Packing for a big move can be an ordeal in itself, but with the right preparation and organization, it doesn't have to be. Some people like to clean and organize before packing, in order to unpack more easily. Others pack haphazardly, planning to take their time unpacking and organizing. Whichever personality you tend towards, knowing how to pack for moving day makes the entire process more efficient and less stressful. These packing tips should help you get ready to move.
First of all, start early. A useful tip is to start with infrequently used or out of season items, saving items you use daily for last. This will allow you to begin packing as early as possible while minimizing inconvenience. Pack your most frequently used items in specific boxes, so you will know what to unpack first.
Make sure you label everything. This is one of the most common moving tips, and for good reason. You can specify boxes for each room, and use color coded paper and markers to label each box. For example, use purple sheets of paper for the bedroom, and print the contents of the box on that paper, using a marker so it will be visible from far away. You might label at least two adjacent sides of each box, so that they will be easy to read no matter which way they are facing.
In addition to labeling the boxes themselves, keep a notebook handy, with a list of each box and its contents. This will help prevent loss. Numbering the boxes is another useful way of keeping track of them.
To avoid injury, do not fill boxes with only heavy items. Use small boxes for items such as books; a back injury is the last thing you need on moving day. If there is extra space left in a box after filling it with books, use blankets, curtains, or towels as filler to ensure that the contents are securely packed without being too heavy.
Wrap up any breakable items. Linens, towels, and blankets are useful wrappers. Avoid wrapping cloth items like lampshades in newspaper or other printed papers, as the ink from these papers may stain the item. However, newspaper makes a good base layer for cushioning the bottom of a box, as well as an outer wrapping for china, glassware, and figurines. Boxes should be filled securely, but should not be too heavy. Fill any remaining space with blankets or newspaper, so the contents do not shift while in transit. Label all boxes "FRAGILE" if they contain anything breakable.
Pack like items together, wherever possible. Plates can be wrapped and stacked on top of each other, with other flatware in the same box. Glasses should be wrapped carefully, tucking packing paper into the center of each glass as well as around the outside.
Moving day is often stressful. However, with a little planning and a whole lot of labeling, you can make both packing and unpacking a more efficient process while still handling all of your valuable items with the care that they deserve.
Author Resource:
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