| You've chosen a new home, selected a mover, | | | | pad the bottom of the box with several sheets |
| and now comes the task of packing for the | | | | of paper. Place the heaviest items on the |
| move. There are 3 important things you should | | | | bottom of the box and the more delicate |
| remember that will save you a lot of time and | | | | things on top. |
| frustration later: | | | | |
| | | | When you pack flatware like plates, saucers, |
| - Collect all the materials (boxes, tape, | | | | etc., wrap each item separately and then |
| paper) you'llneed to pack. | | | | combine in groups of three. Rewrap that group |
| | | | in more paper and seal with the plastic tape. |
| - Don't put packing off until the last | | | | Each group will then be better protected. |
| minute. | | | | Stand them on end in the box. |
| | | | |
| - Stay organized! | | | | You can nest glasses and cups 3 or 4 together |
| | | | and separate with small sheets of paper. It's |
| Here's a list of the materials you'll need to | | | | best to pack them in divided containers if |
| pack efficiently: | | | | you have them. If the box isn't full to the |
| | | | top, stuff with additional paper. If you |
| - Paper for wrapping your items: | | | | don't have divided containers, you can place |
| | | | them in other boxes where you have empty |
| Many people collect old newspapers and use | | | | space; just be sure to fit them in toward the |
| them. Just remember that the news ink never | | | | top of the box so they aren't crushed. |
| dries and will come off on your belongings. | | | | |
| If you want to avoid the need to wash | | | | Don't nest Goblets and stemware, wrap them |
| everything when you arrive, you can purchase | | | | individually. |
| packing paper from your mover. | | | | |
| | | | Try to keep small kitchen appliances like the |
| - Boxes: | | | | toaster, crock pot, etc., all together rather |
| | | | than mixing them with other items. Wrap them |
| You can collect boxes from your local | | | | individually with 2 or 3 sheets of paper and |
| supermarket and other businesses. Select | | | | wad up paper to fill any empty space. |
| strong boxes in good condition and make sure | | | | However, if you have a lot of extra room you |
| they have covers. Divided boxes like liquor | | | | can add some pots and pans. |
| boxes are great for glasses and stemware. | | | | |
| | | | You can nest pots, pans and large bowls in |
| Your mover can also provide you with boxes | | | | groups of 3 with a couple sheets of paper |
| especially made for moving. However, these | | | | between each of them. |
| boxes are expensive and you may want to | | | | |
| purchase only those which are usually | | | | When you pack boxed foods such as cereal and |
| necessary like wardrobes for hanging clothes, | | | | rice, be sure to seal the tops with plastic |
| mattress cartons, and cartons for large | | | | tape. (Remember to do this for salt and |
| pictures, mirrors and table lamps. | | | | pepper shakers also!) If your things are |
| | | | going be stored for very long, you may want |
| - Sealing Tape - Use plastic tape that's | | | | to discard these items to avoid rodents or |
| 1½-2" wide | | | | insects. |
| | | | |
| - Magic Marker - to mark boxes for contents | | | | You can pack filled canisters as long as they |
| and special instructions like "fragile", | | | | are individually wrapped and the tops are |
| "this side up", etc. | | | | sealed with plastic tape. |
| | | | |
| Now that you have all your materials, you're | | | | Finally, here are some miscellaneous tips to |
| ready to start packing! Start as far ahead of | | | | remember: |
| time as you can. Waiting until the last | | | | |
| minute will create a nightmare you don't want | | | | - Don't pack anything that's flammable, |
| to experience! If you begin early you can | | | | combustive or explosive. This includes items |
| pack a few boxes a day and have everything | | | | like aerosol spray cans, gasoline, and paint |
| completed without stressing yourself | | | | thinners. |
| unnecessarily. | | | | |
| | | | - Empty all drawers. |
| It's really important that you keep your | | | | |
| packing organized; it will save a lot of | | | | - Pack heavy items like books and canned |
| confusion later. It's best to pack a room at | | | | goods in smaller boxes. |
| a time so that you can keep everything thing | | | | |
| together that belongs together. | | | | - Pack bulky and lightweight items like toys, |
| | | | blankets, and pillows in large boxes. |
| Start in areas containing articles that | | | | |
| aren't used frequently such as your attic, | | | | - You don't need to wrap toys, books and |
| basement, garage, etc. You can leave an extra | | | | shoes individually. |
| box to hold items that can't be packed early. | | | | |
| | | | - Stand books and records on end. |
| Packing Up the Kitchen | | | | |
| | | | It isn't as hard as it sounds, but it you |
| The hardest room to pack is probably the | | | | don't want to deal with packing, your moving |
| kitchen so let's discuss that in detail. | | | | company will be happy to pack for you ~ of |
| | | | course, that service comes with a very hefty |
| Remember when you're packing fragile items to | | | | price tag! |