Begin packing a couple of weeks before you move. Careful packing pays by preventing breakage and loss of small and fragile items. Moving time is a great time to weed out old, unwanted or unneeded possessions. They only take up storage space.Another thing, you'll want plenty of
sturdy corrugated cartons, packing paper, sealing tape and a
magic marker-type pen. Then, if you'll follow these simple packing tips they will save you trouble, help you avoid damage to your goods and make maximum use of the space in your storage locker and moving truck.
Appliances: Tape all appliance doors shut when moving. Wedge doors open in storage. Secure all movable parts with paper or wedge. Wrap a paper mat around each item for protection. Freezer or refrigerator, washer and dryer make excellent packing cartons for bedding, towels and clothing. Always clean your stove before moving and give utility companies a few days notice to disconnect appliances.
Beds: Lash bed rails together with rope or plastic tape. As you take beds apart, mark all pieces so you know which goes with which headboard, etc. Place covers on mattresses to keep clean during moving and storage.
Books: Books get heavy in bunches. Pack them in small cartons, holding weight to under 30 pounds for easy lifting.
Line all book cartons with plastic and fill empty spaces with packing paper.
Bureaus: Make your bureau drawers earn their passage as extra packing boxes. Fill with small and fragile items. Sweaters, blankets and towels make excellent padding.
Cartons: Go easy on your back. Hold weight of all packing cartons under 30 pounds. With marking pen, list contents of each carton on the side. For load sizing multiply length x width x height of each carton if that information is not already on the carton.
Chairs: Protect all chair legs by wrapping them in packing paper. Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and cover them with plastic covers.
Clothing: Clothing that ordinarily hangs in a closet should be packed in a wardrobe carton.
Dishes: Take your time when packing dishes. Wrap each one with packing paper and cushion them in the carton with crumpled packing paper. Keep dish pack cartons under 30 pounds for easy handling and safe riding.
Glasses: Pack glasses carefully. Wrap with foam or bubble pack and pad with crumpled packing paper just like dishes.
Lamps: Pack lamp shades in individual boxes with plenty of paper for padding. Lamp bases ride securely in lamp cartons. For safety, pad them well with towels and blankets.
Mirrors: Wrap your mirrors in paper mats, place in mirror pack and identify them with your marker pen so you won't accidentally bang or bump them. Plan to stand them on edge. Never store a mirror pack flat.
Paintings: Wrap paintings in paper mats and mirror pack same as mirrors. Mark them fragile and store them on edge, never flat.
Records and Record Players: Tie down the player arm and secure the turntable on your record player with packing paper. Use a paper mat to protect outside finish and load with extreme care.Records should be individually wrapped, like dishes-packed in sturdy cartons and marked "fragile".
Tables: If possible, remove legs from large tables. Extra leaves should be tied together and paded.
Such as old paint, cleaning fluids, gasoline, etc. Make certain all fuel is drained or burned out of gasoline powered equipment. Throw away anything that could possibly cause fire. Do not store food in open containers or any item which could attract rodents or pests. Why risk your possessions just to keep a few cents' worth of leftovers?