How can you make your summertime move easier? You already know to stock up on water. But what else do you need to stay cool, comfortable, and healthy? Take a look at the not-so-obvious items to make your warm-weather move a breeze.

High SPF Sunscreen

Most of your move prep was spent indoors. You decluttered, organized, packed, and labeled everything from your kids’ toys to your old college textbooks. Now that move day is here, bring everything outside — and into the sunlight.

Even though the movers will take care of the heavy lifting and transportation, you may need to stay outside during the bulk of this process. Whether you feel more comfortable organizing your boxes, bins, and bags outdoors or you want to supervise the day’s activities, you’ll need a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. Choose a water-resistant product. While you won’t need a swim-proof sunscreen, you do need something that’s sweat-proof. The hot summer sun combined with almost any move-day activity can leave you sweaty. Sweat can reduce the effectiveness of a non-water-resistant sunscreen.

Room Fans

Your soon-to-be old home likely has central AC or window units. Even though the interior typically stays cool in the summer, your air conditioner may not work as effectively on move day. The movers need easy access to your house to quickly carry bulky items outside. This means it’s likely they’ll prop a door open.

When your home’s door stays open, the cooled interior air can escape and hot exterior air can enter. This makes the AC an almost-unnecessary part of the day. If you don’t want sky-high move-out electricity bills, turn the air conditioner off or down for the day. Instead of the AC, use room fans. Fans can circulate the indoor air, vent hot air out, or draw cooler outdoor air in. Set up room fans near open windows or in unvented spaces.

Portable Fans

While larger electric room fans can cool the interior, you may also need extra help to stay sweat-free during your move-day activities. Carry a portable battery-operated fan to quickly cool yourself off inside or outside. Leave a few of these devices out for the rest of your family, helpers, and the professional movers to use. Along with the fans, stock plenty of extra batteries for added power.

Extra Clothes

You’ve packed your wardrobe into boxes and bins. What happens when you sweat through your move-day clothes?

The just-right clothing choice is the first step to staying comfortable and dry on your moving day. Avoid jeans, long-sleeved tops, and other heavy items. Light, cotton, breathable clothes can keep you cool. Select items that don’t bind or constrict your movement. These picks can make it difficult to pick up and carry containers or boxes.

Even though lighter clothing is the best option for moving activities in the summer, you may still sweat through your outfit. Leave a few extra items out or pack them in an overnight bag. Add in a small laundry or plastic bag to hold and transport your drenched outfit.

Towels and Toiletries

After the movers load the truck, they’ll need time to transport everything to your new home. This may give you a few minutes to hop into the shower and cool down. You’ll need towels, soap, shampoo, and other toiletry items to make the most of this break. You can also soak a towel in cold water to cool off during your move.

Do you need help with your move? Contact Island Movers Inc. for more information.