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 There
are so many things to think about when moving!
Here's a comprehensive packing guide to help you stay on
track
How To Pack
Small Appliances ?
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:
- 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.)
- Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped,
and then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint
(wadded up, not shredded) or your towels and sheets.
- Put the appliances in and pad them well all around
with packing material.
- Then put another layer of packing materials on top,
seal the box, and mark it "Kitchen Appliances."
Now you're good to go!
How To Pack Large Appliances
We're talking washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners,
and 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
Washing Machine
Do your laundry a couple of days before you're ready
to move.
Do your best to drain all the water out of the washer.
If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways
to empty out any remaining water. Then dry the interior
completely with a towel.
Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in a plastic
bag.
Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the tub
to keep the tub from rotating.
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.
Tape the lid and electrical cord down, then tie a large pad
around the outside.
Now you're done!
Dryer
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.
Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door down.
Tie a large pad around the outside of the dryer.
You're done!
Refrigerator
One day before moving, empty out the
contents of your refrigerator and allow it to defrost. (Eat
what you can, then give the rest away to neighbors - never
transport perishable food.)
Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and drain
out your automatic icemaker.
Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves.
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.
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.
Tie a large pad around it.
That's it!
Stove
Clean the oven and stovetop.
Place all the oven racks on the bottom rung and tape
them down.
Tape down the burners and the protective pans under each
burner.
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!
Dishwasher
Remove all dishes and tape down the racks and silverware
basket.
See your manual for removing and draining the water hook-up.
Close and lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape the
hose and cord to the dishwasher.
Tie a large pad around it.
That's all!
Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner's in use, shut if off the day
before so the coils can dry and cool off.
Remove and clean or replace the filter.
Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not
the back, where the coils are).
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.)
If you don't have a box, tie two large pads around it to
protect the coils.
That's it!
How To Pack China & Crystal?
You'll need:
- Tape
- Small and medium boxes
- Cardboard
- Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap
- Blank newsprint
- Lots of patience
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.
Plates and Bowls
- Use dish barrel cartons and place all plates on edge
in the containers.
- Layer bubble wrap in between, leaving space at the
top of the box to fill in with wadded newsprint.
- Place wadded newsprint or peanuts in the bottom
of a box and put layers of plates or bowls on top.
- Fill in top and sides with peanuts or newsprint.
- Seal and mark "Fragile - China."
You're done!
Glasses and Teacups
- Wrap each glass or teacup in a piece of bubble wrap
and tape it.
- 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.
- Place a layer of cardboard and another layer of
packing material on top and the sides.
- 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!
How To Pack Artwork & 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
Framed Prints
- Wrap them individually in newsprint and then tape
cardboard around them. Or wrap them in bubble wrap.
- Put them in flat fitted boxes. If they still fit
loosely in their individual boxes, fill in the spaces
with lightly wadded blank newsprint.
- Tape the box shut and mark it.
You're done!
Mirrors
- Put tape across the front of the mirror like an "X" to
keep the pieces in place in case the glass breaks.
- Wrap in bubble wrap or blank newsprint with cardboard
taped around them. Fill loose spaces with lightly
wadded paper
- Put in a flat box, seal, and mark "Fragile - Mirror."
That's
all!
Original Paintings
- If your painting is framed with glass, tape the front
like an "X" with
masking tape.
- Cover the framed painting or canvas with bubble wrap
and tape it closed.
- 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.
- Tape the box well and mark "Fragile - Art."
All done now!
Sculptures
- You'll need a box at least one-third larger than
the size of your sculpture and bubble wrap.
- Fill one-third of the box with Styrofoam peanuts.
Wrap the sculpture with bubble wrap, put it in upright,
and 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.
- Tape the box and mark "Fragile - Artwork" clearly
on the outside.
That's it!
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PACKING
GUIDE 
