Moving from one home to another is a daunting task but challenging it room by room can make the process go easier and more efficient! Here is a quick guide to help you pack up some packing process for some of your home’s most essential rooms!
Don’t Forget the Bathrooms
Before you even touch the moving boxes, it’s important that you declutter the bathroom area. Any toiletries and medications that are dried out or expired should be thrown away. Any hollow items, like makeup, should be stuffed with cotton to protect them from shattering and hair appliances should be wrapped protectively to prevent them from breaking.
Once you take out all your essentials for your essentials bag (ex. Hair brush, soap, shampoo and conditioner, etc.) place all items that can possibly leak inside of a plastic bag before placing in a box, it’s important to remember that aerosol spray cans can’t be put in a moving truck! Any towels that weren’t used for layers of protection can simply be folded and packed for their relocation.
The Kitchen Can Be the Hardest Room to Pack
This can be one of the hardest rooms to tackle during the moving process since it’s full of fragile items and odd-shaped, bulky appliances. Dishes, cups, bowls, and glasses should all be individually wrapped and packed tightly in cushioned boxes. Put bowls inside one another and place cups and glasses upside down handles facing the same direction. If adding layers, ensure a protective layer is put in between items and stuff glasses with crumpled paper for extra protection. If packing expensive and delicate dishes and plates investing in specialized dish boxes and cell dividers can help protect for a smooth move. Remember to write “fragile” and “this side up” on all boxes!
For pots and pans ensure you cushion your box before placing them in there. Put the biggest pan on the bottom and continue to nest them in one another, with layers of protection in between. Any lids should be separately wrapped and put into boxes. Silverware and cutlery should be sorted and wrapped in sets with it’s kind. Bubble wrap and tape these together and place in boxes. All other utensils should be wrapped individually. Knives should be wrapped in thick towels or cushions before being wrapped in layers of protective wrap.
Once your kitchen appliances are completely cleaned and dried, any detachable pieces should be removed and separately wrapped before packing small appliances into boxes, remember to fill and gaps with protective materials to prevent damage. For larger appliances, secure doors so they cannot open during relocation and tape any loose hoses, cords, and cables to the items. The whole appliance should then be wrapped in protective material to ensure a safe move.
Packing Up Your Living Room
For many homes, this is the largest area of the home, and it can house some expensive equipment. When moving your television, it’s crucial to secure any cables and wires and place any detachable pieces in a labeled plastic bag. Protect your TV screen with a clean piece of cardboard before wrapping it cautiously with protective material, like a blanket, and securing it with tape. Place the wrapped television in an appropriate size, well-padded box for a safe relocation. Any stereo equipment should be carefully wrapped and placed in boxes with a lot of cushion.
Lamps should have the light bulbs and lampshades removed with any wires wrapped around the base. Lampshades need to be covered in protective materials and can be placed carefully into moving boxes. Any photographs or paintings should be “X-ed” with painters’ tape to prevent shattering and wrapped in packing paper as tightly as possible.
Any upholstered furniture should have any covers and cushions removed and wrapped for protection, coffee and end tables should have their legs securely wrapped and rugs should be rolled up, secured with ties and covered in plastic wrap.
Save the Bedrooms for Last
For many, this is one of the last rooms to be tackled in the moving process, since you have to sleep on something until you’re in your new home. The biggest obstacle in this room is usually the bedding and the larger furniture like the bed frame and dresser. Putting all your linens, sheets, and blankets into a waterproof container can ensure their protection and keep them clean. Any other extra items such as decorative pillows and throw blankets can be used to add protective layers to other fragile household items. Disassembling large furniture and then correctly protecting it is the easiest way to make sure nothing is damaged. Having a furniture blanket, furniture pads, and a mattress bag can be beneficial to add that extra layer of protection.
When packing up your closet, this is a great time to declutter! Get rid of any clothing you no longer wear or need by maybe selling or donating things that are still in good condition and throwing away things that are of no use. Once your belongings are separated simply fold clothing and place into boxes or invest in wardrobe boxes with hanging bars for business attire. Shoes should be stuffed with crumpled paper to help keep its shape, and empty space in between should be filled with protective materials to prevent scratching from contact with other shoes. To prepare any empty bedroom furniture for relocation all detachable pieces, such as drawers and shelves, should be removed to prevent damage.
Don’t let moving overwhelm you, let Capital Movers help! We have trained professionals available for help with packing and labor for your residential moving needs to help make it as seamless as possible!