Packing Tips
Before Packing
Now’s the time to get your packing supplies. Like moving boxes, tapes and bubble wrap. Now’s the time to purge, throw out and toss anything you really don’t want – and to sort through, separate and organize everything you want to keep and store. Now’s the time to pack the stuff you won’t need until after you move. And for now, time is on your side. So use it wisely.
During Packing
Now, we’re getting somewhere. Now, we’re into the double-walled construction boxes, the stacks of newsprint and the rolls of packing tape. We’re fitting furniture with covers, pouring Styrofoam peanuts and using the bubble wrap that we know you can’t help but pop. We’re taking things apart, putting like items together and labeling everything. Yup. Now, we’re moving.
Quick Tips to Packing
• Put smaller boxes in larger boxes to make less trips.
• Remove wheels from everything with wheels.
• Disassemble anything you can.
• Tape nuts and bolts to the piece of furniture they go with.
• Label every box with its contents and its room.
• Mark boxes with breakables as “fragile.”
• Put Styrofoam peanuts in boxes before you put in your breakables.
• Spread the weight of heavy items over several boxes.
• Mark boxes with their weight to avoid injury.
• Make sure boxes are completely sealed.
• Use bubble wrap and newspaper to wrap fragile items.
• Disconnect appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers.
• Defrost freezers so they are clear of ice on the day of the move.
• Pack a separate “emergency” box with things you’ll need on the day before the move.
After Packing
Now, it’s time to relax. Take a deep breath, look around and make sure everything is in its place ready to be moved to another place. Now, you can kick back, put your feet up and wait for the movers. Unless you’re the mover. Then now is the time to get some sleep. You have a long day ahead of you.