9 Tips for Moving in the Rain

Moving on its own is difficult and stressful enough. Finding places to put your stuff securely and in containers or boxes that are easy to carry is no small feat, and the entire process can become physically exhausting in no time. However, if you throw a variable into the mix such as rain, it can make it extremely difficult to move your stuff without getting it soaked. Clothes, bed linens, and the like can get wet, but the issue becomes if you can get it out and dry it quickly enough before it begins to smell or even worse, grow mold. And it goes without saying that your furniture and electronics cannot afford to get wet during transport. So how do you mitigate the issues rain can present on your moving day?

Check out the tips below for ways to ensure your moving day isn't a total washout.

1. Postpone if possible: This is perhaps the best thing you can do if it is indeed possible. However, we all know the luxury of changing your moving date isn’t always available to you.

2. Keep your container or moving vehicle close: The closer you can keep your container or vehicle close the better. This will allow you to move your items quickly and efficiently while also keeping them out of the rain as much as possible.

3. Keep a lot of towels handy: This will be important for not only drying off your stuff but also for keeping you dry as well. You don't want to be dealing with a cold right after moving into your new home! Also, consider using towels on the floor in both your old and new home if it is raining to keep carpets and flooring as clean as possible. Don't add to your already long list of to-dos if possible with cleaning the floors.

4. Have a lot of cheap garbage or plastic bags handy: These bags will serve two purposes, carrying items and keeping them dry. Use them to cover shirts that are on hangers by making a hole in the bottom of the bag and placing it over the shirts. These kinds of bags will be invaluable during your move, so have plenty handy!

5. Wait for lulls in the rain: Mark down or keep aside items that absolutely cannot get wet and try and wait for a break in the rain to move them. If that isn't possible or the rain simply will not let up, try to have someone cover you or wrap the item in plastic bags, towels, or bubble wrap to keep your things dry.

6. Ditch the cardboard for plastic: If you are planning to move soon, consider getting some plastic bins to carry your stuff. Plastic bins are easier to move and can protect your items if you run into a rainy day while moving. They also stack well and can carry a lot of items without breaking. Cardboard boxes can be unwieldy and require a lot of taping up before moving, and if they get wet, it can be like entrusting a wet noodle to carry all of your stuff securely.

7. Dry as fast as you can: Try to dry as you go. This will help avoid items such as clothes, furniture, boxes, etc., from collecting and absorbing water which can cause all sorts of problems.

8. Create an old-fashioned assembly line: This will help in a couple of ways. First, assign your moving helpers to do certain tasks, such as drying off rain from items, or having certain people stay in your old or new house to give or take boxes and other items. This will avoid the issue of getting wet shoes all over the floor. Second, by creating an efficient system, you can quickly get everything packed up or packed in despite the weather when everyone has a single task to focus on.

9. Use temporary shelter: If you have a popup tent or similar temporary accommodation handy, use it! You can set the tent up by your container or moving vehicle, outside the door of your home, or anywhere in between to escape the rain and move your stuff.

Moving in the rain can be a big challenge, but by following the tips above, much of those troubles can be mitigated. If you think you might need some help with your next local or long-distance move, 1-800-PACK-RAT can help find professional labor services in your local area you can trust to pack your stuff safely and securely.