With every move, new issues can arise. These may not necessarily be big problems, but small ones that previously never occurred to us. In some cases, it’s an inconvenience, while in other cases, it can lead to a disaster. But what are these residential moving issues you never thought mattered before?

To be honest, moving projects of all kinds are full of tiny details that are easy to miss. In my work with Viktoria Movers, I’m regularly asked about packing and wrapping tips for items that I had never thought about before. One woman once asked me how best to prevent her necklaces from tangling together on her jewelry bag. I was stumped until I asked a female colleague who knows such things. The answer? Thread them through ordinary plastic straws. Simple!

Inspired by the simple logic contain in that solution, I’ve put together a short list of some of the other things you probably have never considered, or thought even mattered, when moving house.

5 Things You Never Thought Mattered When Moving

1. 1. Remove Light Bulbs From LampsYou have grown attached to your favorite bedside lamp, the one you picked up for a bargain a few Christmases ago and has loyally illuminated the pages of dozens of novels since then. But do you really feel so close to its blub? Its egg-shell thin glass means even the smallest fall can result in breakage, so it’s best to simply remove the light bulb from the lamp completely. You can wrap them individually and pack them as you might a delicate vase, but most people simply leave them behind.
   2. Prepare Your ClocksOne of the most vital items for any home, but also (ironically) one of the most overlooked when it comes to preparing for packing. If your clock is electronically powered, you should disconnect and wrap up the power cable. If it is battery powered, you need to remove the batteries.

      Some carriage and hallway clocks have pendulums. These should be secured tightly to the base of the clock, with some material carefully positioned behind it to prevent it from moving around. Or it can be removed completely, wrapped in a bag and taped to the back of the clock. In the case of grandfather clocks, the pendulum needs to be tended to, but also the weights and chimes that hang on chains. The chains can be wrapped together in a coil and affixed to the base of the clock, but the weights and chimes may need to be wrapped and packed separately.

      For more, check out guides on moving grandfather clocks and moving antique clocks.

   3. Take Photographic EvidenceIt seems a bit obsessive to take photographs of your possessions before they are wrapped and packed, but there are two good reasons for it.

      Firstly, you’ll have clear photographic evidence of the condition your valuables were in before being moved, so any disagreement with a moving company can be quickly resolved. This is particularly useful when items of furniture have scratches that you were sure was not there earlier.

      Secondly, it’s useful when you have to reassemble items. I tend to throw the assembly instructions away once I’ve completed it the first time, but while disassembling is quick and simple, putting it all back together can leave me scratching my head a little. A photo (or series of photos) can help greatly.

   4. Vacuum Pack ClothesAdmittedly, it was something that never occurred to us until my wife’s best friend looked at us with that distinctive “Why are you doing it that way?” expression. The problem? So many boxes taken up by our clothes. The solution? Vacuum pack the clothing to reduce even thick sweaters and moleskin jackets to handy folder-sized packets. This means a lot more can fit into a single cardboard box, but keep in mind that the weight does not change. Here are some tips on how to vacuum pack clothes.
   5. Defrost Your RefrigeratorWe all know about emptying the refrigerator of its contents. That is pretty logical when you don’t want bottles of orange juice being thrown around in there, unsettling the yogurts, vegetables and cheese slices.  It’s best just to eat and drink it all before the move, and dispense of the leftovers responsibly.

      But there is also the small matter of the ice in your refrigerator. Remember, once the machine is unplugged there is nothing to maintain the low temperature, so the ice is going to melt and could cause damage. Residential moving services are not covered for these instances (because defrosting is your responsibility, not theirs). So, save yourself the headache and defrost your refrigerator overnight on the eve of your move. It should be fine by the morning. Hints for defrosting and moving a refrigerator.

Stop and Think

There are many other little things to consider – too many to list here, and certainly enough to keep me thinking for longer than the time I have. But I would advise you to sit down and think about what your items to pack. Take your time. Think it through. And you’d be surprise what springs to mind.

And remember, there is no problem in asking us here at Viktoria Movers for some more pointers if you want to be fully prepared. It’s all part of our residential moving service, and we’re always happy to help.