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BIO ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vivian Cragg is a veteran at moving. She has been left behind by her husband 18 times to move their house while her husband starts his new job. She has used both professional moving companies and done it herself with the help of day laborers. This article is part of the information she learned during the last 30 years of following her husband and taking care of their move.

Moving Boxes / Cardboard Boxes

Before you get started you will need to decide whether you want to pack your own items or have a moving company take care of packing your home items.

Use the Right Moving Supplies

Make sure you have the right supplies. Purchase cardbpard boxes that will handle your fragile items all the way to sturdy boxes for your heavier items. Try to keep you moving boxes at no more than 50 lbs. each. The heavier items will be easier to handle in smaller boxes. The large boxes may contain linen, towels, pillows, etc.

Start With One Room at a Time

Start with one room at a time. Label each box (kitchen, bedroom, etc.) with details as to its contents. Place a number on each box so you will know you have the same amount of boxes that come off the moving van. Color-coding your boxes is a great help as well. You can put together a detailed checklist of each box indicating the contents; however, it is much easier to note that information on the box. Once they get to your new home, you will already have noted which room you want them to go into.

Lets Begin

It’s a good idea to remove items on your furniture that might fall off and place them in a container. Items such as mirrors, art work, etc. should have all the hardware to re-hang taped on the backside of each item. You could also just keep all these items together. This way you will not have to try and locate them later. Be sure to wind all electrical wires up and tape them to the side of the unit.

Packing

When you begin to pack be sure to place a lot of crushed paper on the bottom of the box before you start loading items. Newspaper should only be used as padding not as packing materials. It may get on your items and ruin them. Wrap your items separately (clean paper or bubble wrap), this will

Bubble wrap

insure their safety. Be sure to place heavier items on the bottom of the box and then lighter items on top. Place the plates and saucers on their edge then place the cups and bowls around them. Be sure to mark the boxes FRAGILE with a marking pen or with Fragile stickers that you can get at the stationary store. Remember to pack like items together. Don’t put your fragile items with your heavy pots and pans. Flammable items would be best left behind. If you need them place them separately and mark the box clearly.

If you have children make sure you keep their toys out until the last minute. If you want them, you may request that they are packed last so they will be the first item out of the moving truck.

Moving Supplies

Using the right packing supplies will make your life much easier. Use sturdy boxes and good packing tape / shipping tape. Masking, duct, electric tapes are not sticky enough and will not hold well. Stick to the good stuff. It will also save you a lot of agrevation by using a packing tape dispenser. Many moving companies will supply free moving boxes.

Selecting the right moving boxes

Using the right type of boxes will ensure that your items will arrive with little or no damage. Moving boxes come in many sizes, shapes, and weight. Pick them according to your item requirements. You can find box companies that will ship directly to your home. If you use a moving company, they usually supply free boxes for moving as well.

Small moving boxes (1.5 cubic feet) are normally used for books and small fragile items. Medium moving boxes (3.0 cubic feet) are a good multi-purpose size box. Use for clothes and medium kitchen items. Larger moving boxes (4.5 cubic feet) can be used for large kitchen items, games, table lamps, etc. Each of these boxes is able to carry 65 lbs. However, you should try to keep your boxes at 50 lbs. It makes them safer and easier to move.

Specialty boxes are available. Dish packs, wardrobe, mattress, mirror, art boxes and many other special sizes. Many movers will make crates for your artwork and mirrors as well.
A few points to remember about moving boxes:

• When you're purchasing moving boxes, remember that boxes made from corrugated cardboard will be stronger than regular boxes and are better at handling heavier and delicate items.
• Don’t forget to order enough moving boxes to complete your move. It is also a good idea to plan on what sizes you will need.  It is a costly and time consuming mistake to have too little box space, or too much.
• Often people go for the least expensive tape not realizing how important tape is to holding your boxes, and your belongings, together. DO NOT SKIMP ON YOUR CHOICE OF TAPE!  
• It is also critical to use bubble wrap and packing peanuts. They will save you a headache at the other end of your trip by cushioning your valuables.
• Moving companies will not take responsibility for breakage in boxes that they did not pack.
• Here are some more packing tips.

Moving Blankets
and Furniture Pads

Moving blankets are great for protecting your large furniture items from scuffs and scratches. They are very thick blankets that absorb the extra shock put upon your furniture while they are packed in the moving truck. They normally come in 3 sizes; Economy (15 oz), Standard (36 oz.) and Deluxe (38 oz.).