Back To Moving Tips

1. Start with out-of-season items. Next pack those things used infrequently. Leave until last the things you’ll need until moving day.
   
   
2. Empty drawers of breakables, spillables and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
   
   
3. Pack similar articles together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast iron frying pans, for example.
   
   
4. Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
   
   
5. Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they will not dangle.
   
   
6. Wrap items individually in clean paper: use tissue paper, paper toweling or even facial tissues for fine china, crystal and delicate articles. Colored wrapping draws attention to very small things. Use a double layer of newspaper for a good outer wrapping.
   
   
7. Place a two or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of the carton to serve as a cushion.
   
   
8. As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add additional crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer or use sheets of cardboard cut from cartons as dividers. Towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the article the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.
   
   
9. Build up in layers, with heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest ones on top.
   
   
10. Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped articles separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place the small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
    
    
11. Avoid overloading the carton but strive for a firm pack which will prevent articles from shifting; the cover should close easily without forcing but should not bend inward.
    
    
12. Seal cartons tightly with tape.
    
    
13. As you finish with each carton, list it and an inventory of its contents in a special notebook. You may want to number and code the cartons as well.
    
    
14. Label cartons clearly by marking each carton on the upper right-hand top, side and end corners. When marked in this way, determining the contents of any carton in a stack is easier. Indicate YOUR NAME and the room to which the carton should be delivered at destination, e.g.: “Kitchen”, “Family Room,” “Master Bedroom.” Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels, so the movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly…Put a special mark on those cartons you want to unpack first upon arrival.

Back To Moving Tips