Congratulations on the purchase or sale of your home! Now, for the next challenge: moving. This is a great time to carefully weed through your possessions and to dispose of any clothes, furniture and fixtures that you no longer want or need. Donate them to a charity, hold a garage sale, or bring them to a consignment store – but if you don’t want them any more, don’t move them.
Are you going to pack yourself or hire professionals? If you’re doing your own packing, following is a list of materials you’ll need. Moving companies and overnight mail businesses can furnish these, as well as specialized items including wardrobe boxes for clothing and heavy-duty boxes for china and other breakables. Liquor and computer stores also are good sources for sturdy boxes.
You should start collecting the following materials:
- Boxes of all sizes
- Plastic bags
- Non-shredded newspapers
- Packing tape
- Markers
- Bubble wrap
- Tissues paper
Packing 101—A few guidelines
- Cushion the bottom and sides of boxes first
- Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds
- When packing, go room by room – it will make unpacking easier
- Begin your packing as early in the moving process as you can – it will take longer than you think at a time when you’ll be busy with many other concerns
- Label all boxes by item and where in your new home they should be placed
- Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes
- Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newsprint paper, paper towels or clothing, placing them in dresser drawers, containers with lids, large cans, etc.
- Fill your refrigerator and washer and dryer with clothes, linens and other light objects
- Tape cords underneath all electrical appliances
- Don’t tape furniture, doors and drawers, as tape can cause damage; instead, use rope, elastic or long strips of fabric to secure furniture
- If you have children, let them feel they are a part of the process by helping them pack their toys
On moving day…
Fill one box with moving-day essentials like paper plates, utensils, paper cups, a coffee maker and coffee, hand tools and extension cords, a bucket, rags, soaps, toilet paper, and paper towels. You may also want to set aside a few days’ worth of clothing, food, medicines, and other essentials you’ll need prior to arriving at your new home and prior to unpacking.