The Moving Essentials Bag: What to Pack
Dec 06, 2022
An essentials bag is one of the most important things to keep on hand during a house move. Whether you are travelling nearby or long-distance (80 km), having a bag with everything you need for the journey is convenient and practical.
For a short move, you can use a small bag to keep personal items, whereas you will need a larger bag for a long move. Since an essentials bag is kept in your personal vehicle, make sure your hired
professional removalists Brisbane don’t load it on the moving truck accidentally. Also, encourage every household member to have an essentials bag to make their journey smooth.
What should your essentials bag contain? Read on to know important things to keep and tips for packing a moving essentials bag like a pro.
What to pack in a personal essentials bag?
Depending on what you have on hand, this moving essential can be a backpack, duffle bag, small trolley, organiser kit, weekend bag or any other travel bag of suitable size. Once you select a carrier, here’s what you should have.
- Wallet & keys
- Identify proofs & other personal documents
- Change of clothes
- Hand and bath towels
- Medication for headaches, vomiting, acidity, muscle aches & common ailments.
- Phone charger and earphones
- Laptop & charger
- A binder with important addresses, contact numbers, checklists etc.
- Toilet paper & basic toiletries
- Glasses, goggles and masks
- Make-up or other grooming items
What to pack in a household essentials bag?
Besides encouraging every household member to pack a personal essential bag, keep a general carrier containing the following things for everyone.
- Finger foods, sandwiches, packets, drinks, water & other refreshments.
- First aid kit with band-aids, cotton, antiseptic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, gauge & gauge tape.
- Cleaning supplies like multipurpose cleaners, wipes, hand sanitiser, tissues, paper towels, microfiber cloths, etc.
- Disposable plates, cups, forks, spoons, etc.
- A flashlight, batteries and matchsticks
- A portable toolkit (optional)
- Garbage bags
- Scissors and pocket knife.
Since each household is unique, you can add other essential things to this bag. Keep things you need before leaving the house, during transit, and upon arrival at the new home. The aim is to ensure you and other household members can access these things without hassle.
Thus, ensure this bag is ready & in your personal vehicle when your hired removalists in Brisbane come on the moving day.
What to pack in baby, toddler and pet essentials bags?
If you have a baby, toddler or pet, you will need a separate diaper/carry bag and pet crate to keep their things. Here’s a list of must-haves for them.
- Utensils like bottles, bowls, spoons, plates, etc.
- Toys, blankets, pillows and bedding.
- Diapers, wipes, disposable bags, lotion, nappy rash cream
- Change of clothes
- Formula, pet food, baby food, treats and snacks
- Boiled and normal water
- Teethers and chew toys
If your child or pet has special needs, you must pack this bag accordingly to ensure their journey is stress and hassle-free. Also, visit the pediatrician or vet before the move for a medical checkup, record and medication of your child or pet.
Tips for packing essentials bags
Whether you are packing a moving essentials bag for yourself, a family member or the entire household, keep the following things in mind.
- Choose the right-sized bags according to items and space in your car.
- Only keep things you really need during the move and upon arrival at the new home.
- It is best if everyone packs their own moving essentials bag. This way, there will be no confusion or misplacement of things.
- Pack things you will need at least two-three days after reaching the new home or before unpacking your household.
- If you are packing food and drinks, seal them in air-tight containers or plastic bags to prevent leaks.
- Make sure the bags are easy to open, and you can add essentials to them at the last minute.
- Label the bags as essentials or not to load to ensure the removalists know not to put them on the moving truck.
- If possible, keep brand-new things in the bag instead of used ones. For example, get new hand sanitiser, wipes, clothes, first aid kit, batteries, food packets etc., for stocking the essentials bag.
- If you or anyone else in your family takes prescription medicines, get the prescription before moving and keep it safely along with the medicines in a personal essentials bag.
The Bottom Line
The prime reason for packing a moving essentials bag is convenience because you can access important things without opening moving boxes. Thus, if you
plan to move short distance or far away, you and your household members must pack a bag. Your hired removalists in Brisbane will not load them on the moving truck; you must take them in a personal vehicle.