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Great Tips for a SMOOTH Move
Dated Checklist of Tasks
Moving your family to a new home or a
new community can be just as frustrating as it is exciting.
There are lots of ways to help the move go smoother. I have gathered
several ideas that should help you keep control of the situation and
keep your possessions organized throughout the move.
Make a list.
Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you
pack even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Get
yourself a spiral-bound notebook and a pen and you can do the job.
Place a number on EVERY box you pack and list the contents on your
list. Create a place in your home designated as Packing Central.
This is where you'll find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and
other supplies.
When describing the box contents, be
specific -- "green every day dishes" rather than "misc. kitchen".
Have plenty of supplies.
 You'll need LOTS of boxes--probably more
boxes than you think, and having enough boxes will make your life
easier! Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute
items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning
supplies. You'll need strong plastic packing tape to close up the
boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your
items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household
good. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than you think, so get
extra so the packing can go smoothly.
Label your boxes.
Clearly label EVERY box with a room name
in your new home - dining room, bedroom 1, downstairs bathroom, etc.
If necessary, post the name of the room in your new house on the
door or doorway. this is helpful for bedrooms and bathrooms so
that all helpers will know where to put the boxes and you don't end
up with a big pile.
Pack ahead.
Anything you can pack ahead will save
you time on moving day. If it's summer, get your winter clothes out
of the way. You don't really need 5 radios or TV's around your house
for the last few days there. Box up your shampoo and extra
toothpaste and live out of a travel cosmetic case for the last week
or two. Pare down cooking utensils and food supplies to bare
essentials. Wastebaskets can also be packed (put things in them!)
while you switch to using plastic grocery bags (hang them on a
cabinet door or door handle to collect trash.)
Consolidate cleaning supplies.
If you must clean your old place after
moving out, put together a kit of basic cleaning supplies and rags.
Clean anything possible ahead of time (the inside of kitchen
cupboards, the oven, windows, etc.), and if possible, vacuum each
room as movers empty it.
Clothing
This is where wardrobe boxes come in
handy. You can move clothing on hangers straight from your closet to
the wardrobe boxes. Clothing in drawers should be packed in
suitcases or boxes. Get wardrobe boxes to use for your
closet packing if possible. These tall boxes are wonderful
for packing coats and clothing. Get things organized as early
as possible.
 A few days before your move, fill some sturdy handled
shopping bags with bulky closet items such as shoes, sweaters,
belts, and jeans. On moving day, fill the bottom of the wardrobe
boxes with some of the shopping bags, then add your hanging
clothing. Pack hanging items tightly so things won't move around and
fall off of hangers. Finally, cover the shoulders of your clothes (a
dry cleaning bag works well), then add a few purses or sweaters on
top. You'll have fewer boxes, and closet items remain together.
Also, the shopping bags will make it easier to retrieve your
belongings from the bottoms of a tall wardrobe box.
Use your luggage.
Fill luggage and duffle bags with
clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods. Even for local moves
you'll be able to quickly spot your navy suitcase holding your
favorite sweaters, whereas "Box #189" might remain elusive for days.
 Keep important papers with you.
Your list of "important" papers might
include: birth certificates, school records, mover estimates, new
job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current
bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more.
Don't leave these with the mover. Keep them with you!
Personal boxes.
Use brightly colored storage tote boxes,
one for each person. Let each family member fill theirs with items
they'll want 'right away' in the new home -- a set of sheets, a
towel, a couple of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, address
book, pens and paper, keys, tissues, and travel cosmetic case, and
so on.
Appliances
Wrap small appliances in inkless
newsprint or your kitchen towels or linens. Tape the bottom of a
medium box securely and put down a layer inkless newsprint for
padding. You can pack several small appliances to a box.
For large appliances, make sure you
check your owner's manual for any special instructions before you
start to pack. Make sure the inside and outside of all appliances
are clean. You can stuff the inside of some appliances, such as
washing machines and dryers, with towels or linens. Tape down any
parts that could come loose -- the burners on your stove, the
electrical cords, etc. Wrap the appliance with furniture pads and
tie securely.
Art and collectibles
Put Corrugated Corners on and wrap each
piece in bubble wrap. Pad the bottom of a large box with crumpled
inkless newsprint. Give the items plenty of space, and make sure you
add lots of packing material on the sides, between items and on top.
Remember to label the box "fragile."
Books
Use only small boxes for books -- they
get very heavy, very fast. You can use small paperbacks to fill the
sides of the box if there is extra space.
Electronic equipment
Ideally, you should pack electronic
equipment such as stereos, TVs and computers in their original boxes
with their original packing material. If this is unavailable, wrap
the equipment in plastic bags. Wrap each piece in bubble pack and
pack in our heavy duty TV Box (25" x 25" x 25" DW).
Furniture
If you can take your furniture apart in
any way to make it easier to move, make sure you put all nuts, bolts
and screws in a small zip-lock bag and tape the bag to the
furniture. Tape drawers shut where necessary. Wrap exposed legs (on
tables and chairs) in bubble wrap or inkless newsprint. Wrap in
furniture pads and tie securely.
Kitchenware
Wrap breakable items in bubble wrap or
inkless newsprint. Put layers of bubble wrap between each plate or
bowl. Fill the top bowl with crumpled inkless newsprint. Make sure
you put the heavier items on the bottom of the box.
Wrap non-breakable items in inkless
newsprint before packing in a box Use cell packs to separate
delicate items. Make sure you pack all the items you'll need for
your first few days in you new home in one box, and label it
prominently. You can only eat take-out for so long.
Mirrors and framed art
 Tape an X of masking tape across mirrors
and paintings framed with glass. Wrap each item in bubble wrap. You
can use our shipping cartons for these pieces. Make sure you label
everything fragile.
Moving may not be the most fun you've
ever had, but planning ahead will go a long way toward making the
process bearable.
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