Clearing Out Your Reading Uni Room: Essential Packing and Cleaning Tips

As the academic year winds down and summer approaches, it’s time to tackle the daunting task of clearing out your university room. Whether you’re graduating from Reading university, moving to a new flat, or just heading home for the summer, packing up your belongings and ensuring your space is spick and span is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you efficiently pack and clean, ensuring a smooth transition into your summer plans.

Packing Tips for a Stress-Free Move

1. Start Early
   • Begin the packing process at least a couple of weeks in advance. This will give you ample time to sort through your belongings, decide what to keep, donate, or discard, and avoid last-minute panic.
2. Declutter Ruthlessly
   • Go through all your items and be honest with yourself about what you really need. If you haven’t used something all year, consider if it’s worth keeping. Donate usable items to charity shops or friends, and sell any unwanted items on second hand sites like Vinted, Depop, eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
3. Organise Your Belongings
   • Categorise your items into different groups such as clothes, books, kitchenware, and electronics. This will make packing and unpacking much more manageable.
4. Pack Smartly
   • Use sturdy boxes for heavier items and ensure they are well-labelled. Magenta Self Storage offers a range of packing materials and storage boxes for sale, which are perfect for keeping your items secure and organised.
5. Protect Fragile Items
   • Wrap delicate items like glassware and electronics in bubble wrap or soft clothing to prevent breakage. Fill any gaps in boxes with packing paper, bubble wrap or towels to avoid movement during transport.
6. Create an Essentials Box
   • Pack a box with items you’ll need immediately after moving, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen supplies, and important documents. This will save you from rummaging through all your boxes to find necessities. If there are items you don’t need until the next academic year, then leave them packed away over summer, and keep all items you will need for the holidays in separate, easy to access boxes.

Cleaning Your Flat: Leave it Spotless

When moving out of your uni flat, it’s important to leave it in a clean condition to ensure you receive your deposit back. Even if you aren’t moving out, it is smart to deep clean your living space before going away for a longer period of time to avoid build up of dust, mould and the hassle of coming back to a messy place.

1. Gather Cleaning Supplies
   • Stock up on cleaning essentials like multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, sponges, cloths, a vacuum cleaner, and trash bags.
2. Start with the Big Stuff
   • Remove all your belongings and take out the trash. This gives you a clear space to work with and makes the cleaning process much easier.
3. Tackle One Room at a Time
   • Focus on one area before moving on to the next. This systematic approach helps ensure that nothing gets overlooked.
4. Deep Clean Key Areas
   • Pay special attention to high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Scrub the sink, counters, and bathroom fixtures thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean appliances like the microwave and refrigerator, and clear out any unwanted food – if they have a long shelf life, these items can be donated to various food banks across Reading, such as ReadiFood and New Beginnings Reading.
5. Don’t Neglect the Details
   • Wipe down all surfaces, including window sills, baseboards, and light switches. Vacuum or mop the floors, and clean any marks off the walls. Don’t forget to dust any ceiling corners where dust and cobwebs may have formed.
6. Final Touches
   • After a thorough clean, do a final walkthrough to ensure you haven’t missed anything. Check cupboards, closets, and under furniture for any forgotten items.

Storage Solutions with Magenta Self Storage

If the thought of lugging all your stuff back home for the summer feels overwhelming, consider a convenient and cost-effective alternative: self-storage. Magenta Self Storage Reading offers flexible long-term and short-term storage contracts to meet your needs, whether you’re gone for just a few months or the entire year.

• Flexible Contracts: Tailor your storage rental period to match your schedule, with options ranging from a few weeks to several months.
• Secure Facilities: Rest easy knowing your belongings are safe in our secure, 24/7 CCTV monitored storage units.
• Convenient Locations: Magenta Self Storage is located in central Reading, making it the ideal location for students needing to access their belongings.
• Packaging Materials Available: We offer a variety of packing materials, including boxes, tape, and protective wrapping, ensuring your items are stored safely and securely. Visit our box shop to get everything you need to make your move easier.

Conclusion

Packing up your university room and cleaning your flat doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. With a bit of planning and organisation, you can efficiently tackle these tasks and enjoy a smooth transition into summer. Visit your nearest facility or get in touch with one of our team to learn more about how we can make your move easier. Happy packing and have a great summer!