Moving in general is not very enjoyable for most people. A new place, new plans, headaches, and other challenges until you settle down and get used to the new place will be a little stressful. On top of that, moving in winter can add up to your challenges. It’s cold, moist air and the unpredictable weather can take a toll on your moving plans in Tacoma, WA. In this post, we put together the top 5 most important tips for a better moving experience through Tacoma’s wintertime, inspired by the Home2Home Moving Company in Tacoma, WA.
1. Monitor the Weather Forecast
Like we mentioned above, the weather is unpredictable here, so make sure to keep an eye on the forecast. In some cases when the temperatures drop too much or there are winds coming up, the movers might not be able to keep your schedule because it’s almost impossible to work in such conditions. So, check the weather at least 10-14 days before your move date. Also, keep in touch with your moving company during this time period of time to see what they say about the weather.
If you plan to move without hiring any movers, just make sure you plan for such situations. Leave a few days of extra time. Don’t plan on moving on the last day of your lease. Have 4-5 days buffering time just in case of delays. And the same applies when you hire movers. You can also talk to them to see what their policy on weather delays is just so you are ready for whatever comes your way.
2. Protect Your Belongings from Moisture
Humidity, rain, and wet ground surfaces pose risks to furniture, electronics, and cardboard boxes. To keep belongings safe:
This is another risk that your professional movers will want to minimize when it comes to cold and snowing weather. They have to protect your stuff from humidity, rain and wet surfaces. This is really bad for the furniture and other things like your electronics, and carboard boxes that you back your thing in. To keep your stuff safe, you could do some of the following things:
- items can absorb moisture and one of the ways to protect them is to back them in plastic bins. This will protect them from water and wet surfaces.
- Your upholstered furniture needs protection too. Use plastic sheets or moving blankets around them.
- Wrap your mattresses up in waterproof covers.
- Keep towels or absorbent mats near entry points to wipe down items before loading them into the truck.
3. Prepare Your Home for Heavy Foot Traffic
If you’ve moved a few times before, you probably know that both of your places will have to be accessed in and out multiple times. In winter when it’s wet outside, your helpers will bring inside both properties mud and rainwater, and you have to prepare your floors for that. This will save you a lot of time and potential damage.
- Lay down waterproof floor runners, tarps, or cardboard along main pathways.
- Set up a drying station near the entrance for shoes, gloves, and boxes.
- Make sure your walkways are cleared of leaves, ice, or debris that might become slippery.
You don’t want to damage your old place or even your new one when you move in and out. These tips will help you minimize this risk.
4. Start Early and Maximize Daylight
Another challenge you will have is the short days of the winter. It’s another thing you should take in consideration. Start your move as early as possible. One problem with short days is that it gets dark early and it’s difficult for your movers to load and unload stuff, and on top of that it gets a lot colder at night when the sun is out.
If you’re hiring local movers, book the earliest time slot available. If you are moving on your own, organize everything the night before to begin as soon as there’s enough light.
5. Keep Essential Winter Supplies Accessible
Avoid packing away items that you may urgently need during a winter move. Assemble a dedicated “winter essentials bin” that stays with you in your vehicle. It should include:
- Gloves, hats, layers, and extra socks
- Ice melt or sand for slippery walkways
- Flashlights and spare batteries
- Basic tools (utility knife, tape, screwdrivers)
- Hot drinks or a thermos to keep energy up
- Towels and microfiber cloths
- First-aid basics
Keep these items within reach so you can respond quickly to weather challenges and keep moving with confidence.
Final Ideas
You can have a great winter moving day if you plan ahead of time and with a little luck for great weather. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get it done if the weather is humid. In this post we discuss a few options on how you can protect your furniture from humidity, and how to protect your house from damage and dirt that comes with bad weather.
Most people hire local movers in winter because they have more experience when it comes to the weather. Also, if it’s humid outside, the loading and unloading part of the job gets really hard and dangerous. Having your movers by your side is a huge help.