10 ways to make moving day less stressful

With about 40 million Americans moving each year, a new guide lays out practical steps to cut chaos before, during and after moving day. The advice focuses on planning, protecting furniture and mattresses, and using the right tools to avoid damage and injuries.

Why it matters: - About 40 million people move every year in the United States. - Nearly half of all moves happen between May and August. - Moving is consistently rated one of the most stressful experiences people face. - Better planning can reduce damage, injuries and last-minute scrambling.

What happened: - A CertiPUR-US guide outlined 10 steps consumers can use to make moving day go more smoothly. - The advice centers on organizing ahead of time and breaking the move into manageable tasks. - The checklist covers planning layouts, labeling boxes, protecting furniture and mattresses, and preparing tools and weather backups.

The details: - Mapping a new home layout on paper helps determine where furniture will fit and where each item should go. - Consumers should measure the new home, including doors, windows, staircases and electrical outlets. - If furniture will not fit, items should be labeled as keep or leave behind. - Future floor plans should be shared with movers so they know where items belong on moving day. - Every box should be labeled with its contents and the room it belongs in. - Color coding can speed unpacking, such as marking dining room boxes red and living room boxes green. - A reliable moving company can reduce the strain of moving heavy furniture and lower the risk of accidents. - If professional movers are not in the budget, consumers should line up enough capable helpers and explain the full scope of the job in advance. - Mattresses and foundations are best protected by fully encasing them in plastic mattress protectors. - Truck rental companies sometimes provide mattress protectors, and consumers can also buy them from Amazon or local moving truck rental stores. - Mattresses should ideally be transported flat. - Heavy boxes or furniture should not be placed on top of mattresses. - If a mattress must ride on its side, large pieces of cardboard can help stabilize it and prevent folding or wobbling. - Mattresses more than eight to 10 years old should probably be replaced instead of moved. - The Better Sleep Council has tips on disposing of old mattresses. - Mattresses older than 15 years likely were not made with CertiPUR-US certified foam. - CertiPUR-US certified foam is made without chemicals of concern and has been analyzed and tested by independent laboratories for content and low volatile organic compound emissions below 0.5 ppm for indoor air quality. - Consumers should photograph expensive or precious furniture before the move in case a moving company damages it. - DIY movers should use furniture blankets or used blankets and tape them securely around furniture. - Stretch wrap can add protection and give movers something to grip. - Cabinets, bed frames and many other pieces should be disassembled before moving day. - Recording a video of the disassembly process can serve as a reassembly guide later. - Nuts, bolts and screws should be kept together in a resealable bag and attached to the larger piece with stretch wrap. - Plastic-and-felt sliders can help protect floors when moving chairs, sofas and tables. - Hardware stores carry sliders that stick to furniture legs. - Movers should have the right equipment, including hand trucks or dollies matched to the weight load. - Appliances and sofas require heavy-duty dollies. - Straps and shoulder dollies can help people lift and haul heavy items without straining their necks and backs. - If a storm is possible, tarps and towels can help protect furniture. - Furniture and mattresses should stay as dry as possible, ideally by moving through a garage or another route that limits exposure before loading. - Consumers should clear a route for movers and look for obstacles before moving day. - If an item will not fit through a doorway, removing the doorstop or the door itself can create more space. - Some sliding doors have a special release that lets one door be removed temporarily to widen the opening. - A small overnight bag with essentials can make the first night easier. - Pillows, sheets and blankets should be set aside and beds should be made as soon as they are unloaded.

Between the lines: - The checklist reflects a simple reality: most moving problems come from poor planning, not the move itself. - The mattress guidance also doubles as an indoor-air-quality pitch for CertiPUR-US certified foam. - The advice is split between low-cost DIY steps and situations where paying for professional help may prevent bigger losses.

What's next: - Consumers planning summer moves can use the checklist before packing starts. - The most time-sensitive steps are measuring the new home, buying protective supplies and booking movers or helpers early. - The final move-in task is to set up sleeping arrangements first so the home is functional on night one.