A young woman is standing in front of the bathroom mirror and brushing her teeth.

Suppose you have an upcoming move, and the dining room, bedroom, and kitchen are packed and ready to go. But what about the bathroom? This often-overlooked room requires its own special packing strategies. Before the big day arrives, take a look at what you need to know about successfully moving your bathroom.

Sort First

Chances are you won’t need to move every item in your bathroom. Some of the non-permanent fixtures, accents, and personal use items are belongings you can buy after you get to your new home. When you sort bathroom belongings consider:

  • The condition of the item. Old toothbrushes, empty deodorant containers, and other similar items don’t need to move with you. These picks aren’t in perfect condition and are easy to buy after the move.
  • How often you use the item. Some bathroom items get plenty of use daily. These may need to come with you—depending on the condition.
  • The cost. Pricey hair styling tools, expensive accent pieces, and other similar items can go with you. The price of these items may outweigh the ease of buying new (when you arrive at your new location).

Create piles or make lists of the items you sort. After you decide what to throw away and what to bring with you, the time has come to start the packing process.

Pack with Thought

You may need some of the bathroom essentials immediately after your move. If you pack these items deep into boxes or have to sort through bins to find a toothbrush, hairbrush, or other similar product, you’ll waste time and energy. Instead, when you pack consider:

  • When you’ll need to use the item. How soon will you need to use the item? Again, some personal hygiene products are immediate use picks. Store these in a travel bag, purse, or your car—and not in the moving truck.
  • Whether the item is fragile or not. Carefully pack breakable bathroom items (such as decorative accents) in bubble wrap and cushioned boxes/bins.
  • The size of the item. Larger items, such as a toilet paper stand or shelving unit, won’t require boxes and bins. Wrap these bathroom belongings in a moving quilt, towels, or a similar protective cover before the movers arrive.
  • What items should move with each other. How should you fill your boxes and bins? Create an organizational system that makes sense to you.

The way you separate items should enable you to find them after you move. This includes more than just how you box, bin, and wrap these belongings. Label everything clearly with the category or room. If the items are fragile, add a warning to the outside of the box. The movers won’t know that your bathroom décor bin is packed with glass breakables.

Avoid a Mess

As you pack take steps to avoid messes. Some personal hygiene/beauty products can leak and shower or sink items can grow mold. To avoid a messy moving situation:

  • Pack in plastic. Place items that may leak (shampoo, conditioner, body wash) in zipper plastic baggies. Seal the tops of the bags to reduce the leakage risk.
  • Dry everything first. A wet shower caddy or damp toothbrush holder can grow mold. This can result in moldy, musty boxes when you get to your new home.
  • Wash everything first. If the item is dirty or set and dirty, wash it first. Scrub a shower caddy, toothbrush holder, soap dispenser, or other similar bathroom accent before you move.

Do you have concerns about your hygiene products leaking into your moving boxes and bins? Pack these items in small boxes and take them with you. This reduce the likelihood of leaks and can save the rest of your belongings from a major mess.

Do you need help moving? Contact Island Movers for more information.