Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in life, particularly when it involves going to another state.
With boxes to pack, rooms to sort out, and hundreds of decisions to make, there is plenty to organise. So, it’s no surprise that somewhere like your bathroom might get overlooked.
Yet, this space can be one of the trickiest parts of your home to move. Between the bulky items, fragile products, and half-used bottles that usually reside there, many Aussies often struggle to decide what to pack and leave behind.
However, we are here to help!
This guide will walk you through the process in a simple and stress-free way. In it, you’ll learn how to identify the most essential bathroom items to move, what not to pack, and when it makes sense to replace items once you arrive.
It doesn’t matter if you have one bathroom or multiple; deciding what to take to your new property and what to leave can be daunting. Here are some steps that can help you.
Before you do anything else, it's a good idea to start with a thorough clean-out. Bathrooms often hide a surprising amount of clutter, so it would pay to eliminate as much as you can from yours.
Expired medicines, old makeup, and half-empty shampoo bottles can all take up valuable space. So, when planning your move, scour each shelf and check expiry dates. If it’s out of date, just toss it.
Doing this will reduce the number of items you’ll need to pack and the weight in your moving boxes. It will also help a smaller bathroom look bigger in your new home, as there would not be so much stuff on display.
Some bathroom goods, such as towels, bath mats, and unopened toiletries, are easy to pack because they fit neatly into boxes. However, others need extra care. So, it is important to take the time to ensure that fragile bathroom items like mirrors, perfume bottles, and glass jars are wrapped in bubble wrap or soft towels.
In addition, it's worth noting that toiletries and cosmetics often leak if they are not sealed properly. Therefore, it is a good idea to put cling wrap under bottle caps, then screw the lids back on.
Once you have done this, pop them in zip-lock bags to further protect them against spills.
Not everything in your bathroom is worth moving to your new home. Cleaning products are a good example because many of these are bulky, heavy, and inexpensive to replace. Therefore, instead of carrying bottles of bleach or floor cleaner, leave them behind and buy fresh supplies once you’ve arrived.
Aerosols can also be risky because they may explode if exposed to excessive heat during transport. For this reason, it is advisable to use them up before moving day.
While it’s important to decide what to take and what to leave behind, it might be worthwhile thinking about who might be able to help you transport your bathroom belongings and possessions across the country.
Whether you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person or will require a truck to take your things, doing the right thing and researching your options is a great way to get an idea of what your move is going to look like. If you’re moving to Queensland from Victoria, for example, you’ll need to think about interstate transportation. You could opt for an option like interstate removals in Brisbane with Muval to make the process easier and simpler so you can focus on your day-to-day basics.
Have a think about what would work best for you and your situation so the chaos can be controlled in one way or another.
Life can be a bit chaotic when you move home, especially if you haven’t finished unpacking yet. That is why it is a good idea to put together a bag of bathroom essentials that you can easily access in the first week after your move.
This might be things like:
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant and soap
A few towels
Shampoo and conditioner
Toilet paper
First aid basics
Keep this bag with you in the car or as part of your overnight luggage. That way, you won’t be rummaging through boxes to find them when you arrive in your new place.
When you’re packing, rather than just randomly chucking everything into boxes, a savvy thing to do is to group similar items together.
For example, you can place all skincare in one box, haircare in another, and first aid supplies in their own container. Organising your bathroom supplies this way will make the process of unpacking far less stressful.
If you’re sharing a bathroom with family, you may want to even create a separate kit for each person. This will ensure that everyone has quick access to their own toiletries without mixing things up.
Moving is a good excuse to check your stockpile of toiletries and cosmetics. So ask yourself, do you really need to bring that half-used bottle of moisturiser? Or the old lipsticks sitting at the back of the drawer?
It is worth only packing those products you use daily or that are unopened. Anything else can be donated, recycled, or replaced after the move. You’ll be surprised at how much lighter your load feels once you trim it down in this way.
