Moving Tips

Packing Supplies

• Sturdy packing boxes
• Bubble wrap
• Packing peanuts
• Several rolls of packing tape
• Tissue and ink-free packing paper
• Scissors or tools to open up boxes
• Several permanent markers and/or colored sticker labels
• Old blankets or sheets for the corners of furniture, or to wrap around cabinets to keep the drawers shut

PACKING TIPS

• Get more boxes than you think you will need.
• Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with a description of its contents and destination (e.g. kitchen, upstairs bathroom). Be as specific as possible — it will make unpacking that much easier.
• Pack boxes firmly to prevent shifting during the move. Plug up extra space with items you need to pack anyway, such as pillowcases, face cloths, or socks.
• Pack plates and record albums on end vertically, rather than placed flat and stacked.
• Place heavier items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
• Make a box of essentials that will be packed last and opened first. This box may include:
• Tools such as lightbulbs, batteries, flashlight, tape measure, and screwdrivers
• Bathroom items such as hand towels, soap, toilet paper, shampoo, and shower curtain
• Kitchen items such as paper towels, cups, and plates; plastic utensils; dish detergent; a sponge; and trash bags
• Have a way to be contacted after your utilities are shut off and before your new ones go active. Make sure friends, family, and anyone else who may need to contact you have that information.
• Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box.
• Get your car serviced a week before you move so it's ready for the journey.
• Bring a bag of nonperishable, low-maintenance, "energy" food for moving day, such as nuts, pretzels, crackers, and dried fruit. Make sure everyone has a bottle of water as well. Before you move, research some nearby take-out restaurants at your new location so you're prepared when the troops get hungry.
• Consult with your vet to find the best way to get Fluffy or Fido to your new home. A cross-town move may be no trouble, but if planes or trains are involved, you'll want to be sure you have a plan of action that will be the least stressful for all of you.
• If you have small children, let them pack their own box of personal items so they feel like they're helping out, as well as making them a feel a little more in control of this new situation.
• Protect your memories. If it's irreplaceable, take it with you in the car (you don't want regrets later). But if you do decide to pack framed photos or art, place sheets or blankets between them for added protection.
• If you are using a moving company, some common household items cannot be included in your shipment because they are hazardous materials. Examples include flammables such as paint, varnish and thinners, gasoline, kerosene and oil, bottled gas, aerosol cans, nail polish and remover, ammunition and explosives, corrosives, and cleaning fluids and detergents.

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