Almost one in four Americans moved in 2020 (or know someone who did) due to the effects of the pandemic. Job losses, college closings, and soaring housing prices made a move unavoidable for many families.

Halfway through 2021, the trend continues. Whether you’re facing an unexpected relocation or you simply ran out of time, you might be frantically wondering how to pack a messy house to move.

How long does it take to pack a house? What are some packing tips to make the process easier? Keep reading to find out!

1. Start as Soon as Possible

Ideally, you have many weeks or even months to plan your move. In reality, though, you may have to pack up and move out in just a few days.

Whatever you do, don’t delay the process. Messy homes take much longer to pack than tidy ones, so you’ll need plenty of time to sort through your belongings. Get the packing materials you need, put on some music that inspires you, and get to work!

2. Be Ruthless With Your Possessions

Messy homes are generally full of things you don’t need. Is there any reason to hang onto those skis you haven’t used in a decade? What about those old college textbooks collecting dust in the attic?

There’s no need to pack any of the following items:

• Broken or worn-out items
• Clothes or shoes you never wear
• Sporting equipment you never use
• Books or magazines you’ve already read
• Duplicate items you’ve already replaced

Don’t let sentiment dictate here. Get rid of the clutter so your next home can be tidier and less messy than your current one.

3. Organize Your Things Into Piles

Before you start throwing everything into boxes, you need to separate your belongings into groups. Create a list or a physical pile of items you’ll:

• Keep
• Sell
• Gift/Donate
• Recycle
• Trash

Of course, there are plenty of worthwhile items you’ll take to your next home. For everything else, decide whether to sell it, donate it, or recycle it. For any clutter that truly is trash, sign up for a Discount Dumpster Rental to dispose of it properly.

4. Designate a Packing Area

You’ll waste a lot of time and energy running from room to room as you try to pack. Make things easier on yourself by designating one room of the house as your packing area.

This is where you’ll store your:

• Boxes
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap
• Markers

Go through your home room by room and closet by closet. Bring all items into your designated packing area and get them ready for the move. This will make the process go much faster, especially if you’re crunched for time!

How to Pack a Messy House to Move: Now You Know

Ideally, your home is already organized before you attempt to pack up and move house. In reality, though, you might be scrambling to learn how to pack a messy house to move.

If that’s the case, use the packing and moving tips listed above to ensure a smooth transition to your new home.

Now that you know how to pack up a house, what’s next? Our site is full of tips and advice for home sellers and buyers, so stay right here and continue browsing!