Packing up advice?

[RacinReaver]

One of my friends had to move from North Carolina to Detroit for a summer internship, and was getting up there via a Mustang. Needless to say, space was at a pretty huge premium. She said those Space Bag things they sell on TV was a life saver. I've seen them at Costco a few times, so I figure they can't be that bad of a product (and if they do suck, you can return them any time for a full refund there), and, think, if you just save throwing out 3-4 shirts, you've probably paid for the $30 bags already.

My biggest strategy when moving home was to start early. I'd usually visit my parents during spring break, and I'd bring home all the winter clothes I wouldn't be needing anymore. That meant no big sweatshirts, fluffy coats, or heavy boots that had to be stuffed into the car.

Edit: Also, use towels, sheets, and other things which can be washed as space fillers. Possibly the most annoying thing to happen on a long car ride is to have something rattling in the back of your car and having no clue what it is. The towels/bags filled with socks and underwear will fit to just about any shape, filling up any gaps, and you can use them to stop any and all rattling from happening.

[hikids]

At some schools venders show up with boxes for sale and tape plus other services. Also, some schools for have more complete services (Penn has one enterprise called Box My Dorm. They pack and store the stuff for the summer. So you may want to check what's available if you are willing to pay someone for help. Sorry, I don't know the cost.

[kristin5792]

Mom just took home most of my stuff today. I went with the trash bag theory and it worked just fine. I put all my clothes in trash bags (kept the clean ones folded, kept the hanging ones on hangers). I also sorted all my dirty clothes and put them in my hampers. I left my shoes in the big bin that I store them in. I put all the random stuff from the top of my closet in another trash bag. I have a trunk that doubles as a table (GREAT IDEA) so I put all my school stuff/desk stuff in there.

Here's what I have left: a refrigerator, a small set of drawers, a small set of shelves, school stuff, toiletries, bedding, makeup, a jacket, 2 pairs of shoes, and one load of laundry.

I think all I'll need is a duffel bag, trash bag, and back pack + my 3 big items, which hopefully will fit into my Accord.

MY SUGGESTIONS: Start as early as possible. Work at off times. Ask the desk if you can borrow a cart or dolly. If you can't tie a trash bag shut, twist up the top and wrap duct tape around it. Label bags (silver sharpie works on black bags). Realize that to get by for a week (that is likely finals week so you'll be studying), you really don't need more than clothes and books and some money for food.

[wis75]

We used the white trash bags. He piled his clean clothes in his laundry hamper, had an under the bed plastic box. Computer tower went on the floor behind the driver's seat, stuffed microwave oven cavity. Paper grocery bags are good for books and other hard goods. It is helpful to be able to pack soft/cloth goods around everything else. Hopefully son will have packed before we get there next week, last year I ended up throwing things in bags and boxes so we could get going (I also cleaned a large spill from the m oven tray and returned a bunch of library books for him).

[dragonmom]

I wish we could be there to help ours, but that's not an option due to the distance. Fortunately the school is kind and lets kids stay after finals to pack up. SHe just has to finish 4 more finals, find a ride to WalMart, buy containters, pack, get permission to use the dorm storage room, find a place/friend to store her bike, pack for the summer and find a ride to the airport. Two days should be plenty, right?

[Karen Colleges]

dragonmom- no problem!

[mom60]

My son is home. He packed in ziplock large bags plus some large rubbermaid tubs. They fit everything in the car.
It is all now on the floor of his room and my laundry room. I have given him one more morning to sleep and have told him I want my laundry room back. I would bet every single piece of clothing is dirty. His pillowcase was gross. His mattress egg crate smelled so bad that I tossed it in the trash. I have no clue the last time he did laundry. He did bring home an almost full bottle of detergent.
I do give him credit that his art supplies seem to have been packed with care and are organized. He also brought home some great drawings.
I had wondered why he didn't find a new girlfriend at college. I now know why.

[franglish]

I agree that this is great advice. Here's a bit more. Last year, when we brought our D up to school for the first time, a friend told us about this product: RoofBag.com - Car Top Carrier - Soft Car Top Carrier - Quality roof luggage cargo carriers by RoofBag
It is a set of three very large duffel bags that look like sausages and that all slide into a weather-proof heavy duty plastic (not at all rigid, though) zippered case. It goes on top of the car with good straps (included) and you don't need a roof rack. When it's empty it all folds up into a small size. We have a very small plastic bag that it stores in. When it all arrived at our house in the mail, my husband thought most of it was missing, because it really packs very efficiently. It is absolutely wonderful and we will be able to keep the winter stuff and "school only" stuff in the "sausages" for the summer. Check it out!

[curiouser]

franglish: thanks for the great link...looks like a terrific product at a really good price.

We have a soft top carrier that has been invaluable in moving our 2 back and forth. However, it doesn't work as well for non-roof-rack cars or those without "ridges" for the straps to hook into. The soft tops hold all the squishy stuff (bedding, clothes, towels, etc) beautifully. We may buy D one of her own to take on her grad school adventure--ours did not work on her 2 door Honda Civic, and it looks like the Roof Bag would.

Also, I second the idea of taking clothes on hangars. We acquired this tactic after the 1st couple of moves. Now we buy really cheap plastic garment bags (less than $5 for 3-4) and move clothes on hangars inside these bags. It saves an ENORMOUS amount of time, on each end of the trip.

[justhismom]

Mom60 I think our S's could be related. Fortunately we were able to start a little early in bringing things home. We went up earlier this week and he gave us 3 bags full of clean and dirty clothes (all mixed together). Somethings he said he found under his bed.
This morning we picked him and the remaining items from his dorm up. The stoage bins that were under his bed were never dusted, the TV also was covered in dust. The remaining clothes were all together and are now sitting on my laundry room floor.
My suggestion is to use those large Ziploc bags or the reliable large green garbage bags.
The move went real smooth as he did all his packing prior to our arrival. Whatever is not in the laundry room is now sitting all over his bedroom floor. Yes they are home for the summer, but I am thrilled (for now).

[thumper1]

I second the under the bed storage boxes...but I would suggest the ones with wheels. These do not fit well in the trunks to most cars, but do very well in the back of a minivan or SUV. We moved DS in and out several times using garbage bags for the "soft stuff" (think clothes, towels, rugs, etc) and a bunch of laundry baskets. He had two of the under the bed storage boxes. If you are moving a fridge, have the kid fill it with his (clean) underwear. DS also had a couple of those milk crate type containers and that is where the books went. We have a minivan...took three seats out (we can do that in ours), and were good to go.

Agreed...take something to dust. We used a container of Lysol Wipes...and then just threw them in the trash. Don't wear "fancy clothes". They will just get dirty.

Justhismom...at least your son's stuff is in his room. For three summers, our son's stuff was in the living room...it was LOVELY.

[mafool]

Instead buying garment bags, DS just made a hole in the bottom of a large garbage bag and slipped it over a bunch of clothes on hangers.

Son took care of all the "packing." We showed up with the car on afternoon 1 and took son and roommate to lunch. Son observed that it would be better if he and roommate loaded their stuff that was going to be stored into the car and then took it to the storage place. So they dropped us off at the hotel and proceeded. Son then packed all his stuff and and loaded the car for the trip home the next morning. His dad and I did nothing! (Except drive 1-1/2 days each way )


I'm just realizing that this may not be all that common and that I should be grateful!

[curiouser]

mafool,
Good idea about turning the gar-BAGE bags into gar-MENTbags!