Moving day is finally here and you have everything packed and ready to go. Through the stress and excitement, you may have packed away a few items that you will need on hand for the big move. Make sure you leave out these 7 essential items so you aren’t frantically digging through boxes trying to find them when you need them. These essential moving items will help moving into your new rental home or apartment go smoothly.

Create a bag full of your moving day necessities, that we at Apartment Hunters have put together for you, and you will be prepared for anything the day may throw at you.

1. Chargers and a Speaker

When you’re moving from one city to another it is likely that you are using your GPS on your phone. You’re probably also making phone calls to friends who are helping or different places around town to be sure all utilities are turned on. Your battery on your phone is likely to die quickly and will need to be charged. Keep your phone charger handy so you don’t have to dig through boxes when you are running low on juice. 

It’s also a good idea to keep a bluetooth speaker within arms reach so you can keep spirits high while unloading the moving truck and setting up your apartment. 

2. Tool Kit and Batteries

You may not be ready to hang up family photos or change up kitchen cabinet pulls, but that does not mean you won’t have furniture that needs to be put together or a dryer that needs to be tightened. Keep a tool kit handy for whatever wrench may be thrown into your moving day plans. And while you’re at it, make sure to throw batteries into your tool kit. Double A and Triple A just to be safe. 

3. Cleaning Supplies and Toilet Paper

If your landlord allows you to get inside your rental before removing day to clean, take him up on that offer! However, if they aren;t going to allow you to do that, you want to make sure you do a quick clean before you move your furniture in. Hire a cleaning crew if you have the extra money and want to save time or pay a friend with pizza and beer to get in before you and clean while you are loading up the moving truck. If someone has offered to help move, they may rather clean than do the heavy lifting anyway. 

If nobody can get in before you, these few items will be handy for a quick clean up before bringing in your furniture or if anything is spilled or broken. 

1. Paper Towels
2. Broom and vacuum
3. Dish Soap
4. Dust rags and cleaner

And most importantly of all, be sure you have toilet paper. You don’t want to have to run to a convenience store whenever it hits you that you have to go!

4. Snacks and Food For Your Pets

All that heavy lifting will have you working up an appetite. If your refrigerator is already cold, stock up on quick snacks like fruit, protein bars, and bottles of water. You’ll be glad you don’t have to wait for the pizza delivery guy whenever you are hungry right then and there. Save the pizza for the celebration at the end of the day! If your refrigerator is new and still needs to be cooled down, pack a cooler full of your snacks and drinks.

If you have pets, make sure you have their food handy. Pets get antsy whenever they’re hungry and they may find some of your shoes or trash to eat if they aren’t fed. 

5. Clean bedding

Whenever you load up your moving truck, make sure you have your fresh bedding in your essential bag, right up front with you. Once you get your belongings unloaded and things unpacked, you’ll be exhausted and excited to go to bed. Having clean bedding on hand will make you feel comfortable and right at home while you’re lying down to go to sleep.

6. An overnight bag

Whenever you are in a new place, it can feel uncomfortable. The more yourself you feel, the more at home you will feel. Hang up your favorite hsower curtain, take a shower, and climb into your favorite pajamas because you are done unpacking (for the day) and it is time to relax. All of this can be in an overnight bag, just as if you were going to stay at a friends house. Here is a quick and easy checklist for your overnight bag

1. Your coziest pair of pajamas
2. Clean clothes for the next morning that you can unpack in
3. Toothbrush and toothpaste
4. Facewash
5. Shampoo and Conditioner
6. Any medications you may take daily

Now that you have your bag, you’re cozy and in your pajamas, it is time for number 7. The best item on the checklist.

7. Corkscrew or bottle opener

You’ve finished unpacking for the day and you are finally ready to relax. If you followed our directions, you’ve already showered and gotten into your pajamas and hopefully ordered pizza that is being delivered straight to your house. Now it’s time to pull out a bottle opener or corkscrew and celebrate your new home. Treat your friends and family who helped you move to pizza and a drink in your new living room. This small get together will help your space feel like a home.

This essential moving kit will be sure to make your moving day a little less hectic and make you feel a lot more prepared.