There is so much more to moving than simply packing up and transporting your household belongings from one dwelling to another. A a successful move takes a great deal of planning and coordination and cause a lot of stress and anxiety for even the most organised person. When it comes to packing up your household contents, moving with children and choosing movers to assist you, there is much to take into consideration. Here are a few tips to make this seemingly monstrous task easier:
Tip 1: How to Pack Your Kitchen
The kitchen can be the most overwhelming part of the house to pack up. Fragile items such as plates and glasses need to be packed and larger appliances need to be put into boxes. Perishable foods and household chemicals need to be responsibly disposed of. It is important to start the packing process by making sure that you have the following supplies close at hand:
- Sturdy boxes in various sizes with flaps that can be completely closed
- Packing paper
- Small sealable bags
- Box tape for sealing the boxes
- Permanent markers for labelling the boxes
When you are packing breakable items, you should line the bottom of your boxes with crumpled packing paper. Remember to mark the outside of the box as “fragile” and also draw an arrow to indicate which side of the box should be facing upwards.
Dishes
Use several sheets of packing paper to wrap plates up individually by starting from one corner and wrapping the paper diagonally across the dish. Continually tuck in the overlapping edges of the paper. Start from the corner and wrap the paper diagonally across the dish. If you are wrapping more than one plate of the same size, then stack them in between each other with a layer of packaging paper in between each one. Once this is done you can then place the plates on their edges in a sturdy box and remember to put the heaviest item at the bottom of the box and build up in layers towards the top. For bowls and lids you should wrap a layer of paper around the bowl and then place the lid upside down in the bow. After this you can wrap the bowl and the lid together in a double layer of packing paper. When it comes to oddly shaped items such as vases and pitchers then be sure to wrap paper around their handles as added protection and then wrap the rest of the item in a double layer of packing paper.
Food Rules
- Do not take any perishable food items with you on your move.
- Take only food items that will travel well.
- Use box tape to seal any open boxes of dried or powdered food.
- Put liquids that can leak into sealable plastic bags.
How to Pack Small Appliances
Pack items like toasters and other small appliances individually and place them inside a box with crumpled up paper. Wrap pots, pans and other cookware in clean packing paper. Items such as clocks, small radios and other small appliances have to be packed with a lot of padding to ensure that their delicate electronic components are kept safe from damage. You can do this by using a paper pad to wrap small appliances. A paper pad is a multi-layered paper wrap that is used to protect larger fragile items. If there are any removable parts or accessories, then wrap them separately in paper and wrap the power cord with packing paper to prevent it from scratching the appliances.
- Wrap appliances in a paper pad and then tape the pad in place
- Line the bottom of the box with crumpled up paper.
- Fill in the gaps with crumpled up paper.
- Secure with box tape and then label with a permanent marker.
Tip 2: How to Pack Your Bedroom
Clothes
Reduce the chances of your clothes wrinkling by leaving them on their hangers and then packing them into clothing cartons. One carton should hold about two feet of compressed clothing on hangers. If you are not using a carton then a suitcase or box lined with packing paper will also work well.
Small Appliances
Wrap up smaller items such as clocks and radios individually and then pack them in a box cushioned with crumpled up paper.
Books & Photos
Pack all books with the spine down and the open side of the book facing up. Books are small but can often be quite heavy so try to pack them into smaller boxes for easier carrying. Photo frames can be protected by wrapping each one individually in packing paper or newspaper and standing them on their edges inside the box. Heirloom items should be carried with you if they are small enough.
Bedding and Linen
How to Pack Bedding before your Move
- Tackle bedding one room at a time using large boxes.
- Line the bottom of the boxes with newspaper.
- You can pack small pillows into drawers to save space.
- Fold packing paper over the top of the box so as to shield your bedding from the elements.
- Seal with box tape.
- Label the box according to the bedroom that it belongs to.
- Compress the bedding as much as possible as it can tend to take up quite a bit of space. You can even use vacuum storage bags.
Tip 3: How to Pack Drapes & Curtains
A great idea is to use wardrobe boxes to move curtains and drapery. Before your move clean and wash your drapes and then fold them lengthwise and place them over a padded hanger. Pin them securely so as to prevent wrinkling and then hang them on your wardrobe bar. Do not overfill the wardrobe box and do not place items in the bottom of the box. Tape up and label the box so that you remember which room the curtains and draping belong to. Another good idea is to iron and fold the drapes before packing them into boxes that are lined with packing paper.
Tip 4: How to Pack Rugs
Clean and vacuum your rugs prior to your move and should not be left on the floor for everyone to handle. Keep them rolled up and then wrap them in plastic while ensuring that the ends of the rug are protected.
- Roll the rug from the short end of the rug so that the back of the rug is on the outside.
- Use a paper pad to wrap the end of the rug.
- Now tape the paper pad to secure the rug and repeat on the other end.
Tip 5: How to Move Wine
Appraise your Wine
Have your collection appraised by a qualified professional and let your moving company know that you will be moving wine or other high value assets.
Do Your Research
Some alcoholic beverages are regulated differently from Province-by-Province so make sure to check with the alcohol control authorities at your destination before you move. Some provinces have restrictions governing the types and amount of alcohol that can be brought in for personal use.
When Packing and Unpacking your Wine
Corked wines should be placed on their sides or upside down in the packing container to keep the corks wet. Wrap all the bottles individually and insulate the box to ensure that your wines travel undisturbed.
Use extreme caution when moving your wines as bottle shock may occur from the wine shaking within the bottle during transit and if opened will result in a loss of flavour. To prevent this it is good to make sure that you allow your bottles to rest at their destination for at least seven days after being moved.
Tip 6: Moving with Kids
When you and your family are planning to relocate a positive parental attitude will go a long way toward soothing fears and numbing anxiety for your children. Endeavour to prepare them in advance for the move and give them ample time to adjust to the idea. Encourage the children to participate in the process and also choose a good moving company to help you with the moving process so as to minimise the responsibilities and continue to focus on your children and their needs. Take advantage of the situation and try to make it as exciting as possible for the whole family.
Checklist for traveling with babies and children:
- Suitable clothing
- Diaper or utility bag with disposable diapers
- Blankets
- Baby food, formula, fruit juice, water and a cap opener
- Toys
- Toiletries likes powder, lotion, oil and cotton balls
- Safety-approved car seat
- First-aid
- Collapsible stroller
Tip 7: Hire Professional Movers
A reputable moving company will be able to offer solutions to many of the challenges that may evolve around the moving process and are partly responsible for everything from the pre-moving stage until the settling-in stage. A professional moving company can make all the difference in your moving experience.
Benefits of Hiring Professional Movers
Time Saving
Low Stress
Packing Services
Helps you to Focus on your own tasks
Allows You to Focus on Family
Cost Effective
Customizable Services
Move Coordination
Peace of Mind
Safety by Experience
Professional Inventory Services
Expertise in Long Distance Moves
Add-On Service Packages
Qualified Drivers and Equipment
Advanced Technology
Seamless Move Experience
BW movers are committed to give you the best moving experience at affordable prices. Our handpicked team of packers and movers are trained to make the moving process smoother, faster and stress free. We will pack, carry, transport and offload your belongings while exceeding industry standards with our friendliness and professionalism.
Put BW Movers to the test and experience a move that makes you smile.
We Are the Moving Expertise You Can Rely On.
