simply gave them to Goodwill?
Undoubtedly. Search the internet for "[your location] [your cause or charity of choice (not all will be available, so try a couple, or just "charity")] used item donation". Schools would probably appreciate the craft stuff, as would women's shelters. Women's shelters or homeless shelters would probably appreciate the kitchen stuff. There are stores like Goodwill but where the profits go to, eg., AIDS coalitions or something, as well - not sure what along these lines is available in your region, though.
- Is there anything else I am not thinking of that might feel “nice” or “homey” to keep with me while I’m in transition?
You've covered most of the bases. If there's a framed photo that's important to you or other decorative item that you have a good emotional attachment to, and that you will be bringing on your eventual move anyway, that would probably be nice to have in the temporary space. 2-3 months is temporary, yes, but it's not, like, hotel-level short-term stay.
posted by eviemath at 3:00 PM on January 26, 2019
The cheap options: open up some moving boxes and lay them down along the path. Plywood or similar scrap wood (or, on preview, something made for this exact purpose, as unearthed recommends) would be better, but you probably have easier access to moving boxes. If you have enough friends, you can have two of them be designated as box moving friends, who shift the footing cardboard around, so that you just need four or so boxes rather than enough to cover the entire distance.
- How does one protect a mattress when moving it?
As the above comments say, one can buy mattress protector bags for this purpose. Walmart, Target, Canadian Tire, etc. also sell them (fyi, if you ever need one that seals against bugs or allergens, such fancy ones are available, in addition to the basic vinyl/plastic ones). They come in a couple different sizes (twin, queen/full/double, and king), are shaped like a mattress, and have a zipper so you don't have to worry about tape.
- is there a place I can donate these where they will have more of a positive impact than if I simply gave them to Goodwill?
Undoubtedly. Search the internet for "[your location] [your cause or charity of choice (not all will be available, so try a couple, or just "charity")] used item donation". Schools would probably appreciate the craft stuff, as would women's shelters. Women's shelters or homeless shelters would probably appreciate the kitchen stuff. There are stores like Goodwill but where the profits go to, eg., AIDS coalitions or something, as well - not sure what along these lines is available in your region, though.
- Is there anything else I am not thinking of that might feel “nice” or “homey” to keep with me while I’m in transition?
You've covered most of the bases. If there's a framed photo that's important to you or other decorative item that you have a good emotional attachment to, and that you will be bringing on your eventual move anyway, that would probably be nice to have in the temporary space. 2-3 months is temporary, yes, but it's not, like, hotel-level short-term stay.
posted by eviemath at 3:00 PM on January 26, 2019
Re: the mud slide situation, what we typically do in construction is build a "plywood highway." Basically you get enough sheets of the cheapest plywood you can find to stretch from Point A to Point B (distance in feet divided by eight, multiplied by 1.1 for overlap) and then lay them out across the mud. Yep it's a pain, but if there's a better way I've not heard of it.
You can get mattress bags, or just get plastic sheeting at Home Depot and wrap it in that.
I would wait until you are actually in your transition space before buying anything to add to it. You'll only need things that you can't live without for 2-3 months. Save your money, you're gonna need it on the other side of this move. If you discover that you just can't do without this or that item, I'm sure you'll discover that right away.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 4:40 PM on January 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
You can get mattress bags, or just get plastic sheeting at Home Depot and wrap it in that.
I would wait until you are actually in your transition space before buying anything to add to it. You'll only need things that you can't live without for 2-3 months. Save your money, you're gonna need it on the other side of this move. If you discover that you just can't do without this or that item, I'm sure you'll discover that right away.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 4:40 PM on January 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
I might go for a toaster oven over a microwave: small models should be cheaper new; you can get a nice one for $30ish, also they are semi-common at thrift stores. But it depends a bit on what you like etc, I’m partial to late night cheese toast, YMMV.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:26 PM on January 26, 2019
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:26 PM on January 26, 2019
Maybe something to consider buying rather than bringing, but a large wall mirror can help make a space like that feel more open and brighter. It can be cheap dorm-room quality or check flea markets/yard sales/thrift stores.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:47 AM on January 27, 2019
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:47 AM on January 27, 2019
- is there a place I can donate these where they will have more of a positive impact than if I simply gave them to Goodwill?
Probably, BUT: I just moved (so let me say I'm so sorry, it's a rough experience) depending on how much you have to do and how much planning time you have, it is OK not to optimize your giving away of stuff. The time to optimize that is before moving tasks are really under the gun deadline-wise, and you sound like you're past that horizon. You can't afford to spend a few remaining days running around/arranging pickups and drop-offs for a handful of things. Goodwill does a darn nice job with what they accept. BUt another really easy option is to list it for free on a local Facebook buy/sell/swap page and leave it out on the porch for a self-pickup. Craft supplies should go easy there.
Moving's hard, make it easy on yourself.
posted by Miko at 11:18 AM on January 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Probably, BUT: I just moved (so let me say I'm so sorry, it's a rough experience) depending on how much you have to do and how much planning time you have, it is OK not to optimize your giving away of stuff. The time to optimize that is before moving tasks are really under the gun deadline-wise, and you sound like you're past that horizon. You can't afford to spend a few remaining days running around/arranging pickups and drop-offs for a handful of things. Goodwill does a darn nice job with what they accept. BUt another really easy option is to list it for free on a local Facebook buy/sell/swap page and leave it out on the porch for a self-pickup. Craft supplies should go easy there.
Moving's hard, make it easy on yourself.
posted by Miko at 11:18 AM on January 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
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Mattresses - go to a bed shop and ask if they have any bed bags they often give them away free here. Just duct tape them closed.
posted by unearthed at 1:46 PM on January 26, 2019