If you decide to tackle the job of packing
for yourself, here are a few tips that are bound to make things
go smoothly.
1. Pack like with like. Don't
pack delicate items in a box with items that could damage them.
2. Grandma's antique tea
set and Junior's computer don't really go that well together.
3. Cover any sharp edges
of your larger items (table corners etc.) so that they do not damage
other items (A rag with a rubber band or some sort of elastic works
well for this).
4. Wrap items in clean paper.
Use newspaper for cushioning only, because
newspaper ink can damage your delicate items (like china).
5. Place crushed paper or other Styrofoam “peanuts”
in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
6. Keep the heaviest items
on the bottom and the lighter items on top, both in individual boxes
and in general. No matter how strong your coffee table is, chances
are it won't hold the weight of your big screen TV.
7. Seal cartons tightly with
tape whenever possible.
8. Develop a system to catalog
the boxes. You might give each box a number and keep a list of the
items in that box in a notebook. Or even do something as simple
as write the actual room each box will have to go in. Once those
boxes are sealed, if the boxes are unmarked, your memory will inevitably
fail you. Why leave it to chance?
9. Use this system to let
your movers know which box needs to go in which room upon arrival.
10. Wind electrical cords,
fastening them so they do not dangle. Many errant electrical chords
have caused the demise of a beloved lamp or computer.
11. Empty out your drawers
completely, especially of items that could cause damage when in
contact with other possessions.
12. Fill in empty spaces
between your heavy and light layers with crushed paper or other
cushioning.
13. For very small and fragile
items, pack a small box inside a larger box with paper or other
cushioning in between the boxes.
14. Try hard not to separate
items that belong together. Any pairs or sets of items should go
together and any screws, nuts or bolts that will be used to reassemble
a larger item should be placed with an item, clearly labeled and
well sealed.
15. Fill your boxes completely
but try to limit their weight to 50 lb. Use cushioning to achieve
this.
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