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 Ten Basic Steps
 Ten basic instructions to keep in mind before packing your belongings.
Step 1 - Set aside items you will need up until the last moment, such as cleaning supplies, children's toys, bedding and pet food.
Step 2 - Set aside and plan how you will transport items that can't easily be packed. These include plants and pets.
 Step 3 - Figure out what supplies you'll need, such as boxes, tape, marking pens and cushioning material like bubble wrap and wrapping paper.Step 4 - Begin by repacking items such as computers and TVs in their original boxes using originial materials, if possible.
 Step 5 - Label boxes on more than one side, including both the box's contents and the room in which it belongs.Step 6 - Pack fragile items carefully. Use plenty of packing peanuts, bubble wrap and crumpled paper around each item. Use cardboard to seperate levels and don't pack box too tight or heavy.
 Step 7 - Pack books, papers, albums and CDS in small boxes; they're heavier than you'd think! Fill them to the top so they can be stacked when moved. Step 8 - Roll up carpets and small floor rugs before tying them securely. Large oriental rugs without pads can be folded. Step 9 - Pack bedding last. Use large boxes and pack tightly. Try using as much of the bedding as you can for padding fragile items. Step 10 - Check the basement, the garage, the attic and outdoors for items you might have overlooked. Use small boxes for heavy items and medium boxes for the rest.
Learn from the experts
Click on the items below to learn know how to prepare and pack your belongings.
Air Conditioner
•If your air conditioner's in use, shut if off the day before so the coils can dry and cool off.
•Remove and clean or replace the filter.
•Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not where the coils are).
•Use the original box, if you have it, or another large appliance box well-padded with wadded up newsprint. (Don't use Styrofoam peanuts, which could get inside the air conditioner and cause problems later.)
•If you don't have a box, leave it for your movers to pad.
Appliances -- Small
What you need:
•Blank newsprint or your own towels and linens
•Medium-sized boxes
Tip: Don't use plastic peanuts or shredded newsprint, which could get into the machines and cause damage.
How to pack:
• Group kitchen appliances, like blenders and toasters, or other small household appliances, like hand- held vacuums and telephones, two or three to a box. ( Make sure they're clean!)
•Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped, then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint (wadded up, not shredded).
•Put the appliances in and pad them well all around with packing material.
•Then put another layer of packing materials on top, seal the box, and mark it "Kitchen Appliances."
Appliances - Clothing
We're talking washers and dryers.
Before you prepare or move any of it, read your users manual for each appliance to make sure there aren't special moving preparations you'll need to make. Also, consider servicing all your appliances a week or two before you move, if you haven't done it in a while.
What you need:
•Tape
•Your towels and linens, clothes, and stuffed animals (that's right, stuffed animals) for washing machines
How to prepare them:
• Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely roll the hose and place it in the dryer basket. •
Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door down. •For your Washer (clothes) do all your wash a couple of days before you're ready to move.
•Drain all the water out of the washer and the water hose. Then dry the interior completely with a towel.
•Tape their doors shut. Use good tape so as not to leave adhesive residue when you take them off. Movers call also use straps to keep them close.
•Tape together the hoses and electrical cables to the back side of the machines.
Your movers will use utility dollies and pads to properly transport them.
Appliances - Kitchen
Dishwashers, stoves and refrigerators.
Before you prepare or move any of it, read your users manual for each appliance to make sure there aren't special moving preparations you'll need to make.
What you need:
•Tape
•Baking soda
How to prepare them:
• Remove all dishes in your dishwasher and tape down the racks and silverware basket. •One day before moving the refreigerator, empty out the contents and defrost. Eat what you can, then give the rest away to neighbors - never transport perishable food.
•Empty the drainage pan and disconnect and drain out your automatic ice maker.
•Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves. take out the metal racks and glass shelves, bubble wrap them and and place on the bottom of the machine or a medium box so they don't fall out during the move.
•Place the baking soda into the washing machine and refrigerator before your move to help absorb odders.
•Tape their doors shut. Use good tape so as not to leave adhesive residue when you take them off. Movers call also use straps to keep them close.
•Tape together the hoses and electrical cables to the back side of the machines.
Your movers will use utility dollies and pads to properly transport them.
Armoires
Armoires are not a good place for lightweight items like pillows, bedding, and hanging clothes.
What you need:
•
Rope How to pack:
•
Remove all the contents from the shelves. Don't try to ship your loose items inside the armoire - they'll be probably damaged. •
If you have drawers, you can keep some items inside if they're very light. Wad up blank newsprint in the empty spaces. •
Close and lock your doors, if possible, or tie the handles together. Artwork and Mirrors
What you need:
•
Tape •
Blank newsprint, cardboard or bubble wrap •
Styrofoam peanuts for sculptures •
Boxes (flat and/or sized to fit) for each piece of artwork How to pack:
•
Wrap them individually in newsprint and then tape cardboard around them. Or wrap them in bubble wrap. •
Put them in flat fitted boxes (mirror cartons). If they still fit loosely, fill in the spaces with lightly wadded blank newsprint. •
Tape the box shut and mark it. Beds
What you need:
•Tape or rope
•
Sheets or mattress covers •
Plastic bag or matress bag, usually supplied by movers on the day of the move. How to pack:
•
Disassemble the bed frames and mark the pieces so you know where they go later. Tie or tape rails together. •
Take all screws, bolts, nuts, etc. put in plastic bag and tape to rails. •
The headboard and footboards will be padded and handled by your mover. •
Leave sheets on mattresses to protect them, or cover them with plastic mattress covers. Books
If you've collected lots of books over time, it's a great time to reevaluate what you really want to keep. Consider selling some at a yard sale or to a secondhand book store. They will only add to the final price of your move and put a strain on you, if you're moving them yourself.
What you need:
•
Tape •
Small boxes How to Pack:
•
Never pack more than 30 pounds of books in a box, your mover will appreciate it. •
Fill in small spaces in each box with smaller paperbacks. Alternate bindings every few books to keep stacks level in each box. •
Tape shut and mark "Books." Bureaus, Dressers, Chest of Drawers
Don't leave bureau drawers completely full for the move - the bureau will be too heavy. Use suitcases to pack some clothing and other non-fragile items from your bureau drawers.
•
Partially empty out drawers and fill spaces with small, fragile items like clocks or picture frames wrapped in loose clothing. •
Don't put tape on the drawers - it could stick to the finish. •
Don't leave or pack breakable or valuable items in the drawers.•
Don't overload the drawers with items. The weight could cause the legs to break when moved. CDs and Albums
What you need:
•
Tape •
Plastic peanuts or blank newsprint •
Small boxes How to pack:
•
Pad the bottom of the box with wadded-up blank newsprint or Styrofoam peanuts. •
Place a stack of CDs or albums in the middle of the box. CDs and albums can weigh a lot, so you'll probably have to divide them into several boxes. •
Fill in tightly all around and on top with peanuts or wadded paper so the CDs and albums won't jiggle. •
Tape and mark "CDs or Albums." Chairs
Generally chairs of all sizes are best left for your movers to wrap and transport.
For overstuff chairs one can cover them with plasic or Leave slipcovers on if they are made of lightly colored fabric. You can also request your movers to SaranWrap or BubbleWrap them at an added cost.
China and Crystal
You'll need:
Tape
Small and medium boxes
Cardboard
Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap
Blank newsprint
Lots of patience
How to pack: Plates and bowls. . .
Layer bubble wrap in between, leaving space at the top of the box to fill in with wadded newsprint.
Place wadded newsprint or peanuts in the bottom of a box and put layers of plates or bowls on top. Then fill in top and sides with peanuts or newsprint.
Seal and mark "Fragile - China." You're done!
Glasses and Teacups . . .
Wrap each glass or teacup in a piece of bubble wrap and tape it.
Put a layer of peanuts or newsprint on the bottom of the box. Place wrapped cups or glasses on top, upright as if you were placing them on the table.
Place a layer of cardboard and another layer of packing material on top and the sides.
Keep layering in wrapped cups and peanuts until you've reached the top. Put a final layer of packing material on top, seal, and mark "Fragile - Crystal/China." That's all!
Tip:Don't use compartmentalized liquor boxes unless the compartments are made of sturdy cardboard and you put a layer of packing material on the bottom first. (Usually the compartments are too flimsy.) Glasses and cups should still be wrapped in bubble wrap.
Clothes
What you need:
•
Wardrobe boxes •
Suitcases •
Large and medium boxes How to pack:
•
Hang clothes from closets in wardrobe boxes. If the boxes still have some space, consider filling them with lightweight items like lamp shades covered in bubble wrap. •
Pack some clothes from bureaus in boxes or suitcases so the bureaus won't be too heavy to move. •
Consider using some clothes as packing material in between breakable items or to fill spaces in other boxes that contain items from bedrooms. •
Mark boxes "Clothing" or with the person's name and what bedroom they're from. Computers
What you need:
•
Tape •
Small pieces of cardboard •
Plastic bags •
Original cartons and foam forms or
two sets of boxes, one larger than the other (for double-boxing components) •
Styrofoam peanuts. How to pack:
•
Back up all the files on your computer. •
Your computer company may recommend that you "park" your hard drive. That means using a special program that makes recording heads in the hard drive pull back from the data area. •
Pack your disks in a separate box, but not with anything magnetic. •
Bundle cables and wires and color code them to their matching holes so it's easy to reconnect in your new home. •
If your computer's completely cooled off, put each component part in a plastic bag to keep dirt out during the move, then inside the foam forms in their original boxes. •
Fit cables and other accessories in the sides of each box and fill with peanuts. •
If you don't have the original boxes, use the double-box method. Fill the smaller of the two boxes with Styrofoam peanuts, put the "bagged" monitor or CPU in the middle, and fill the box the rest of the way. •
If you have a small printer, you can pack it with your CPU. Be sure to remove the printer cartridges. If your printer uses pins to form-feed paper, leave the paper in during the move to keep the pins in place. •
Mark each box "Fragile - Computer." Collectibles
What you need:
•
Tape •
Small and medium boxes •
Bubble wrap •
Styrofoam peanuts or blank newsprint How to pack:
•
Wrap each fragile item separately with bubble wrap and tape. •
Put a layer of peanuts or wadded paper on the bottom and layer in wrapped items with peanuts or wadded paper in between. •
Put a final layer of peanuts or wadded paper on top. •
Seal and mark "Fragile - Collectibles." Note: If your collectibles are really valuable, consider moving them in your car or shipping them separately.
Flammable Items
Call your local recycling pick-up provider, fire station, or the nearest Environmental Protection Agency office to learn how to properly dispose of flammable and hazardous materials before you move, such as paints, solvents, oil, and gas from your grill.
DON'T!!!!! pack or try to move flammable and hazardous materials. It's dangerous and illegal. If you have a small can of turpentine or leftover paint, ask your neighbors if they can use it. Otherwise, dispose of it properly with assistance from your recycling company or the EPA.
Tip:Many towns have an annual "Hazardous Materials Disposal Drop-Off Day" at a recycling center or fire station. If you know you're moving, plan ahead to dispose of materials then.
Kids' Stuff
What you need:
•
Attention to feelings •
Tape •
Blank newsprint •
Medium and large boxes How to pack:
• Pack kids' rooms last if they are still small. The security of their routine until the very end will make the transition go more smoothly. •
Give older children (probably ages 5 and up) advance time to pack their rooms. •
Allow them to select some items to take with them in the car or in their carry-on bag. •
Most kids' toys are somewhat non-breakable and can go in boxes with some wadded newsprint or extra clothes to fill in spaces. •
Breakable toys like models or porcelain dolls can be wrapped in extra clothes and packed in wadded newsprint. •
Make sure you drain water from squirt guns and seal paints and other safe but messy materials in ziplock bags or containers. Pack them together in a box lined with a plastic bag. •
Have your kids seal the boxes and put their favorite stickers and names on each box. Kitchen Items -- Non-Breakable
What you need:
•
Tape •
Medium and large boxes •
Your kitchen towels and linens •
Blank newsprint How to pack:
•
Select out a few pieces of essential cookware - a couple of pots, a frying pan, some cooking spoons, a spatula, and utensils for everyone - for the first day you're in your new home. •
Put blank newsprint (or ripped-open paper bags) between the items. Fill in spaces with wadded newsprint. •
Seal and mark "Kitchen." On the box you need for cooking when you arrive, mark "Kitchen - First Day." Kitchen Items - Breakable
What you need:
•
Tape •
Dish Barrels and medium boxes •
Bubble wrap •
Peanuts or blank newsprint How to pack:
•
Wrap each glass and mug in bubble wrap and tape shut. Put layers of bubble wrap or cardboard in between plates and bowls. •
Fill bottom of box with peanuts or wadded paper. Start with your heavyest items on the bottom such as large plates, serving bowls and glass coffee pots. Wrap them in bubble wrap and tape shut.•
Fill in the wholes with wadded paper and seperate that layer from the next with cardboard or bubble wrap.• The next layer(s) should be mugs and plates. Wrapping the plates several at a time between layers of paper.•
Layer in glasses and mugs with peanuts and paper, or place stacks of small dishes sideway on top.•
If your glasses have stems, place them upright, as if you were putting them on the table. Fill in sides and top with peanuts and wadded paper. •
Make sure you put a layer of peanuts or wadded paper between smaller items. •
Seal and mark "Fragile - Kitchen." Lamps
What you need:
•
Tape •
Medium or large boxes •
Bubble wrap How to pack:
•
Take lightbulbs, harps, and lamp shades off lamp and pack in small box. •
Wrap lamp shades in bubble wrap and stack them in a large box with wadded paper. •
Wrap cord around lamp and wrap lamp in bubble wrap. Place them in large boxes or dish barrels with wadded paper with other fragile items. Use plenty of padding between items and mark FRAGILE.Lawnmowers and Lawn Tools
What you need:
•
Tape •
Storage containers for hazardous materials How to pack:
•
Clean your lawnmower underneath of all grass and debris (use a hose). Clean other lawn tools and equipment. •
Drain gas and oil out of the lawnmower into storage containers. Contact your local recycling company or Environmental Protection Agency office for information on disposing of the gas and oil. •
Tape or tie handles of rakes, shovels, and other garden tools. •
Pack smaller garden/lawn items in a box. •
Drain your garden hose down a hill, roll up, and put in a box. Mirrors, Paintings and Prints
What you need:
•
Tape •
Mirror cartons and small boxes. How to pack:
•
Large mirrors, painting or prints can be packed by your movers on the day of the move in custom mirror cartons or custom crated before the move.•
If you want to pre-pack small mirrors or paintings or prints, wrap in bubble wrap or blank newsprint with cardboard taped around them.Place them in a small or medium box. Fill loose spaces with lightly wadded paper •
For normal size mirrors, paintings or prints, put them in a flat box or mirror carton, seal, and mark "Fragile - Mirror...". Patio Furniture
What you need:
•
Tape •
Large, flat boxes for any glass tabletops •
Blank newsprint and bubble wrap for glass tabletops How to pack:
•
Packing is easy if you have furniture with no breakable parts. Hose down/clean your furniture. •
Disassemble any parts. Tape them together, or put small pieces in ziplock bags and tape to the furniture. •
If you have glass tabletops, wrap them in bubble wrap and put them in flat boxes used for mirrors and artwork. Seal and mark boxes "Fragile - Glass.". Sculptures
•
You'll need a box at least one-third larger than the size of your sculpture and bubble wrap and peanuts. •
Fill one-third of the box with Styrofoam peanuts. Wrap the sculpture with bubble wrap, put it in upright, then fill in all around and on top with peanuts. •
Your piece of art should be nestled in the center without touching the sides of the box. Tape the box and mark "Fragile - Artwork" clearly on the outside. •
For valuable or heavy items call your mover and have it properly packed and custom crated. Stereo Components
What you need:
•
Tape •
Plastic bags •
Original boxes and foam forms •
Small or Medium Boxes •
Plastic peanuts How to pack:
•
Make sure all components are completely cooled off. Use color-coded tape to mark where cables and cords should go in the equipment when you get to your new home. •
Check your CD player manual to see whether you need to tighten screws which keep internal components from moving. •
If you have a turntable, tape down the "platter" the record sits on and tape the arm to the arm rest. (Pack the plastic turntable cover separately from the turntable, if it comes off. Tt may screw down.) •
Put all components in individual plastic bags to keep them from getting dirty during the move and to keep peanuts out of the equipment. •
Put components in original boxes, or put them in small or medium boxes wrapped in bubble wrap. Fill empty spaces with peanuts. •
Don't bundle components together in the boxes unless they're small enough to be separated by peanuts. •
Seal and mark boxes "Fragile - Stereo/Audio Equipment.". Stove
•
Turn off the gas valve in the back of the stove or have a professional service it first. •
Clean the oven and stove top. •
Place all oven racks on the bottom rung and tape down. •
Tape down the burners and the protective pans under each burner. •
Tape the electrical cord and door to the stove. Lock the door, if you can. Your movers will use utility dollies and pads to properly transport it.
TV -- Flat-Screen
What you need:
•
Tape •
Original packing boxes and foam forms •
Mirror carton and foam forms How to pack:
•
Unplug your awesome big screen TV. Be sure to leave turn in your cable box, since it belong to the cable company. •
Lay it gently on its side and slide the foam forms on either end. Then slide it into the box, set it upright, seal it, and mark it "Big-Screen TV." •
If you don't have the original box, you will still need more than plastic peanuts. Companies that sell packing materials probably have dense Styrofoam blocks you can use.• Gently lay the TV on its side on top of a piece of foam. Tape another piece of foam on the bottom and slide the whole thing into both parts of a mirror carton. Fill in all sides with foam, then seal and mark it. TV/VCR -- Less than 30"
What you need:
•
Tape •
Original packing boxes and foam forms •
Large new box and foam forms How to pack:
•
Make sure the TV is cooled off and you've left the cable and cable box for the cable company. •
Do the same for the VCR. Check your manual to make sure there are no special moving preparations you need to make to stabilize internal components. •
Wrap up the cord for the TV and VCR and put in the original boxes. Or use foam forms you purchase or peanuts.•
Wrap your TV and VCR in a plastic bag before immersing in peanuts so the peanuts don't get inside the machines. •
Put the TV and VCR in separate boxes. Seal and mark the boxes "Fragile - TV/VCR.". •
One can also leave the larger TVs for your movers to pad on the day of your move. |
