Packing Methods For An Easier Moving Day

By Stephen Daniels

No one looks forward to packing for a move. Packing efficiently for moving day can be quite the undertaking. Since most people have moved several times in their lifetimes, they have developed their own style of moving. Some people will clean and organize and then pack, so that they can unpack easily. Others will throw random items into boxes, planning to worry about organizing after they move. However you pack, knowing how to pack will make the move smoother, more efficient and less stressful. The following are some helpful tips to pack for moving day.

Starting as soon as you can is always recommended. A great place to start is with items you use least. Breaking up your tasks in this way will reduce the inconvenience you experience while allowing you to accomplish your moving goals. Save your most frequently used items for last, packing them in specific boxes.

Make sure you label everything. This is one of the most common moving tips, and for good reason. You can specify boxes for each room, and use color coded paper and markers to label each box. For example, use purple sheets of paper for the bedroom, and print the contents of the box on that paper, using a marker so it will be visible from far away. You might label at least two adjacent sides of each box, so that they will be easy to read no matter which way they are facing.

You can also keep a notebook with a list of each box and its contents as well as labeling each box. This will help prevent loss. Numbering boxes can be another way to keep track of them all.

Prevent injury by using smaller boxes for heavy items like books -- the last thing you need on moving day is a back injury. If there is extra space left in a box with denser objects, use blankets, curtains, or towels as filler to ensure that the contents are securely packed without being too heavy.

Wrap up any breakable items. Linens, towels, and blankets are useful wrappers. Avoid wrapping cloth items like lampshades in newspaper or other printed papers, as the ink from these papers may stain the item. However, newspaper makes a good base layer for cushioning the bottom of a box, as well as an outer wrapping for china, glassware, and figurines. Boxes should be filled securely, but should not be too heavy. Fill any remaining space with blankets or newspaper, so the contents do not shift while in transit. Label all boxes "FRAGILE" if they contain anything breakable.

Whenever possible, items that are similar should be packed together. Wrapping and stacking plates on top of each other is efficient, and other tableware can be stored in the same box. Be careful to tuck packing paper inside glasses as well as wrapping the exterior.

Moving day is often stressful. However, with a little planning and a whole lot of labeling, you can make both packing and unpacking a more efficient process while still handling all of your valuable items with the care that they deserve. - 30331

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