With all the prep finished we are finally getting to the meat and potatoes of the Summer Moving Series. Your junk is all gone and your packing supplies are ready; now it’s time to box everything up. If you have hired a moving company to do the packing, your job is done. However, if you will be boxing yourself, take a moment to read our packing tips to help make your move as easy as possible.
Think About Frequency of Use
Obviously, you won’t want to pack your toothbrush and clean clothes until you are very close to leaving, but this same thought process can be applied to many other items around the house. You may want to leave the TV and coffee table out until the final days, but pictures, books and other infrequently used things can begin to be boxed further in advance. Attics, closets, basements and other storage areas can easily be packed well before the rest, saving you time and energy as the moving date approaches.
Pack Sensibly
Keep in mind that someone will have to carry the boxes that you pack. Try to keep each one at a manageable weight (probably no more than 50 lbs) so that they hold their contents and don’t break anyone’s back. Another thing to consider is how you pack each box. Like a grocery bag, heavier things should be placed at the bottom and cardboard, Styrofoam or newspaper should be used to keep things from banging into each other. Smaller items should be placed in smaller boxes, which can then go into bigger boxes. Try to pack rooms together and be sure to label every box. If you are packing any liquids, make sure to seal them tightly in water proof bags or containers.
Keep an Inventory
You should make a written inventory of the content of each box. Not only will this help with organization and unpacking, but it will also prove to be very useful if a box is lost or damaged by a moving company and you have to file a claim. You may also want to label boxes with more important items “OPEN FIRST.”
Quick Packing Tips
· If you take furniture apart, bag all screws and tape the bag to the largest piece.
· Leave clothes in dresser drawers and tape them shut.
· Leave silverware in the tray and bubble wrap the whole thing.
· Tape down all moving parts so that they aren’t broken or lost.
· Keep important documents with you or mail them separately.
· Wrap fragile items in newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent breakage.
· Pack electronics in their original boxes if possible.
· Clearly label boxes containing breakable items as “FRAGILE” and indicate “THIS END UP."
· Never pack flammable or unstable items.
· Don’t overstuff boxes, but try to minimize the amount of free space you leave.
While we are pretty savvy when it comes to moving and packing, there are certainly creative and useful tips that we haven’t heard of. If you would like to share any packing tips that we missed, please feel free to leave them in the comments area.
