Moving -Packing Tips

**My Comments will be in blue...**

Moving Packing Tips

Packing Supplies, Labeling & Packing Tips

Keep the following supplies handy for packing:
Boxes, (Check)
marking pen, (Check)
bubble wrap, (Uh oh....)
newspaper and tissue (Check)
Tape and scissors (Check... Will probably run out of tape...)
Tape measure (HA! MANY of those kicking around!)
Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly. Purchase special boxes for dishes, wardrobe and other special items. (Gotcha!)
Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes. Label cables and tighten transit screws. If removing screws, tape them to the objects they are removed from. (I'm leaving this up to Tyler so when we get to our new place and things are 'missing' I can't be to blame! *L*)
Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box. (Dang-it I don't own a scale... Ugh!)
Label each box and indicate the following:
(a) Which room it should go in (K...)
(b) Whether it is fragile (Good idea...)
(c) If it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first. (Oh. Uh... Not really concerned as long as it gets there... And we're loading/unloading....)
Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or tissue. Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items. (BUBBLE WRAP! Must buy some... Have TONS of newspaper though....)
Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. If musty smelling, sprinkle talcum powder between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave stored for a couple of months to eliminate the smell. (Done and done.. Most of the packing I've done is books. I think books add up to 45% of our household items! *L*)
Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for the move. (HA, HA, HA.... Spend money??!! What money??!! Ha! I'll wash our curtains and steam clean our rugs if I have time...)
Pack medicines in a leak proof container. (Will do!)
Carry all valuables with you. (Sure, sounds good.... I may end up weighing so much I can't move... *wink*)
Check with your local U.S. Department of Agriculture for regulations regarding moving plants from one state to another. Many states have restrictions on certain plants to prevent importing bugs or pests that can destroy valuable cash crops. (Please note, we're not moving in the states or to the states... Just from Edmonton to Leduc....)

How to Pack Boxes

PLAN AHEAD TO OBTAIN NECESSARY CARTONS:
We can sell you any cartons you might need in addition to other packing material such as paper and tape. You might save a substantial amount of money, however, by obtaining cartons from other sources such as friends who have recently moved and/or stores. Starting to collect cartons a month or two prior to your move will probably make it possible to obtain enough cartons. (We're planning in buying 'special boxes' from U-Haul... This way they'll stack better.... Right now I'm using boxes from our buddies that just recently moved as well... I've been asking people for help in this area for months now!)

SELECT THE PROPER SIZE AND TYPE OF CARTON:
Heavy items such as books, record albums, canned food, etc. should be put in smaller cartons. Some items such as large pictures, mirrors, glass tops and shelves, clocks and mattresses may require special cartons which we can provide. (I think I'll move my photos, pictures in frames, etc. in my van.... Not in the huge-ass U-Haul we'll be using...)

PACKING OF SOME ITEMS IS OPTIONAL ON LOCAL MOVES:
When you are moving locally some items do not necessarily need to be packed. Items such as mirrors, large pictures and mattresses can usually be transported safely for short distances without packing. Generally, these items should be packed for long distance move and for shipments moving into storage. Lamps and lampshades should always be packed. (HA! Look at me go, what did I just write above??! *L*)

PACK ONE ROOM AT A TIME:
Packing can appear to be an insurmountable task when viewed from the perspective of the entire house. Packing one room at a time (and staying with that room until it is fully packed) has the effect of dividing the overall task into several smaller and more manageable tasks. This approach also makes it possible to set realistic goals, i.e. pack the dining room today, the kitchen tomorrow, etc. (I'm having trouble with this... As our living room is the only room we have for play/living/eating in.... It also contains most of our stuff.... *sigh*)

TAPE THE BOTTOM OF CARTONS:
Taping the bottom of cartons before filling them prevents the contents from spilling out the bottom during the move. (Alrighty!)

HEAVY ITEMS ON THE BOTTOM/LIGHT ITEMS ON TOP:
In each carton the heavier items should be placed at the bottom and the lighter items on top to prevent damage. (Isn't this common sense??)

USE A LOT OF PAPER:
All breakable items should be wrapped individually in paper. Paper should be used to cushion the bottom, sides and top of cartons. (Can and will do!)

PLACE BREAKABLES CORRECTLY IN CARTON:
Plates should be stacked vertically as if in a dish drain; glasses and stemware should be placed in an upright position; again, use plenty of paper on all fragile and breakable items. (Really? Vertically?? Will do!)

CORRECTLY FILL CARTONS:
Fill all cartons to the top without overfilling. Cartons with items sticking over the top cannot be properly closed or stacked; cartons that are underfilled tend to crush when stacked. Always make sure each carton is filled totally to the top before closing. A small space at the top can be filled with paper, a towel, a blanket or other similar items. (I love Rubbermaid, yes I do! I've been packing things into bins and it's great! Things like movies, Cd's and such... That way if it gets wet -as we're moving in rainy season- nothing will be damaged!)

CLOSE CARTON AND SEAL SHUT WITH TAPE:
Cartons should be closed-top and sealed with tape to prevent damage and make stacking easier. (Well....Duh! *L*)

LABEL EACH CARTON:
Use a felt pen to clearly label each carton as to its general contents and the room it is to be placed in at destination. Label on the side of each carton rather than on the top so that cartons in stacks can be identified. If a carton is packed in a manner that requires it to be always kept in an upright position, draw arrows on each side indicating which end must always be kept up. Any cartons containing particularly fragile items should be labeled as such. (Oh how I hate doing the guess and test thing when moving... I'm a planner and label-er, this is like reminding me to breathe! *L*)

STACK CARTONS:
Time will be saved on your move if you arrange cartons in stacks of similar sized cartons four to five feet high. This enables the cartons to be easily dollied from the house to the truck. (So.... We're moving ourselves... Would any of you like to join in the fun? The weekend before we move we're building our garage.... Helping hands needed there as well! Food and drinks will be given!)

Moving Sentimental Items, Irreplaceables and Valuables

Important Papers and sentimental Items
Things of importance and information you need on hand should be carried with you, not moved by movers. These may not have much of a monetary value, but they could be very difficult to replace or be irreplaceable:

Address Books
Air Line Tickets
Bonds
Cameras
Car Keys
Check Books
Computer Disks
Computer Software
Diaries
Deeds
Files
Financial Records
Jewelry
Letters
Medical Records
Photos and Albums
Research Projects
Extraordinary Value Items
(I AM the 'movers'... Guess this won't be an issue!)

Anything worth more than $100 a pound is considered an Extraordinary Value Item. If you decide to have your movers move your extraordinary value items, you need to make an inventory list identifying each one and then advise your mover in writing of their existence before the move. Most van lines have a special High Value Inventory Form for you to fill out for this purpose.

Antiques
Art Collections
Coin Collections
Computer Software
Currency
Figurines
Furs
Jewelry
Oriental Rugs
Precious Stones/Gems
Silver & Silverware
Video Cameras
(HA, HA, HA, HA...... *Sniff, Sniff*... One day.. One day...)