Beat the heat with these ten ice-cold tips
Staying cool during a summer move means drinking plenty of water, applying sunscreen every few hours, and taking frequent breaks to rest and rehydrate.
Your summer move goes smoother when you plan around the weather forecast, schedule work during cooler morning hours, and avoid peak heat between noon and 3 p.m.
You protect heat-sensitive items by packing perishables, candles, electronics, and indoor plants separately, then moving them inside first to prevent damage or spoilage during your move.
Hiring a local moving company reduces your time in the heat and provides strong hands to complete the heavy lifting faster, so you stay cooler throughout your move.
Fun fact: Did you know moving furniture can burn between 300 and 450 calories per hour? Moving is a strenuous task that requires physical effort, making it difficult, but not impossible, to do during peak summer heat.
Planning ahead and taking safety precautions will help you get all your belongings to their new home without overdoing it in triple-digit temperatures. Here are ten tips to help you stay cool during your summer move.
The body needs water to function, and studies show you can lose three to four liters of water per hour doing a strenuous activity (i.e. moving) in hot weather. For health and safety reasons, it’s important to continuously replenish your fluids when moving boxes and furniture in the summer heat. Bring either a cooler of water bottles or a refillable water bottle and take frequent sips throughout the day.
If you tend to sweat a lot, taking a natural electrolyte supplement or drinking a sports beverage every few hours is also a good idea. The body loses these key minerals through sweat and can’t fully function without them.
It’s best to avoid midday heat by packing your moving truck and unloading it as early in the day as possible. Generally speaking, the coolest part of the day is when or shortly after the sun rises. Heat peaks between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. are the hours to avoid when moving.
If you’re driving the moving vehicle to your destination, plan to get on the road while it’s still dark out. That way, you can reach your new home and unload items in the car that are susceptible to heat before the summer heat hits its peak.
If you have some flexibility—maybe you’re moving during the holidays or have a long weekend—plan to complete the most work on the coldest days. Check the weekly weather forecast to see if any hot spells are coming through or which days may be the worst to work on. Plan around them, so you can make your moving date work smarter, not harder.
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to sunburns—or worse if you’re out in the heat all day. Pack plenty of sunscreen and apply new layers every few hours, especially if you're sweating and spending a lot of time outside. If you tend to forget to reapply, set a reminder on your phone to put a new coat on every two to three hours.
In lieu of shade or air conditioning, a portable (or handheld) fan can provide some cool air when you start to overheat. You can buy one for around $30 at home goods or hardware stores. Wireless models are also available for easy maneuvering during the unpacking process.
Another idea is to pack a cooler full of cold or damp towels with a few ice packs, which can also be a refreshing way to cool off when moving heavy items in summer heat.
As the adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. The last thing you want when it’s hot out is to be stuck somewhere for the night with no air conditioning in a hot, humid room—especially with all your belongings.
Research hotels or places to stay along your trip, and line up rest stops that make sense for your travel schedule. It may cost a little more, but it’ll be worth it for your health.
If you’re planning to make several trips to and from your new home—primarily in an across-town move—make an early stop over to turn on the AC system.
You may not need it at 6 a.m. when the temperature is still cool outside, but you (and your movers) will be thankful for the blast of cool air when you’re moving boxes and furniture inside.
Some items—like perishable pantry items, candles, certain electronics, and indoor plants—don't move well in the heat. To avoid damaging these items during a high-temperature move, make a special effort to pack them accordingly and move them inside first.
Initiate a plan for these items by separating them or shipping them in temperature-controlled bins is a better alternative than risking potential damage or spoilage. A delay or error in your planning could result in your sensitive items being outdoors longer than anticipated.
Moving days can be long and tiring, especially on a sweltering hot day. That’s why it’s important to give yourself time to rest and let your heart rate return to normal.
To avoid overheating, take short, frequent breaks to drink water, rest, and reapply sunscreen. Working in chunks with breaks built in is more productive for many people than powering through when you’re exhausted. You can work longer hours over the course of the day without getting tired.
You can reduce the number of hours you’ll spend moving by getting assistance from a few strong hands on deck. “Cool yourself off”—at least indirectly—by asking friends or family to help. Or hire a local moving company to help you move your belongings and achieve a faster move that avoids the warmest part of the day. The less you personally have to do, the cooler you’ll stay when moving boxes in summer heat.
My furniture was delivered today, and the whole move went smoothly. The final cost matched the original quote with no extra charges. The movers were friendly, professional, and handled everything with care. Even after the long distance, everything arrived in perfect condition. I’m very happy...
Moving of AmericaShowed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageI could not have moved without the help of Jen Stover! I was in my house for nearly 20 years, so the thought of clearing it out while working full time was overwhelming. Jen takes great joy in sorting and organizing while asking the hard questions with patience and compassion. Jen is...
Go and Stow Home OrganizingExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageJust moved from PA to Columbus in a studio apartment and needed help with some heavy furnitures because I couldn't do it alone. I called Hyremovers and they did a great and timely job and also left my apartment walls intact. Great service!
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