You'll need:
Blank newsprint or
your own towels and linens
Medium-sized boxes
TIP: Don't use plastic peanuts or
shredded newsprint, which could get into the
machines and cause damage.
How to pack:
1. Group kitchen
appliances, like blenders and toasters, or
other small household appliances, like hand-held
vacuums and telephones, two or three to a
box. ( Make sure they're clean - don't pack
yesterday's toast or blender drinks!)
2. Make sure
the bottom of the box is securely taped, then
pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint
(wadded up, not shredded) or your towels and
sheets.
3. Put the
appliances in and pad them well all around
with packing material.
4. Then put
another layer of packing materials on top,
seal the box, and mark it "Kitchen Appliances."
Now you're good to go!
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Appliances
- Big
We're talking
washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners,
refrigerators - the big stuff! Before you
pack any of it, read your users manual for
each appliance to make sure there aren't more
special moving preparations you'll need to
make. Also, consider servicing all your appliances
a week or two before you move, if you haven't
done it in a while.
You'll need:
Tape
Large pads and rope
Your towels and linens, clothes, and stuffed
animals (that's right, stuffed animals) for
washing machines
Baking soda for a washing machine and refrigerator
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A
washing machine . . .
1. Do all
your wash a couple of days before you're ready
to move.
2. Drain all
the water out of the washer. If possible,
take the washer outside and tip it sideways
to empty out remaining water from the water
hose. Then dry the interior completely with
a towel.
3. Take out
all accessories and fittings and put them
in a plastic bag.
4. Stuff towels
between the washing machine sides and the
tub to keep the tub from rotating.
5. Fill the
basket with clothes, linens, and stuffed animals
(that's rights, stuffed animals). Also include
a box of baking soda (designed so you don't
have to tear open the top of the box) to cut
down on mildew.
6. Tape the
lid and electrical cord down, then tie a large
pad around the outside. Now you're done!
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A
dryer . . .
1. Disconnect
the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer
and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely
roll the hose and place it in the dryer basket.
2. Tape the
lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door
down.
3. Tie a large
pad around the outside of the dryer. You're
done!
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A
refrigerator . . .
1. One day
before moving, empty out the contents and
defrost. (Eat what you can, then give the
rest away to neighbors - never transport perishable
food.)
2. Empty the
drainage pan underneath and disconnect and
drain out your automatic ice maker.
3. Clean the
walls, drawers, and shelves.
4. Some refrigerators
have "leveling rollers," which are
wheels that raise and lower each corner of
the refrigerator so it is even. Check your
manual to see whether you should raise or
lower them for the move.
5. Wrap shelves
(especially if they are glass) and tape them
together. Tape down all other loose parts,
including the drawers on the inside and the
electrical cord and doors on the outside.
6. Tie a large
pad around it. That's it!
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A
stove . . .
1. Clean the
oven and stove top.
2. Place all
oven racks on the bottom rung and tape down.
3. Tape down
the burners and the protective pans under
each burner.
4. Tape the
electrical cord and door to the stove (lock
the door, if you can), then tie a large pad
around it. You're done!
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A
dishwasher . . .
1. Remove
all dishes and tape down the racks and silverware
basket.
2. See your
manual for removing and draining the water
hook-up.
3. Close and
lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape
the hose and cord to the dishwasher.
4. Tie a large
pad around it. That's all!
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An
air conditioner . . .
1. If your
air conditioner is in use, shut if off the
day before so the coils can dry and cool off.
2. Remove
and clean or replace the filter.
3. Tape the
cord to the side of the air conditioner (not
the back, where the coils are).
4. Use the
original box, if you have it, or another large
appliance box well-padded with wadded up newsprint.
(Don't use Styrofoam peanuts, which could
get inside the air conditioner and cause problems
later.)
5. If you
don't have a box, tie two large pads around
it to protect the coils. That's it!
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Armoires
Armoires can
be great packing spaces for lightweight items
like pillows, lamp shades, even hanging clothes,
if you use a tight tension rod inside. If
you're going to pack a lamp shade, be sure
to pad it all around with lots of lightly
wadded up blank newsprint or bubble wrap.
What you need:
Rope
Large padding or old blankets
How to pack:
1. Remove
all the contents from the shelves. Don't try
to ship your CDs, TV, cards and games, or
other loose items inside the armoire - they'll
be jostled and probably damaged.
2. If you
have drawers, you can keep some items inside
if they're not too heavy. Wad up blank newsprint
in the empty spaces and tape the drawers shut.
3. If you
like, fill in empty spaces with lightweight
items, like pillows and lamp shades (properly
padded with lightly wadded up blank newsprint
or bubble wrap.) Several lamp shades can be
stacked together with blank newsprint in between.
4. Close and
lock your doors, if possible, or tie the handles
together.
5. Tie large
padding or old blankets around the outside.
All done!
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Artwork
and Mirrors
You'll need:
Tape
Blank newsprint and cardboard or bubble wrap
Styrofoam peanuts for sculptures
Boxes (flat and/or sized to fit) for each
piece of artwork
How to pack:
Framed
prints . . .
1. Wrap them
individually in newsprint and then tape cardboard
around them. Or wrap them in bubble wrap.
2. Put them
in flat fitted boxes. If they still fit loosely
in their individual boxes, fill in the spaces
with lightly wadded blank newsprint.
3. Tape the
box shut and mark it. You're done!
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Mirrors
. . .
1. Put tape
across the front of the mirror like an X to
keep the pieces in place in case the glass
breaks.
2. Wrap in
bubble wrap or blank newsprint with cardboard
taped around them. Fill loose spaces with
lightly wadded paper
3. Put in
a flat box, seal, and mark "Fragile -
Mirror." That's all!
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Original
paintings . . .
1. If your
painting is framed with glass, tape the front
like an X with masking tape.
2. Cover the
framed painting or canvas with bubble wrap
and tape it closed.
3. Build a
box to fit that is slightly bigger than the
painting, or purchase one. If you're packing
a canvas (no frame, no glass), wrap the cardboard
box in bubble wrap again, tape it, then build
or buy a second box slightly bigger than the
first. Double-boxing is a guarantee against
other sharp objects puncturing the box and
canvas during the move.
4. Tape the
box well and mark "Fragile - Art."
All done now!
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Sculptures
. . .
1. You'll
need a box at least one-third larger than
the size of your sculpture and bubble wrap.
2. Fill one-third
of the box with Styrofoam peanuts. Wrap the
sculpture with bubble wrap, put it in upright,
then fill in all around and on top with peanuts.
Your piece of art should be nestled in the
center without touching the sides of the box.
3. Tape the
box and mark "Fragile - Artwork"
clearly on the outside. That's it!
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Beds
You'll need:
Rope or tape
Large pads for headboards and footboards
Sheets or mattress covers
Plastic bag
How to pack:
1. Disassemble
the bed frames and mark the pieces so you
know where they go later. Tie or tape rails
together.
2. Take all
screws, bolts, nuts, etc. put in plastic bag
and tape to rails.
3. Tie large
pads around headboard and footboards, if you
have them.
4. Leave sheets
on mattresses to protect them, or cover them
with plastic mattress covers. You're done!
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Books
You'll need:
Tape
Small boxes
How to pack:
TIP: If you've
collected lots of books over time, it's a
great time to re-evaluate what you really
want to keep. Consider selling some at a yard
sale or to a secondhand book store. More weight
in your truck adds to the final price if you're
being moved, and puts a strain on you if you're
moving yourself.
1. Never pack
more than 30 pounds of books in a box, unless
you're a weightlifter by trade.
2. Fill in
small spaces in each box with smaller paperbacks.
Alternate bindings every few books to keep
stacks level in each box.
3. Tape shut
and mark "Books." You're done!
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Bureaus
You'll need:
Rope
Large pads
How to pack:
TIP: Don't
leave bureau drawers completely full for the
move - the bureau will be too heavy. Use suitcases
to pack some clothing and other non-fragile
items from your bureau drawers.
1. Partially
empty out drawers and fill spaces with small,
fragile items like clocks or picture frames
wrapped in loose clothing.
2. Don't put
tape on the drawers - it could stick to the
finish.
3. Tie a large
pad securely around the bureau. That's it!
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Chairs
You'll need:
Bubble wrap
or blank newsprint
Tape
Furniture pads
How to pack:
1. Wrap arms
of chairs with blank newsprint or bubble wrap
and tape.
2. Leave slipcovers
on or cover with large flat sheets.
3. Cover next
with furniture pads. Now you're done!
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Clothes
You'll need:
Wardrobe boxes
Suitcases
Small and medium boxes
How to pack:
1. Hang clothes
from closets in wardrobe boxes. If the boxes
still have some space, consider filling them
with lightweight items like lamp shades covered
in bubble wrap.
2. Pack some
clothes from bureaus in boxes or suitcases
so the bureaus won't be too heavy to move.
3. Consider
using some clothes as packing material in
between breakable items or to fill spaces
in other boxes that contain items from bedrooms.
4. Mark boxes
"Clothing" or with the person's
name. You're all done!
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Computers
You'll need:
Tape
Small pieces of cardboard
Plastic bags
Original cartons and foam forms
-or-
Two sets of
boxes, one larger than the other (for double-boxing
components)
Styrofoam peanuts.
How to pack:
1. Back up
all the files on your computer.
2. Your computer
company may recommend that you "park"
your hard drive. That means using a special
program (possibly called "SHIP.EXE")
that makes recording heads in the hard drive
pull back from the data area into a "safer"
area of the CPU.
3. Pack your
disks in a separate box, but not with anything
magnetic.
4. Bundle
cables and wires and color code them to their
matching holes so it's easy to reconnect in
your new home.
5. If your
computer is completely cooled off, put each
component part in a plastic bag to keep dirt
out during the move, then inside the foam
forms in their original boxes. Fit cables
and other accessories in the sides of each
box and fill with peanuts.
6. If you
don't have the original boxes, use the double-box
method. Fill the smaller of the two boxes
with Styrofoam peanuts, put the "bagged"
monitor or CPU in the middle, and fill the
box the rest of the way so the component sits
in the middle of the box without touching
the sides. Fit in cables and accessories,
close and seal that box, then fill the bottom
of the second box with peanuts, put the sealed
box in, and fill all around the rest of the
way with peanuts.
7. If you
have a small printer, you can pack it with
your CPU. Be sure to remove the printer cartridges.
If your printer uses pins to form-feed paper,
leave the paper in during the move to keep
the pins in place.
8. Mark each
box "Fragile - Computer." Now you're
finished!
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CDs
You'll need:
Tape
Plastic peanuts or blank newsprint
Small boxes
How to pack:
1. Pad the
bottom of the box with wadded-up blank newsprint
or Styrofoam peanuts.
2. Place a
stack of CDs in the middle of the box. If
your box is big enough and you don't have
a lot of CDs, put your entire CD holder in
the center, CDs and all. CDs can weigh a lot,
so you'll probably have to divide them into
several boxes.
3. Fill in
tightly all around and on top with peanuts
or wadded paper so the CDs won't jiggle.
4. Tape and
mark "CDs." You're all done!
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Collectibles
You'll need:
Tape
Small and medium boxes
Bubble wrap
Styrofoam peanuts or blank newsprint
How to pack:
1. Wrap each
fragile item separately with bubble wrap and
tape.
2. Put a layer
of peanuts or wadded paper on the bottom and
layer in wrapped items with peanuts or wadded
paper in between.
3. Put a final
layer of peanuts or wadded paper on top
4. Seal and
mark "Fragile - Collectibles." Now
you're done!
** If your
collectibles are really valuable, consider
moving them in your car or shipping them separately.
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Flammable
Items
You'll need:
To call your
local recycling pick-up provider, fire station,
or the nearest Environmental Protection Agency
office to learn how to properly dispose of
flammable and hazardous materials before you
move, such as paints, solvents, oil, and gas
from your grill.
How to pack:
DON'T!!!!!
It's dangerous
and illegal to pack and move flammable and
hazardous materials. If you have a small can
of turpentine or leftover paint, ask your
neighbors if they can use it. Otherwise, dispose
of it properly with assistance from your recycling
company or the EPA.
TIP: Many
towns have an annual "Hazardous Materials
Disposal Drop-Off Day" at a recycling
center or fire station. If you know you're
moving, plan ahead to dispose of materials
then.
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China
and Crystal
You'll need:
Tape
Small and medium boxes
Cardboard
Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap
Blank newsprint
Lots of patience
How to pack:
Plates
and bowls . . .
1. Layer bubble
wrap in between, leaving space at the top
of the box to fill in with wadded newsprint.
2. Place wadded
newsprint or peanuts in the bottom of a box
and put layers of plates or bowls on top.
Then fill in top and sides with peanuts or
newsprint.
3. Seal and
mark "Fragile - China." You're done!
Glasses
and teacups . . .
1. Wrap each
glass or teacup in a piece of bubble wrap
and tape it.
2. Put a layer
of peanuts or newsprint on the bottom of the
box. Place wrapped cups or glasses on top,
upright as if you were placing them on the
table.
3. Place a
layer of cardboard and another layer of packing
material on top and the sides.
4. Keep layering
in wrapped cups and peanuts until you've reached
the top. Put a final layer of packing material
on top, seal, and mark "Fragile - Crystal/China."
That's all!
TIP: Don't
use compartmentalized liquor boxes unless
the compartments are made of sturdy cardboard
and you put a layer of packing material on
the bottom first. (Usually the compartments
are too flimsy.) Glasses and cups should still
be wrapped in bubble wrap.
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Hippos
You'll need:
1,000-gallon
tank per hippo
1,000 gallons of water
Crane
1-pound sedative
Soothing hippo music
2 Aspirin (for you)
How to pack:
1. Fill your
tank with 800 gallons of water. Start yesterday.
Remember, a medium-sized hippo takes up at
least 200 gallons. (Just out of curiosity,
why do you have a hippo, anyway?)
2. Apply sedative.
Take two Aspirin.
3. Hold it,
hold it - put the hippo in the tank, first.
Start with soothing hippo music, followed
by a large winch and crane.
4. Now go
relax in a hot bath before the forklift arrives.
WAIVER: We
in no way advocate moving a hippo or any animal
without the express advice and consent of
your local vet or zoo keeper. If you'd like
advice from a veterinarian on moving with
pets click here .
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Kids'
Stuff
You'll need:
Lots of love
and time
Attention to feelings
Tape
Blank newsprint
Medium and large boxes
How to pack:
1. Pack kids'
rooms last if they are still small. The security
of their routine until the very end will make
the transition go more smoothly.
2. Give older
children (probably ages 5 and up) advance
time to pack their rooms with you. Packing
up is a good time to talk about things they
might be worried or feel sad about - leaving
friends, school, a home they've always lived
in, and facing a new school and strangers.
Understanding feelings and offering your reassurance
will ease the transition for them.
3. Allow them
to select some items to take with them in
the car or in their carry-on bag.
4. Most kids'
toys are somewhat non-breakable and can go
in boxes with some wadded newsprint or extra
clothes to fill in spaces.
5. Breakable
toys like models or porcelain dolls can be
wrapped in extra clothes and packed in wadded
newsprint.
6. While the
kids are packing, ask them to think about
where they'd like things to go in their new
rooms.
7. Make sure
you drain water from squirt guns and seal
paints and other safe but messy materials
in ziplock bags or containers. Pack them together
in a box lined with a plastic bag.
8. Have your
kids seal the boxes and write their names
or put their favorite stickers on each box.
Now you're done!
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Kitchen
Items -- Non-Breakable
You'll need:
Tape
Medium and large boxes
Your kitchen towels and linens
Blank newsprint
How to pack:
1. Select
a few pieces of essential cookware - a couple
of pots, a frying pan, some cooking spoons,
a spatula, and utensils for everyone - for
the first day you're in your new home.
2. Put blank
newsprint (or ripped-open paper bags) between
the items. Fill in spaces with wadded newsprint.
3. Seal and
mark "Kitchen." On the box you need
for cooking when you arrive, mark "Kitchen
- First Day." You're all done!
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Kitchen
Items - Breakable
You'll need:
Tape
Small and medium boxes
Bubble wrap
Peanuts or blank newsprint
How to pack:
1. Wrap each
glass and mug in bubble wrap and tape shut.
Put layers of bubble wrap in between plates
and bowls.
2. Fill bottom
of box with peanuts or wadded paper. Layer
in glasses and mugs with peanuts and paper,
or place stacks of layered plates and bowls
on top. If your glasses have stems, place
them upright, as if you were putting them
on the table. Fill in sides and top with peanuts
and wadded paper.
3. For larger
breakable items - Pyrex dishes, china serving
bowls, glass coffee pots - wrap in bubble
wrap and tape shut. Put two or three smaller
items or one larger item in the center of
a small box filled with peanuts. Make sure
you put a layer of peanuts or wadded paper
between smaller items.
4. Seal and
mark "Fragile - Kitchen." You're
all finished!
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Lamps
You'll need:
Tape
Medium or large boxes
Bubble wrap
How to pack:
1. Take lightbulbs,
harps, and lamp shades off lamp.
2. Wrap lamp
shades in bubble wrap and stack them in a
large box with wadded paper, or put them in
an armoire or large chest.
3. Wrap cord
around lamp and wrap lamp in bubble wrap.
Place in empty, defrosted refrigerator, unplugged
dryer, or drained, unplugged washer. Or put
them in boxes with wadded paper, seal, and
mark "Lamps." That's it!
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Lawn
Furniture
You'll need:
Tape
Large, flat boxes for any glass tabletops
Blank newsprint and bubble wrap for glass
tabletops
How to pack:
1. Packing
is easy if you have furniture with no breakable
parts. Hose down/clean off your furniture.
2. Disassemble
any parts. Tape them together, or put small
pieces in ziplock bags and tape to the furniture.
You're good to go!
3. If you
have glass tabletops, wrap them in bubble
wrap and put them in flat boxes used for mirrors
and artwork. Seal and mark boxes "Fragile
- Glass." Now you're done!
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Lawnmowers
and Lawn Tools
You'll need:
Tape
Storage containers for hazardous materials
How to pack:
1. Clean your
lawnmower underneath of all grass and debris
(use a hose). Clean other lawn tools and equipment.
2. Drain gas
and oil out of the lawnmower into storage
containers. Contact your local recycling company
or Environmental Protection Agency office
for information on disposing of the gas and
oil.
3. Tape or
tie handles of rakes, shovels, and other garden
tools.
4. Pack smaller
garden/lawn items in a box.
5. Drain your
garden hose down a hill, roll up, and put
in a box. Now you're done!
For tips on
safe disposal of hazardous materials, click
here.
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Stereo
Components
You'll need:
Tape
Plastic bags
Original boxes and foam forms
-or-
Double boxes
(one a size larger than the other)
Plastic peanuts
How to pack:
1. Make sure
all components are completely cooled off.
Use color-coded tape to mark where cables
and cords should go in the equipment when
you get to your new home.
2. Check your
CD player manual to see whether you need to
tighten screws that will keep internal components
from moving around.
3. If you
have a turntable, tape down the "platter"
the record sits on and tape the arm to the
arm rest. (Pack the plastic turntable cover
separately from the turntable, if it comes
off, it may screw down.)
4. Put all
components in individual plastic bags to keep
them from getting dirty during the move and
to keep peanuts out of the equipment.
5. Put components
in original boxes, or put them in double boxes.
The component goes in the smaller box filled
with peanuts, and the smaller box goes inside
the larger box, also filled with peanuts.
6. Don't bundle
components together in the boxes unless they're
small enough to be separated by peanuts.
7. Seal and
mark boxes "Fragile - Stereo/Audio Equipment."
That's it!
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TV
-- Big-Screen
You'll need:
Tape
Original packing boxes and foam forms
-or-
Large new
box and foam forms
How to pack:
1. Unplug
your big screen TV. Be sure to leave the cable
and cable box behind, since those belong to
the cable company.
2. Lay it
gently on its side and slide the foam forms
on either end. Then slide it into the box,
set it upright, seal it, and mark it "Big-Screen
TV."
3. If you
don't have the original box, you will still
need more than plastic peanuts. Companies
that sell packing materials probably have
dense Styrofoam blocks you can use. Gently
lay the TV on its side on top of a piece of
foam. Tape another piece of foam on the bottom
and slide the whole thing into the box. Fill
in all sides with foam, then seal and mark
"Big-Screen TV."
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TV/VCR
-- Less than 30"
You'll need:
Tape
Original packing boxes and foam forms
-or-
Large new
box and foam forms
How to pack:
1. Make sure
the TV is cooled off and you've left the cable
and cable box for the cable company (they
own those).
2. Do the
same for the VCR. Check your manual to make
sure there are no special moving preparations
you need to make to stabilize internal components.
3. Wrap up
the cord for the TV and VCR and put in the
original boxes. Or use foam forms you purchase
or peanuts. (Wrap your TV and VCR in a plastic
bag before immersing in peanuts so the peanuts
don't get inside the machines). Put the TV
and VCR in separate boxes.
4. Seal and
mark the boxes "Fragile - TV/VCR."
Now you're done!
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