

There are lots of ways to help make your house-hold move easier and smoother. Read here for help to get your life, and your possessions, organized for a peaceful and stress-less move.
Make a list. Have plenty of supplies on hand. |
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Use wardrobe boxes.
These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters,
pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. You can also use them
to pack shoe boxes
and other bulky items. Be sure not to make the boxes too heavy to lift!
Keep things together.
Insist on keeping things together when you are packing boxes.
Keep bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with
appliances. Small, loose parts can be attached to the item they belong to
with tape or placed in small envelopes. Keep larger corresponding items (such as a cable TV cord) in Ziplock bags, and tape these to the underside or back of the item. As a
backup, have a box for small parts open on the kitchen counter and fill it with
cables, cords, parts, pieces, brackets, or nails that are removed from any
items of furniture or small appliances. Keep this box with you, or mark it well so
that it can be easily located on move-in day.
Pack ahead.
Anything you can pack ahead of time will save you time on moving day. 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 (putting things in them!) while you
switch to using plastic grocery bags (hang them on a cabinet door or door
handle to collect your trash.)
Consolidate cleaning supplies.
If you need to clean your old place after moving out, put together a box of
basic cleaning supplies and rags. Clean anything possible ahead of time (the
inside of kitchen cupboards, the oven, windows, etc.), and vacuum each room as movers empty it.
Use your luggage.
Fill luggage and duffle bags with sheets, towels, & clothing.
Even for local moves you'll be able to quickly spot your beige suitcase
holding your favorite shirts, whereas "Box #29" might remain elusive for
days.
Safeguard valued items.
It's a good idea to keep valuable possessions with you. If you have a long move and no room in
your vehicle, bury the items in a box titled "Misc. from Kitchen". Either
way, check your homeowner's insurance to see how you are covered during the
move, and if you need additional insurance from the moving company. Also, find out
what paperwork (receipts, photos, and appraisals) you may need to file a
claim in case of a loss.
Keep important papers with you.
Your list of "important" papers might include: school records, birth certificates, mover estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor information,
maps, and more. Don't leave these papers with the mover. Keep them with you
for easy access!
Personal boxes.
Use brightly colored storage 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, nightlights, address book,
paper and pens, keys, and so on.
Moving may not be the most fun you've ever had in your life, but planning ahead will go a long way toward making the process more bearable.