Any tips for packing?

Sedge123

Just wondered if anyone had any hints and tips for packing up the house?

We are moving in with relatives for a few weeks so the usual keep the kettle out doesn't really apply. I've started a few boxes of things I know we won't need until we move but wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom about do's and dont'ts.
Thanks

getmore4less

Make sure you label and inventory everything.

Room by Room for final destination.

Stackable, make sure the boxes are stackable and strong enough to stack high.

Storage foot print is smaller the higher you go

Do not overload, keep the weight sensible, but fill if you can, make them stronger. use extra packing material.

As the family move it temp, sort into, won't need, might need and will need.

Sort out and declutter, anything that is in the never/might need for the temp or final move consider if you need it at all.

Start packing early get stuff packed up and think about what you don't miss, at the other end unpack slowly as you need things, you might find more stuff to declutter.

You still need the moving day box with the kettle etc. for the second move.

If moving from a place with a loft to a place with a loft seriously consider what goes up there next time.

bouicca21

Pay the removers to do it for you.

Sedge123

bouicca21 wrote: »

Pay the removers to do it for you.

We are not having movers as the cost for removal out, storage and then removal back in was ridiculous. If it was a move out and in on the same day then we would have definitely had them and paid for packing.

LandyAndy

What are you doing with your furniture?

Sedge123

LandyAndy wrote: »

What are you doing with your furniture?

Self storage. We can move it gradually over a week or so, the cost benefits far outweigh the extra work.

LandyAndy

Sedge123 wrote: »

Self storage. We can move it gradually over a week or so, the cost benefits far outweigh the extra work.

Ah! In that case my advice would be don't underestimate how long it takes to pack things and don't underestimate how heavy and awkward furniture can be to move.

rosie383

Get yourself down to Lidl and ask for their fruit and veg boxes. They are all a similar size (well, two sizes, large and smaller), have carrying handles and are sturdy and stackable.
Even if you fill one with books, it is still easy to lift and the bottom won't fall out.
I had been collecting up cardboard boxes but after the advice from someone about these boxes, I took everything out of the boxes and repacked in those.
Don't waste wheeled suitcases for light articles such as clothing. Save them for documents, toiletries etc.
In the wardrobes put a tie top bin bag over several articles of hanging clothing from the bottom up and tie up at the top around the hangers. Use elastic bands or even a piece of cloth to tie the hangers together. Once you have moved, hang in the wardrobe and untie the bag. No wasted bag, saves time.
As others are saying, seriously look at what you are taking with you. I have had a long time to prepare and have properly got rid of unnecessary stuff. Almost everything in the loft has gone. No point in making the effort to pack it all, take it to the new house and put it back in the loft for another 10 years. Apart from furniture, I would estimate that I have got rid of between half and a third of our things. Mostly donated, ebayed and some off to the tip.

TBagpuss

I agree with the advice to declutter as you go.

And label - particualrly as you won't be unpacking straight away.

Keep a note book and write down what is going into which boxes, and label the boxes - as a minimum with a number (use the numbers in your note book) If you can, also label and colour code by room. Put the number and room/colour on ALL SIDES and on the top of the box. That way you can see what is where even when the boxes are stacked up.

Think about what you are likely to need early on
* one 'immediate' box with kettle, mugs, coffee/teabags, biscuits, loo roll, cleaning products
* a 'first night' box or bag - bedclothes, towels, pyjamas, change of clothes, cleaning products
* have some basic crockery and cutlery somewhere obvious and easily accessible.
* think about lining boxes with bin-bags, especially if stuff is going to be stored for a while
* think about weight.
* measure your furniture as you pack it up. That way you can work out what will fit where even when the actual furniture is in storage and not readily acecssible for measuring.

Lord_Baltimore

Another source of sturdy boxes is MacDonalds. Free and a good size for trinkets although the best place for clutter is the tip

D_M_E

Go along to your local street market at the end of the day and collect the bags the stallholders throw out which are full of empty plastic bags and use them for padding. Also ask department stores if they have any which they can let you have.


As others have said, use fruit boxes - the ones which have had oranges or apples are the best, reasonable size and not too heavy when filled with things such as books and they stack well.


Also consider using vacuum storage bags for clothing and bedding, but don't overfill them as, if you do, they get heavy and some of them will split - fill them up then, once the air has been sucked out, lay them in the sort of boxes in which bananas are usually packed - they are then easy to handle and stackable.


Furniture - flatten out cardboard boxes and upend things like sofas and stand them on the cardboard - this way they will take up less storage space.


Tables - some of these have the top bolted or screwed to the base or legs so, if possible, disassemble them to save storage space and make them easier to handle but only do this if it can be done without damage.


Boxes - one more tip: fill up any empty space with small objects - yes, I know this means a bit of a mixup but you could save yourself having to move an extra 20 or more boxes which might arise by just boxing up room by room.


Documents - keep handy things like driving licence, passport, insurance and car documents, and don't pack your keys - I've known some people pack their keys and have to go through loads of boxes to find them........