With all of the excitement of moving out, it is easy to forget that there are some things that must be taken care of prior to being fully done in your current home. Really, packing and loading all of your belongings is only the beginning, you still have so many things left to do in the home you are leaving. Whether you are trying to get back a deposit as a renter, or just trying to be a good human being, you should do one last deep clean of your house. Below, we’ll go through all of the different items you should be sure to clean, before you say goodbye to this home forever.

Kitchen

• Refrigerator
  Take any remaining food out of it and put it in an ice chest, and then unplug your refrigerator and move it outdoors if possible. Once you get it outside, you should open the doors and let it fully defrost for a few hours. When your fridge is completely defrosted, you will want to remove all of the shelves and bins for cleaning. The reason you will want to wait to clean everything until your refrigerator and freezer are no longer cool is because if it is cold at all, that creates moisture when cleaning and then mold can grow. The inside of your fridge is not all that you will want to clean. This is a great time to vacuum the space where the fridge goes and the coils underneath the fridge that are responsible for filtering out heat.
• Oven & Stove
  For the oven, you will want to take out the racks and scrub them with a Brillo pad, and then make sure that any excess drippage at the bottom of your oven is completely scrubbed clean. The stove top should be scrubbed clean, and you should check that the overhead light works and that the hood and exhaust are clean as well. Don’t make someone else deal with a greasy hood.
• Dishwasher
  For your dishwasher, you will want to remove the racks to get to the drain at the bottom and make sure that there is not any lingering debris. You will also want to scrub away any soap scum from the interior, and then put a cup of white vinegar in the top rack and then run your dishwasher on the hottest setting to sanitize the inside.
• General Cleaning
  • Clean cabinets inside and out
  • Wipe down all counter and appliance surfaces
  • Wash out the sink

Bathroom

• Toilet
  You will want to scrub your toilet, not just on the inside, but also the outside. Debris and dust tend to build up on the groves of a toilet, so you will want to make sure to thoroughly clean the outside.
• Shower, Bathtub, Sink If any of your drains seem to be slow and sluggish, you can bet that there is a clog somewhere, and the main offender will be hair. You will want to get a flexible plastic snake from the hardware store, stick it down your drain and then pull it up to remove any hair that has been lodged. Once you have removed the bulk of hair, you should pour a liquid plumbing agent down the drain to help dislodge and clean out the rest of the debris following the instructions on the label. Once everything is cleared out, then you should scrub the sink basin and shower or bath, as well as the faucets and handles.
• General Cleaning
  • If you have grout, you will want to clean it with a toothbrush to get maximum results, as it is porous and can be a bit tricky to clean
  • Clean drawers inside and out, and if the contact paper is unsightly, it would be a good idea to replace it
  • Wipe down the mirror

Bedrooms & Living room

• Wipe down walls, ceiling fans, and any built-in furniture
• Clear any cobwebs that may be lingering in corners, both low and high
• Wash all windows inside and out
• Clean window blinds
• Vacuum and mop all of the floors in the house
• Keep in mind that this should be the last thing you do so as to avoid spreading any dirty with your shoes
• If there are stains on the carpet, use a cleaning agent PRIOR to vacuuming and scrub them out as best you can
• Make sure all light switches and outlets are clean
• Dust all window ledges
• Give the baseboards a good scrub, you would be shocked about how much dust accumulates on those small surfaces
• Wipe down door knobs throughout the home

Exterior

• Clear away all cobwebs
• Make sure the yard is clean and lawn is mowed
• Cut and pull weeds
• Hose down porch or balcony
• Sweep the garage and leave it empty
• Remove any lingering nails or tacks from the walls
• Clean exterior lights and make sure they work
• Take pictures of everything completely clean

The best reason to opt for cleaning your home rather than hiring a cleaning service is that it will save you money. Money that can be used to hire a local professional moving company, because let’s be honest – cleaning is way easier than lifting appliances, dressers, beds and boxes of books!

It’s that time of year again!  You are just about to take your final examinations, or you have just finished them, and you have a choice to make – move back to your parents house for the summer, or find a house or apartment to rent off campus with some friends.  Regardless of which option you choose, Tucson moving services can help you pack up, load, unload and unpack your life again! If you are planning on moving to a shared house or apartment off campus, below are some steps to help guide you through the process of moving out of the dorms.

1. Read the rules and regulations that you signed upon moving into the dorms.  Make sure that you leave the space in the same condition that you found it, if not better, to avoid being charged extra for any additional cleaning fees.
2. Know the date you must be completely moved out of the dorms, and also the rules regarding loading vehicles.  If you need to get a permit for limited time access to parking closer to your dorm room, be sure to have it arranged well in advance, as many people will be competing for better times during the day.  If you can get an earlier move out time, it is well worth it, as you will not want to be moving during the peak heat hours under the Tucson sun!
3. If you are moving out of the dorms and directly into an apartment or house with friends you met in the dorms, it is absolutely worth hiring a local Tucson moving service.  You will split the cost of either hiring a moving company in Tucson to do a full service move, which would mean the company would pack up, load, transport, unload, and then finally unpack your items into your new home.  You could also hire a moving company in Tucson to go to your family’s homes and pick up any furniture or other living items you may need, and bring them to your new home. You also have the option to do self-serve moving, where you hire a truck and driver, so that you can get everything into one vehicle rather than just trying to pack as many of your belongings as possible in to vehicles.  Another benefit to splitting the cost of hiring a moving company is that often times, you will receive a group rate. It is finally your summer, after all – the last thing you will want to do after the stressing about finals is to stress about moving!
4. Change your address information with your school or any other bills so that you do not fall behind on any payments or miss any important announcements.
5. Find out the hot spots in your new neighborhood as far as restaurants that delivery, student specials, perhaps a park with weekend activities.
6. Set a budget.  Figure out your income for each month, as well as home expenses such a cable, heat, water or waste bills, as well as your best guess as to how much you will spend on food, gas, or any emergency money you may need in case your car breaks down or your bike gets stolen.  This is also a good time to sit down with your roommates and discuss household expectations and responsibilities.
7. Contact your utility company and cable company prior to your move in date so that you will have water, power and internet from the moment you open the door.  The last thing you want to do is sit excitedly in your new home and not be able to take a shower and turn on the lights – or, even worse – charge your cell phone!  We kid – but seriously, you will want to have everything ready to go on your move in day.
8. Do not move into your new home with old junk that you do not need anymore.  All of those books you paid for last year? Well, you are officially done with the class, so you most certainly do not need to keep those books.  Find out if there is a way for you to sell your textbooks to someone who will actually need them. However, do not expect to get full price for old textbooks – price them to sell and be done with them.  Textbooks are heavy and it will be one less thing you have to pack with you for your move into a new home. If you left the bulk of your belongings at your parents’ home when you moved into the dorms, this would be a good time to clear out stuff at their house as well.  Old clothes, stuffed animals, those ticket stubs you collected from dates you attended with your high school boyfriend or girlfriend? Throw them out! Unless you have an affinity for scrapbooking every stage of your life, there is no need to hold onto some things.
9. Celebrate!  Throw a housewarming party and welcome your friends to your new home and enjoy the rest of your summer while you can!

Congratulations!  You have graduated high school, and are now headed off to college all on your own.  Whether you are heading to the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, or if you are headed from Tucson to any other college in the nation, you will be faced with the prospect of moving your life into a new space.  College freshmen tend to have a lot of questions when it comes to moving out of their parents house and into a dorm room for the first time – what should you take, and often, more importantly, what can you take?

The first thing you want to determine will be what is the move in date provided by your new school.  Often times, schools will designate different move in dates and times and then give out passes to allow you to pull your vehicle in closer to the dorm hall for an hour.  Generally, when you are sent your acceptance letter, they will also include information for your move in date, and it is very important that you read all of the rules that they lay out for move in day.  Along with information about move in day, you should receive information about your new roommate. It is always a good idea to reach out to your roommate, not just to get to know them better, but also so that you two can avoid doubling up on items such as televisions or mini fridges.

Dorm rooms are notoriously small, so if you get a chance to go on a tour of your school and dorm rooms you should take note to how little space you will actually have available.  Something you can do to maximize your space is to ask your Resident Assistant to loft your bed (lift it higher) so that you have more storage available below the bed itself. You will also need to find out if mattresses are provided or if you will need to purchase a new one.  You will also want to take note of the set up of your dorm hall – what floor are you on? How many staircases do you have to climb? Is there an elevator, and if so, is it in working condition? Something else to inquire about is if there will be anyone available to help you unload your vehicle and bring boxes up.  Some universities have their athletic teams offer to help move incoming freshmen as a fundraiser. Keep in mind when packing that because the rooms are small, it would be rude and ineffective to bring a bunch of boxes and then expect to keep them stacked up for even just a few days. Be courteous to your new roommate and unpack as quickly as possible.

This should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway – you have limited space, so no, do not plan on bringing every single thing that you own.  When deciding what to take to college, it is a time to really declutter and reevaluate what is a necessity. Try to bring clothing that can be used in several different ways, limit the amount of shoes and this is certainly not the time to be bringing along your entire book or dvd collection.  You will have minimal space, and you would be shocked at how little you need to live day by day happily.

You will want to be well versed on the items that will be prohibited in your dorm room.  Things like irons, candles, space heaters, live plants or flowers are all on the no-go list.  Something else that people may not know is that you are not allowed to hang shelves or posters using nails, so if you have posters or pictures that you were planning to hang up, be sure that you bring scotch tape.

Speaking of scotch tape, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty, the actual moving itself.  If you have access to a hand truck dolly, it would be worth using it to stack boxes and roll them in.  Using a hand truck will greatly speed up the process of moving everything from your vehicle to your dorm room.  Also, rather than just bringing things up one box at a time which is time consuming and requires heavy lifting, you will be able to bring three or four boxes at a time.  If you have a few friends that are also going to the same college, it may be worth hiring a local Tucson mover. Movers will be able to load everything into one truck and then unload it into your dorm rooms, leaving you free to meet all of your new dorm neighbors.  Hiring a moving company in Tucson whether you live locally, which would be within a 50 mile radius, or you are coming from New York, is wise because they will know the area and will not be charging you for the extra distance and fuel costs of getting lost on their way to your dorm.  You could also hire movers in Tucson to simply drive a truck that you plan on loading and unloading yourself. Either way, it is helpful not to have to load multiple vehicles because you will only get one pass for the loading zone.

On your moving day, make sure that you eat and stay hydrated throughout the day.   It would also be wise to use sunblock on your moving day, because it is likely that you will be too distracted to notice if you are starting to get burnt.  Depending on where you are moving, Tucson especially, it can be quite warm in August so you will want to wear loose, comfortable and breathable clothing and have a water bottle on you at all times.  You should also wear comfortable shoes that are not open-toed just in case anything drops.

With a lot of planning and the help of friends and family, you will be moved in to your new dorm room in no time!  Be sure to enjoy every minute of your freshman year, and remember that next year you will be making another move, this time off campus!

1. Make a plan

When you are looking to make a long distance move, many people are so excited about the bigger picture of arriving to their new home, that they don’t bother to nail down all of the small details that are necessary.  Creating a plan may seem like an obvious step, but you would be shocked by how many people tend to want to “wing it.” Having a plan in place creates a fail-safe when you are in the madness of packing your life and just don’t know what to do next.  Important things to note are the moving departure date and expected arrival date.

2. Downsize

People tend to put off the more tedious tasks in life, such as going through all of the years of junk they have accumulated, anything from clothing, tools, or crafting supplies.  When you are about to move, it is a great time to create a pile for things you will be donating, and things you will be throwing away. Do you really want to move even one extra box if it is not necessary?

3. Create and Inventory

While you’re going through all of your possessions, you should be creating an inventory list that you can go through when you are unpacking in your new home.  This is a way of knowing exactly what you’re bringing with you, and it will also be something that you can share with the company you choose for your long distance move to or from Tucson.  Creating an inventory is also an excellent way to ensure what exactly you are bringing so that there is no confusion if you happened to have donated some items when you were in the process of downsizing.

4. Moving Insurance

One of the things that people often overlook is purchasing moving insurance.  Moving insurance is especially important on a long distance move, and while the chance that  you will need to use it are not high, it is a protection in place for the unthinkable. It is worth calling your insurance company to see if they offer moving insurance, but even if they do not, you can usually purchase it through your moving company.

5. Research moving companies

Whether you are making a long distance move TO Tucson or a long distance move FROM Tucson, hiring a reputable company within Tucson is a must!  Tucson is a very unique place, with weather that can be deemed extreme to people who are not familiar with the area. A lot of people want to opt for the cheapest moving service available, but that is not always wise.  Your first call to a company can tell you a lot about how they run their business. Were they kind, courteous, respectful and helpful on that first interaction? If they weren’t able to take your call, did they call you back within a reasonable amount of time and answer all of your questions?  Did they have questions for you about how much and what kind of furniture you are planning to have moved? It is worth spending a little extra money to ensure that your move is as stress-free as possible and to have trust in a local company that knows how to move into and out of Tucson as seamlessly as possible.

6. Measure!

Could there be anything worse than making a long distance move only to arrive at your new home and realize that your furniture will not fit?  It is so important to measure your furniture and to know the dimensions of your new home! Some other helpful information to pass along to your moving company is if there are any tricky staircases, perhaps spiral, that they will have to contend with.  Also, for larger pieces of furniture, it is worth noting if the larger pieces can be disassembled into smaller pieces for an easier move.

7. Label your moving boxes by room

When you arrive at your new home, you will want to have your boxes labeled by room so that the movers can bring your boxes into the appropriate rooms, thereby alleviating you the task of having to move a bunch of boxes around or simply not knowing where items may be found.  Using colored packing tape can often be helpful when moving as a quick way to sort boxes.

8. Move during the offseason

While it may not always be possible, if you have the ability to move during the offseason, which tends to be during the winter months, not only will there likely be more availability, but often times, moving companies will have some sort of discount promotion available.  Moving during the offseason is also a great way to avoid moving during extreme weather conditions.

9. Be aware of any moving restrictions

It is important to know the area that you are moving to.  A way to make a long distance move a little smoother is to know if your new home has adequate space for a moving truck to pull up close, or say if there is no elevator and the movers will have to carry your furniture up several staircases.  Knowing these seemingly small details will let your moving company prepare. If you are making a long distance move to Tucson, the benefit of hiring a local company is that they will be familiar with the area and be able to help guide you through your planning process and advise you when necessary.

10. “Open First” Box

There will be times when moving that you may arrive ahead of the moving truck.  It is important that you make an “Open First” box with all of your essentials. I recommend having a suitcase with enough clothes to get you through a week, but then in your “Open First” box you should have things like toiletries, some silverware, cups and plates, as well as blankets or bedding, perhaps even a blow up mattress.  While you may not necessarily need these items if you plan on arriving the same day as the truck, it is always nice to know that you will not have to open five boxes just to find a cup.

Local Movers in Tucson know summertime as “peak moving” season. From the beginning of Spring to the end of September more than 65% of home relocations occur, making the summer season the mover’s equivalent of Black Friday. This means getting ahead of the crowd to snag your ideal local Tucson moving date is critical, especially when moving those pianos!

Here are a few tips for a successful move this summer.

1. Plan Ahead and Stay Organized

They say that the early bird catches the worm, and that’s true with booking movers in Tucson, Arizona (AZ) during peak season. There are plenty of Tucson Moving Companies around which makes it challenging to find Local Tucson Movers on short notice to move that heavy piano. If you want to beat the crowd, make sure you plan out your Tucson move as far ahead as possible; you’ll end up with a greater variety of date and time options.

Make a moving timeline and checklist to help keep organized. If you plan far enough ahead, you’ll have the bonus of packing at your leisure before your Local Tucson Movers arrive.

2. Book Your Local Tucson Moving Service Early

This point goes with planning ahead, but make sure to book your move as soon as possible. Holidays and weekends are the most sought after local Tucson moving dates, so make sure to get your reservation in early if your move date falls on one of these. Tucson Moving companies work on a first come first serve basis so calling early is key.

Keep in mind that road traffic is at its worst on holidays, so it might be beneficial to avoid these in-demand times just to avoid the headache of traffic jams.

3. Leave Room for Flexibility

No matter how much work you put into your preparations, something can still go wrong. The best-made plans often go off course, so try and work some wiggle room into your plans to increase your flexibility.  Make sure to plan with extra time to get the piano out of the house!

Make sure to have a plan B in place, on the off chance that something goes wrong with the Local Tucson Move.

Professional Moving in Tucson, Arizona – Available this Summer

As you prepare for your local Tucson move, you can count on Zooz Moving, Tucson’s trusted packing and moving service. Zooz prides themselves on their careful handling of clients belongings; from small objects like a toaster, to larger objects like a Grand Piano. To book your next move, or to receive a free estimate on our packing and moving services, call Zooz today: 520-447-0900.

Schools across the country are closing their doors for a much-needed holiday break.  The kids are home causing chaos (if only they played the classical piano!), and you need to get things settled.

What does this mean for you? Do you need to hire Local Tucson Movers? Which Tucson Moving Company is right for me? Is there a Tucson moving company that is reasonably priced around?

Whether you live in a dorm or an apartment, there’s a good chance that you’ll be (temporarily) moving back home.
Here are some tips to get you started on moving out once finals are, well, final from professional movers in Tucson, Arizona.

Declutter your Place

Where should you begin? Here’s an opportunity to clear out some of the clutter that you’ve accumulated over the semester.

Most companies, though especially Tucson Moving Companies, say to pack a box of nonessentials. Fill it with things that you have been neglecting: summer clothes and other stuff that you haven’t used this semester.
If you’re traveling a long distance, it’s a smart idea to ship them ahead of you, instead of taking them along for the ride. Doing so will leave you with extra space for winter and spring clothes. You’ll be able to start the new year and semester right: with extra room and no clutter.

Pack the Essentials

Local Tucson movers agree, to pack everything you’re going to need over the 3 to 4-week break. You don’t need to bring everything with you. You can leave a large part of your wardrobe at home (unless your entire wardrobe consists of six t-shirts and a pair of jeans).

When packing, consider the weather. Local Tucson movers and Tucson moving company works won’t need a winter jacket! Remember, states like Iowa or Maine won’t be as warm as Tucson, Arizona! Make sure that you’re aware of the holiday plans. Are you going to a nice restaurant? Will you need to bring something formal? Find out ahead of time so that you, or your hired local Tucson movers, can pack accordingly.

If you’re going back to your parents’ house, you likely left some things behind. Take this into account while packing for your move back to Tucson, Arizona. If this is the case, you probably won’t need to pack as many pajamas.

Prep Your Dorm or Apartment

If you’re going to be relaxing over the break, you don’t want to worry about how you left your dorm. Turn off all lights and unplug all your electronics.
Some schools cut power to the dorms to save on costs, so empty that fridge of perishables. Dispose of all trash and empty your bins.

Once your dorm is ready, you can relax with the knowledge that there won’t be any surprises when you return.

Heading Home for the Holidays? Relax and Let Zooz Do the Work

Heading home for the holidays? If you’re, like many college students, preparing to make the trek home for the holiday season, leave the hassle of packing and moving to the professionals at Zooz Moving.

For years, our team of professional and local Tucson movers have helped local and long distance college students get to where they need to be. From home, to campus and back again, trust the Zooz Moving team to get the job done right.

As you prepare for your local Tucson move, you can count on Zooz Moving, Tucson’s trusted packing and moving service. Zooz prides themselves on their careful handling of clients belongings; from small objects like a toaster, to larger objects like a Grand Piano. To book your next move, or to receive a free estimate on our packing and moving services, call Zooz today: 520-447-0900.