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Packing Guide

PREPARING FOR A MOVE

Moving Tips That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier
So you found a new place! It’s all wonderful and exciting until you start to think about how much stuff you have. 

  1. Contact Super for elevator reservation / moving documentation

  2. Electronics, Wall Pictures, Mirrors / Glass, Sentimental, Keys, Phones, Disconnecting services, Remotes, Fill luggage and duffle bags

  3. Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day 

  4.  Pack an overnight bag containing all the essentials. easy access including a change of clothes

  5. Pack the items you will need FIRST in a clear plastic bin.

  6. This includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers,  toilet paper & tools.  

  7. Wrap your breakables (dishes, glasses, etc.) in clothing to save on bubble wrap.

  8. Two birds, one stone: you’re packing your clothes and kitchenware at the same time.

  9. For extra padding, pack your glasses and stemware in clean socks.

  10. In addition to labeling what’s in your boxes, add what room they’ll be going into, as well.

  11. When you arrive at your new home, unpack BY ROOM. The unpacking process will feel more manageable.

  12. And remember to label the SIDES of the boxes, not the tops.

  13. If you can, show up to your new home before the move and pre-clean the bathroom and kitchen.

  14. Put up a new shower curtain liner and stock some new bath towels and toilet paper, as well. You’ll want to take a hot shower after a long day of moving.

  15. Place an extra cotton pad or ball into your powder cosmetics to keep them from breaking.

  16. This is a great tip for traveling in general.

  17. Cover the openings of your toiletries with saran wrap, then put the tops back on.

  18. This will keep your toiletries from breaking and leaking all over your stuff during the move.

  19. Pack plates vertically, like records. They’ll be less likely to break.

  20. Keep drawers intact by covering them with Press’n Seal.

  21. Dresser drawers are like their own moving boxes — this will keep you from having to unpack and re-fold their contents. It’ll also make moving the actual dresser much more manageable.

  22. Press’n Seal is also great for keeping jewelry displays intact.

  23. Buy a roll of stretch wrap.  It works like Press’n Seal but on a bigger scale. You can group items together, and it’ll protect your furniture from getting scuffed and scratched.

  24. Keep sandwich bags handy for holding any small parts of things you have to take apart, like curtain rods or mounted flat-screen TVs. Tape the sandwich bags to the back of the item they correspond to.

  25. ALSO: use this method with the cords for your electronics.

  26. Start gathering boxes try your local liquor store or grocery store (even macs milk).

  27. Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you can remember how and where all the wires go.

  28. Cut down on boxes by making all of your baskets, laundry bins, hampers, and suitcases work for you.

  29. The fastest way to pack a closet:

  30. This also keeps your clothes on their hangers, for much faster unpacking.

  31. Vacuum seal your out-of-season clothing.  Not only will they take up less space and be a breeze to pack, but they can go directly into storage in the new home.

  32. 19. Make sure everything is completely packed before your friends show up to help you move.

  33. Enlist the color-coding system.   Pick a color code for each room and label that room’s boxes accordingly.  Label the door of each room with the corresponding sticker/tape so that movers know where to place the boxes.​

  34. It doesn’t hurt to number your boxes.    Make a detailed corresponding list of what’s in each box by number. 

  35. If you’re renting, take photos of your cleaned-out old home and your new home before moving in.

  36. This is essential if you ever hope to get your deposit back. It will save you major headaches with difficult landlords who charge you cleaning and repair fees unnecessarily when moving out. Fill the nail holes in your previous home with a bar of soap

  37. If you own items that you want to get rid of but are too valuable to just give away, start selling on eBay, Etsy, Kijiji or Craigslist at least 6 weeks before moving.

  38. Arrange for a charity organization to come pick up the items you don’t want at least a week or two before moving.

  39. Make your last grocery trip two weeks prior to moving.  The more food you end up using before moving, the less you’ll have to throw out.

  40. For same-city moves, hire a sitter for the children and pets

  41. The last thing you need is to be worrying about losing track of your kids or pets on this stressful day.

  42. Remember to defrost your refrigerator at least a day before moving and wipe up any liquid.

  43. Remove light bulbs from lamps & wrap individually in sandwich bags.. Make sure you have a pack of spares just in case.

  44. Wrap art work/large mirrors in spare blankets/duvets. 

  45. Be aware of 'dead space'  Drain / empty any water containing items i.e. Washer, aquarium

  46. Aside immediate essentials, bathroom, eating, entertainment

  47. Boxes must be closed

  48. Boxes must not be over packed with heavy items

Closing a Box
Moving House
Moving Boxes
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