Packing and moving go together hand in
hand! In fact, it is half of moving when you consider you are reducing
all of your household possessions into boxes and moving them to another
place. Here are some suggestions to help you in the process.
1) PLAN AHEAD
You will need to plan the packing process. Take an inventory of what
you'll be moving, and identify those items that you'll need until moving
day. Begin by packing less essential items- extra linens, out-of-season
clothing and your good china, for example- well in advance of your moving
date.
2) APPLIANCES
Wrap small appliances in newspaper or your kitchen towels or linens. Tape
the bottom of a medium box securely and put down a layer newspaper for
padding. You can pack several small appliances to a box. For large
appliances, make sure you check your owner's manual for any special
instructions before you start to pack. Make sure the inside and outside of
all appliances are clean. You can stuff the inside of some appliances,
such as washing machines and dryers, with towels or linens. Tape down any
parts that could come loose -- the burners on your stove, the electrical
cords, etc. Wrap the appliance with furniture pads and tie securely.
3) BOOKS
Use only small boxes for books -- they get very heavy, very fast.
You can use small paperbacks to fill the sides of the box if there is
extra space.
4) CLOTHING
This is where wardrobe boxes come in handy. You can move clothing on
hangers straight from your closet to the wardrobe boxes. Clothing in
drawers should be packed in suitcases or boxes.
5) COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
Ideally, you should pack electronic equipment such as stereos, TVs and
computers in their original boxes with their original packing material. If
this is unavailable, wrap the equipment in plastic bags. Put each piece of
equipment in a box filled with Styrofoam peanuts, and put this box in a
larger box, also filled with Styrofoam peanuts. (This double-boxing will
help prevent sharp objects from penetrating all the way through to your
fragile equipment.)
6) FURNITURE
If you can take your furniture apart in any way to make it easier to move,
make sure you put all nuts, bolts and screws in a small zip-lock bag and
tape the bag to the furniture. Tape drawers shut where necessary. Wrap
exposed legs (on tables and chairs) in bubble wrap or newspaper. Wrap in
furniture padding and tie securely.
7) KITCHENWARE
Wrap breakable items in bubble wrap or unprinted newspaper. Put layers
of bubble wrap between each plates or bowl. Fill the top bowl with
crumpled newspaper or Styrofoam peanuts. Place the items in a box filled
with crumpled newspaper or Styrofoam peanuts. Make sure you put the
heavier items on the bottom of the box. Wrap non-breakable items in
unprinted newspaper and pack in a box filled with Styrofoam peanuts or crumpled newspaper. Make sure you pack all the items
you'll need for your first few days in you new home in one box, and label
it prominently. You can only eat take-out for so long.
8) KNICKKNACKS AND COLLECTIBLES
Wrap each piece in bubble wrap. Pad the bottom of a large box with
crumpled newspaper or Styrofoam peanuts. Give the items plenty of space,
and make sure you add lots of packing material on the sides, between items
and on top. Remember to label the box "fragile."
9) MIRRORS AND FRAMED ART
Tape an X of masking tape across mirrors and paintings framed with glass.
Wrap each item in bubble wrap. Cut a box to fit each item exactly. Make
sure you label everything fragile.
10) DO NOT PACK
Paints, turpentine, pressurized cans,
corrosive items like bleach or any flammable liquid. The law prohibits
movers from carrying flammable items. Properly dispose of items which
could cause fire or damage.
