10 Quick Tips for Moving in the Summer Heat

With 70% of all residential moves taking place between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, “peak moving season” is upon us. Unfortunately, these sweltering summer months, while popular, are a tough time to move. You may not be able to beat the heat completely but you can make moving day more bearable and less stressful.

Here are 10  tips for moving in the summer sun.

 1. Try to get started early

Looking to beat the heat? When dealing with a summer move, it’s always best to aim for an early-morning move. The sun and UV rays are strongest from the hours of 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Overall, early mornings mean a cooler (possibly 10-degree difference or more) move. Most residential moving companies will prefer to get started in the morning anyway. But if not, Follow the tips below to be as best prepared as possible.

2. Wear the right clothing.

Make sure you’re wearing something made of lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable fabric, such as cotton or linen. These materials absorb sweat and moisture, allowing faster evaporation so that you stay dry during the move. Stay away from synthetic fabrics, such as rayon and polyester.

Stick with light-colored clothing when dressing for a move. Whites and neutrals are the keys to staying cool under the hot sun. If you are wearing a mask due to COVID precautions and CDC recommendations opt for a lightweight one and not cloth. Remember the shades, wear sunglasses. Finally, make sure to bring a hat! Protecting your head and face from the strong sun is extremely important.

3. Bring a full day’s supply of bottled water. Refrain from using cups or sharing.

Staying hydrated during the summer months is important. It’s especially important if you’re moving during these months. After all, when lifting boxes and coordinating a move, you’re going to be sweating a lot. If you’re not replenishing your body with enough H2O, you could experience some seriously undesirable symptoms of dehydration.

Keep in mind, if you’re an athlete, you’ll likely need more water than the average person to stay hydrated. So make sure to bring a cooler of bottled water for yourself and the movers. Do not use cups or share water. A “one bottle – one person” policy keeps everyone safe.

4. Turn on utilities before the move.

Don’t forget the utilities! If you’re moving during the hot summer months, make cranking the AC a top priority.

By cooling down your house ahead of time, you’ll be able to better focus on the tasks ahead, instead of on that stifling heat.

5. Apply sunscreen

Before you get moving, douse yourself in sunscreen A sport-type sunscreen is best, the kind that won’t burn or irritate your eyes if you break a sweat.

Whether it’s the spray form or the lotion, make sure you’ve completely covered your face, neck, ears, shoulders, arms, hands, feet, and legs. Make sure to reapply every couple of hours to remain protected.

6. Remember, not everything travels well in the heat.

When packing up your belongings, be aware that not everything can handle sitting in a hot moving truck for hours. Some of your items (anything that has the potential to melt) simply won’t fare well in that kind of summer heat.

So, make sure to pack these belongings (i.e. electronics, candles) separately and get them inside the air-conditioned house as soon as possible. And don’t forget about taking special precautions with pets and plants!

7. Bring portable fans.

If you’re not 100% sure if the air conditioning will be up and running on moving day, make sure to bring a few portable fans with you. These fans can cost as low as $10 and can be found at most big box stores.

Regardless of whether or you have air conditioning or not, it may be a good idea to have at least one of these fans set up in high heat zones, like the garage or sunroom. Creating airflow and adequate ventilation is important and safe.

8. Make a plan.

Now, more than ever, having a detailed plan is an essential part of any move. At Central Maine Moving & storage we’ll create a personal Moving Plan (PMP) tailored to the specific needs of your move. This includes creating traffic flow patterns and crew break schedules ahead of time in order to adhere to social distancing and CDC guidelines for your safety and ours.

9. Be patient and keep “cool.”

Moving can be stressful and It’s easy to get ‘worked up” on a hot day if things don’t go exactly as planned. Social distancing and adhering to safety precautions while also dealing with sweltering heat can be irritating, to say the least.

Take a moment to step back, take a breather, and calmly discuss your concerns with the moving company’s team leader. A well-trained, professional moving crew knows how to make the necessary adjustments and keep things moving in the right direction.

10. Be aware, symptoms of overheating can come on fast.

Finally – exposure to high temperatures can be dangerous. If the weather is hot and humid, it’s important to be aware of any signs of overheating and heat-related illnesses. These symptoms can include elevated body temperature, headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness, fainting, muscle cramps, seizures, and general confusion.

If you or anyone with you on moving day exhibits any of these symptoms, get yourself or them out of the heat and into the shade or air conditioning as soon as possible. Experts advise those affected by the heat to drink plenty of water, lie down (so that you don’t pass out), and take a cool shower or dab yourself with cold towels.

We’re happy to help!

Click here to get your free personalized moving quote! Call us at 207.947.4114. 


Central Maine Moving & Storage takes the health of our professional staff and our valued customers very seriously. By working together and adhering to our best practices and the guidelines set by the CDC we can greatly reduce our risks amid COVID-19 and continue to serve our customers on a case by case basis.

Safe, professional, and affordable moving & storage by a locally owned company.

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