The 5 Most Commonly Lost Items During a Move (And How to Keep Them Safe)

That sinking feeling when you desperately need something on moving day, only to find it’s vanished into a sea of boxes. Moving chaos is the perfect breeding ground for lost items. After helping countless Brisbane families relocate, we've seen the same things go missing time and again. Here’s our list of the top 5 escape artists and exactly how to keep them tethered to you.

1. The Tech Bag Black Hole: Chargers & Cables 🔌

The Problem: Phones, laptops, routers, tablets—every device has a cable, and they all seem to scatter to the winds when the boxes come out. A dead phone on moving day is a modern-day nightmare.
The SwiftMove Solution: Designate one small, zippered bag or a single clearly labelled box as your "Tech Command Centre." As you pack, every charger, cable, power board, and adapter goes directly into it. Tape a bright, colourful piece of paper to it so it’s instantly recognizable. This box travels with you, not in the moving truck.

2. The Critical Documents: Passports, Contracts & Papers 📄

The Problem: Your rental agreement, passport, birth certificates, and insurance papers are small, flat, and easily mistaken for packing material or tucked into the wrong folder.
The SwiftMove Solution: Use a hard-shell, zippered accordion folder for all crucial documents. Weeks before the move, start collecting them into this folder. On moving day, this is your "VIP Case." It does not get packed. It stays with you, in your car, or on your person at all times. It's the first thing you place in a secure drawer in your new home.

3. The Key Conundrum: Old, New, and Everything In Between 🗝️

The Problem: You have keys for your old place, your new place, the garage, the mailbox, and your padlocks. It's a recipe for confusion and frantic searching.
The SwiftMove Solution: Create a "Moving Key Ring." Take all essential keys for both properties and put them on one single, large, and easily identifiable keyring (a bright coloured lanyard works perfectly). Label each key with washi tape and a permanent marker (e.g., "NEW FRONT DOOR," "OLD GARAGE"). Take a picture of the keyring and save it to your phone for backup.

4. The Bathroom Dispersion: Daily Essentials 🧼

The Problem: Hairbrushes, toothbrushes, medications, makeup, and razors are often packed last minute in a hurry and get buried in a random box labelled "Bathroom."
The SwiftMove Solution: Pack a "First-Night Essentials Kit" for every member of the family, just like you're going on a holiday. A small toiletry bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, medication, deodorant, and any other daily must-haves. These kits stay with you, ensuring you can freshen up without unpacking a single box.

5. The "I Need Coffee!" Crisis: Kitchen Basics ☕🍴

The Problem: Nothing is worse than finishing a long day of moving, craving a cup of tea or a simple snack, and realizing every mug, plate, and spoon is sealed inside a box.
The SwiftMove Solution: This is the most important box you'll pack. Create a "First-Day Survival Box." Clearly label it and keep it separate. It should include:

• A couple of mugs, plates, and sets of cutlery

• A kettle, coffee, tea, and sugar

• Paper towels, dish soap, and a sponge

• Toilet paper and hand soap

• Scissors and a box cutter (for opening all the other boxes!)

• Snacks and bottled water

Tell your movers about this box first thing so they can place it in an accessible spot.

How SwiftMove Brings Order to the Chaos

At SwiftMove, we know it's the little things that cause the most stress. That’s why our service is built to protect your peace of mind, not just your furniture.

• We Ask the Right Questions: Our team leads always ask: "Do you have an essentials box? Where would you like us to place it?"

• Clear Labelling: We help you plan a labelling system so boxes end up in the right room, every time.

• Careful Handling: We treat your belongings with the respect they deserve, ensuring nothing is lost or damaged due to haste.

We don’t just move your things; we move your life carefully and calmly.

👉 Ready for a Calm, Organized, and Loss-Free Move?

Let's build a moving plan that keeps your essentials safe and your stress levels low.

📞 Call the SwiftMove team today: 0494 083 737