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Solid tips to insure a smooth move
When rolling up your sleeves to do some hands-on packing, be sure to review our packing tips before you begin.
* Packing Tip #1: Time is of the essence – begin by packing a fewl boxes each day, several weeks prior to your move. Be sure that the items you pack won't be needed before your move, of course. By pacing yourself, you'll be more organized and the job won't be so overwhelming.
* Packing Tip #2: Pack room-by-room, one area at a time. It's best not to mix items from different rooms in one box. To prevent small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap miniature knickknacks and other small items in brightly-colored tissue paper before placing them in the box.
* Packing Tip #3:, Write a general description of the contents and indicate the room from which it came (or which it will go into in your new home) on the top and front of each carton. Use different colored dot stickers for each box; then, at your new house, hang a balloon of a corresponding color outside the room where you want the color-coded boxes to be delivered.
* Packing Tip #4: Regular newspapers are messy and can soil your possessions. Use only unprinted newsprint paper to wrap items.
* Packing Tip #5: Use only clean boxes specially designed for moving. Boxes obtained from grocery or liquor stores are not always clean, and may not withstand the weight of the items that you'll be putting in them. Also, their odd sizes tend to make loading more difficult.
* Packing Tip #6: Unpack fragile items and breakables over some packing material or over the box you're taking them out of in case you happen to drop the item as you unpack it.
* Packing Tip #7: Hazardous materials cannot be included in your shipment. Some common household items that cannot be packed include flammables such as paint, varnish and thinners, gasoline, kerosene and oil, bottled gas, aerosol cans, nail polish and remover, ammunition and explosives, corrosives, and cleaning fluids and detergents
* Packing Tip #8: Personally transport irreplaceable photos, financial papers and assets (bank checks, insurance policies, stock certificates, etc.), legal documents (wills, passports. etc.), valuables, jewelry, coin and stamp collections, etc.), and medical and family history records
Packing for your Move
Often times people who are moving are so happy to finally arrive in their new home that they don't even mind that the dinner plates are chipped, there's a scratch on the coffee table or their favorite lampshade is bruised and battered. But there's no reason your household goods should become casualties of the move. With a little care and planning, and these moving packing tips, you and your stuff will both arrive in mint condition.
When for your move, a little common sense goes a long way. Think of a stack of dishes in a box on the bed of a bouncing truck. No matter how well the sides are padded, a firm up-and-down jolt could crack the entire stack. On the other hand, dishes packed on edge and surrounded by bubble wrap have a better chance of surviving the trip unharmed.
It pays to purchase the right packing materials in the long run. Sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts can be purchased at moving companies and truck-rental firms. Supplement with copious amounts of crumpled paper, blankets and pillows; even clothing can serve as a buffer between breakable objects. Then, pack with a plan.
Packing Tips
* Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with a description of its contents and its destination (e.g., kitchen, bathroom). Be as specific as you can; it will make unpacking that much easier.
* Keep the weight of your boxes reasonable. If possible, put heavy items in small boxes to make them easier to carry.
* Don't apply tape directly to polished or painted wood finishes. Removing the tape could ruin the surface.
* Double-box fragile items and add plenty of cushioning.
Pack essentials seperately
When everything is packed and ready to load, make sure the items you need least are loaded first. Again, common sense is essential when loading the truck. Place the box containing your best china on top of the box of encyclopedias and not vice versa.
Prepare for the first night in your new home by packing essential items in a separate bag and carrying it with you. You may even want to prepare a simple meal that you can heat and serve on your first night.
* For each person in the household: a change of clothes, a towel, prescription drugs, a toothbrush, and other personal items.
* For everyone: plastic utensils, paper plates, paper towels, plastic cups, toilet paper, toiletries, trash bags, a flashlight, first aid kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, snacks, beverages, and re-closable plastic bags.
* Small tool kit for re-assembling items that couldn't be moved whole.
Packing for moving with good technique and the right materials can mean an easier move and fewer chipped dishes.
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