Moving House Old Style

rosie383

That's probably top of my priority list!! As long as I can have a cup of coffee I'm happy. I'm even drinking the 47p/100g stuff from asda. It's not bad if you're not too fussy! Even my friends have had it and been none the wiser. Mind you, I had a cup of non-economy coffee the other day and it was so good after drinking really cheap stuff for months.

stellata

Get the following;
A good shredder (not cross cut, just the sort that makes strips)
Lots of boxes
A tape gun and brown tape
A big fat sharpie
All the paperwork youve been meaning to get rid of before the move

Shred the paper
Use the shrwddings to layer and pack round stuff in boxes. Its easier and quicker than wrapping.
List contents of each box in a notebook
Tape and label boxes with numbers
Make a spreadsheet of box numbers and contents from your notebook.

Now you can search for any item on your ss, find the box its in and unpack what you need when you get theere.

Works for me every time.

Lilyplonk

Brilliant suggestions :T.

Do not make the mistake of packing all large books together into LARGE BOXES - they become impossible to lift once packed .

Better to put one or two into the bottom of a box that's going to contain 'lightweight stuff on top of them .

Tea/coffee/milk/sugar/biscuits/cakes - LAST out of the old place and FIRST into the new one :j!!!!!

Would you be able to have somebody at the 'new place' waiting in advance in case any cleaning is needed before you start to shift stuff in? Even when I moved into a new-build property, it needed a 'quick going over' BEFORE my furniture arrived .

Callie22

If you have a lot of crockery (like I do ...) then buy some paper plates and paper bowls. When you're packing your plates (or bowls) put a paper one in between. It stops them rattling about and means you can then just wrap them in paper as a set rather than having to wrap each one individually. I also find it handy to do a box of kitchen 'essentials' - two plates, two bowls, two mugs, two glasses, two sets of cutlery, a pan, cheese grater, a sharp knife (carefully wrapped!), a baking tray, a baking dish etc. That way I can cook a basic meal fairly quickly without having to unpack loads of boxes. I also pack an overnight bag of toiletries and clothes so that I know I've got something to sleep in and something to wear the next day.

When I move, my bed is one of the first things that I set up. That way I know I've got somewhere comfy to go at the end of a long day! I also put fresh sheets on the bed just before I pack it - I change the duvet and pillows and then roll them up together with a clean flat sheet before putting them in a (clean) bin bag. It means that I do end up moving a bag of dirty washing but once the bed's set up I can just unroll the fresh set and in just a few minutes I've got a clean, fresh bed to get into.

I also always have a box of cleaning stuff handy, with all of the basic stuff, cloths, goo-gone, magic erasers etc. In that I make sure I put other things that I always need - scissors, tape, pen and paper, a hammer, a few nails - just so that they're all in one place when I need them.

I agree about labeling boxes too. Make sure that there's a label on every box or item of furniture saying exactly where it needs to go. That way people can just get on with putting stuff in the right places without hassling me with a million questions. I tend to label boxes with their room, and a number and basic description. I have a notebook where I put a more detailed description against the number so that if I need something, I can check exactly which box it's in. It saves me unpacking boxes that don't need to be unpacked early. Also, I put stuff that should be together, together in a box when I'm packing. For example, we have a DVD shelf with small shelves on it. The shelves and all of the screws etc go in the box with the DVDs. So, when I want to unpack the DVDs I know that all the stuff for the shelves will be there too and I can get on with it instead of hunting round for all of the bits.

And finally - I make sure that put anything really important (like documents, important medication) in my handbag or overnight bag and that I put it somewhere safe as soon as I get to the new place.

Bigjenny

Along with tea, coffee etc would suggest toilet roll, tea towel, hand towel, and perhaps washing up liquid, perhaps packed in a washing up bowl. Don't forget mugs.

rosie383

Absolutely invaluable tips there. Thank you all.so much. Been upstairs packing. The bathroom isn't going to need any air freshener for weeks! I managed to drop a glass bottle of aftershave so both I and the bathroom are fragrant to say the least! Pity it wasnt a nice smelling one! But at least I won't miss it.
I love so many of the ideas. Keep them coming please. I think i will keep at it all day then tonight sit down with paper and pen and write a list of tips in one place. And get myself to poundland tomorrow for paper plates, pens and labels etc.

Pink.

There is an earlier thread with even more tips:


Moving House Old Style


I'll add your thread to that one later to keep the suggestions together. Good luck with the move.


Pink

rosie383

Aw bless you pink.
I just asked my neighbour for plastic bags and she told me she has loads of boxesnin work!! Yay! And she gave me an armful of bags too.

FairyPrincessk

I tend to number boxes as I pack them--so things I use less often or that aren't 'necesary' like photographs etc. will get packed first and will have the lowest numbers. I keep a list of the box number and what is in it. The last few boxes packed (highest numbers) will have cleaning supplies, towels, a shower curtain/rings (if needed at new house), basic kitchen/tea making supplies, snacks, water, first aid kit, scissors and or knife for opening sealed boxes, bin liners, markers/pens, notebook with important details (phone numbers etc), basic tools and the like.

Boxes with the highest numbers get unpacked first. This also means that boxes with the lowest numbers will contain things like pictures that I won't be ready to unpack until the other stuff is put away.

Spare blankets, cushions and curtains make excellent fillers for a box that has been partly loaded with heavier items like books. To pack the clothes in a wardrobe, either save dry cleaning bags if you get them, or cut a hold in the bottom of a bin liner. Slip the hangers through for a handful and then tie the hangers together. If possible, tie or draw up the bin bag at the bottom.

rosie383

I like the idea of the clothes on hangers in a bag.
One of the issues too is that we are not sure if we will be moving to a new house, moving to a rented place for prob 6 months while we find a house to buy, or even finding a hotel or something for a couple of weeks! We have sold our house but had to pull out of the one we were buying at the last minute. So even more reason to prioritise packing useful stuff. Off to the park for a bit brfore I come home and start shredding!