Packing Your Home 101

Ready to move? Dreading to pack up your home? Here’s all you need to know on how to pack your home quickly and efficiently!

1. Always pack items carefully by wrapping them with newspaper and bubble wrap.
2. Don’t mix items from different rooms in the same box.
3. Pack items first that are the used infrequently. Leave the items you use everyday to be packed last.
4. Don’t pack delicate china in the same box as frying pans. Put them in their own box.
5. Pack similar items together.
6. Keep all parts or pairs of things together. Mirror bolts, curtain rod hangers, mirrors, etc.
7. Wind electrical cords, fastening them so that they don’t tangle or dangle.
8. Wrap items individually in clean paper- tissue paper, or paper towels. Use a double layer or newspaper for good outer wrapping.
9. Build up in layers, with heavy items on the bottom. Medium weight in the middle, then light weight items on top.
10. Pack small and fragile items separately in small boxes, and cushion them with crushed or shredded paper.
11.  Seal boxes tightly with tape when finished with them. Be sure to label each box for the room it belongs to and what the items in the box are. This makes unpacking easier and quicker.
12. When packing books, pack them either flat or with the spine touching the bottom of the box. Do not pack with the spine facing up. Use small boxes when packing books because they are generally heavy.
13. Family photos and videos should be packed in separate boxes rather than being combined with other household items.
14. Clothing left on hangers and placed in wardrobe boxes only allows them to arrive at their new destination wrinle free. If clothing is being taken off the hangers, fold them neatly and placed in a suitcase or box filled with clean paper.
15. Bedding and linen should be placed in large plastic bags. Pillows should be placed in a separate bag.
16. Leave rugs on the floor for moving companies to handle. If they’ve just been returned from the cleaners, leave them rolled up.
17. Pre-move prep is required for any major appliances. Clean them thoroughly and set an appointment with a servite technician to help prepare you to move major appliances for shipment.
18. Small appliances like clocks can be packed with lamp bases. Lamp shades should be wrapped individually in large trash bags and tied.
19. Tools such as garden tools, brooms, and mops should be bundled together securely. Be sure to drain gasoline in the lawn mower the day before moving.
20. Perishable food, such as powdered food, rice, macaroni, and cereals should be sealed with tape and placed in small boxes.

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