Packing is more than just shoving all things you own onto a truck and hitting the road. While I don't believe you necessarily have to hire a pro for a prosperous move, you do need to know what you are doing before you start loading all of your belongings into boxes. Without a little bit of enlarge preparation, you could find yourself sorting straight through unlabeled boxes seeing for your frying pan -- or worse yet, filling out damage claims -- instead of enjoying your new home!
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I once helped a friend pack, and was shocked to watch her put food and dishes and medicine and gardening supplies all in the same box. I asked why on earth she did this, and her response was, "That's just how I picked things up." Unfortunately, once she got to her new home, she ended up spending two days hiking all over the house to put things where they belonged. If you will pack your treasures by room -- storing all of the items that belong in the bedroom in one box, those that will go in the bathroom in another, stuff for the kitchen in a third -- packing will go by twice as fast. And be sure to Label each box -- with both the room it belongs to and its contents ("books," "cookware," "towels," etc.) Taking a few minutes to create a specialist inventory list of all your boxes and their contents, according to room, will also help you make sure nothing gets left behind in the move.
Packing Basics
I've seen it before -- population either get in such a rush to move or so sick of packing that they just throw things in boxes, without giving any notion to how that box will travel. Of course, the same population show a lot more concern about the packing job when they find their treasures damaged on the other end! First off, try not to exceed 50 Pounds in each packed box -- otherwise they will be impossible to carry and your belongings might be crushed. As you pack, place heavier items on the bottom of each box and lighter items on top. Your packaging will be more garage and less likely to tip over in transit. Use strong Twine or threaded packing tape to fully seal your packaging -- don't just fold the flaps in over themselves, unless you want all things spilling out as the truck is unloaded.
Packing fragile Items
Many population are afraid to pack their own valuables -- preferring the price and risk of hiring a mover to pack them -- naturally because they are afraid they don't know what they are doing. But it's easy to pack fragile items so that they won't be damaged, with the right equipment. If you still have the item's traditional packaging, use that for warehouse while your move -- especially electronic equipment and knick-knacks that have their own specially molded styrofoam padding. If you don't have the traditional packaging, use clean crumpled paper, bubble wrap or styrofoam peanuts for padding. Don't be afraid to use too much padding, especially when packing items that might get chipped or bent easily. You can all the time use compartmentalized boxes -- like the ones used for transporting stemware -- to keep fragile objects from bumping together. Try to sit items flat on one side or an additional one -- packing fragile objects at strange angles is enthralling damage. And be sure to pack your packaging tightly to avoid Shifting, the whole one cause of damage while moves.
Packing Furniture
Moving furniture can pose a problem -- more because of an item's size and bulkiness than its fragility. With many pieces, you must also take steps to protect concluded surfaces from mars and scratches -- which are indubitably avoided by face each piece of furniture with a sheet, blanket, or paper. Be sure to pad corners with extra foam or blankets -- these all the time seem attracted to door frames and sharp corners! It's tempting -- and often an efficient use of space - to store clothing and linens inside of chests and dressers as you move them. But be right about Overloading, which can cause furniture joints to separate and collapse. To protect mirrors, pictures, and glass shelves, wrap each piece in a blanket, tape securely, and mark with a note not to sit whatever on top of that package. And use only blank newsprint to avoid ink smudges on your belongings, especially lampshades and fabric-covered items.
Special Instructions
Some items are difficult or perilous to transport, unless you put in order them carefully ahead of time. And you can do serious damage to your appliances if they aren't properly stabilized for travel. Start by draining all fluids -- oil, gas, etc. -- from your power and yard tools so they won't leak. Arrange of all corrosive and evaporative chemicals -- such as oil, antifreeze, paint, and gasoline. Once you have cleaned out your refrigerator and freezer, leave the doors open to decrease the humidity. And before packing these items on the truck, place a piece of coal or layer of baking soda in the bottom to preclude mildew and musty smells. You will also want to block your washer agitator to preclude damage while the move. If you plan to transport a piano, have a trained piano mover put in order your instrument for travel. You might also want to seek extra advice from your local nursery about transporting any plants, and from your vet about traveling with your pet.
Packing Doesn'T Stop With The Boxes
So, you've successfully packed all of your stuff into packaging -- don't take a break yet! either you are hiring movers or getting a U-Haul, you still need to make sure that your belongings are put on the truck the right way. Many population load their furniture on first, but this is indubitably counter-intuitive. Think about it -- when you are ready to unpack and get settled in, what should go into each room first? Boxes, or the furniture that will hold the contents of those boxes? Start by packing items you won't need right away -- holiday dishes, off-season clothes, memorabilia, boxes of books -- on the front of the truck (nearest the cab). Make sure to leave room for those things you will want to set up immediately -- the beds, the coffee pot, towels, sheets -- near the back or on top of other items. Don't be afraid to load your truck to the ceiling or tie items down -- a tightly-packed load is less likely to shift while transit, meaning less opening of damage.
Packing Made Easy
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