So, you have already decided on the date of the move, and it is getting closer every day. Even if you have hired best movers Calgary to help you, you might want to save some money and pack things yourself. Unless there are appliances difficult to move on your own or fragile things you are unsure of getting around, it is manageable to pack your household in advance with the help of your family. It will also help you to unpack them faster in a new place.
Few rules to go:
- label each box – what’s in it and which room it will go to;
- items that are not needed are packed first;
- bulky things and books go into suitcases if you have some;
- the kitchen is packed last and unpacked first.
- It doesn’t sound very difficult. Let’s dwell on each room in detail, so as not to forget anything.
Kitchen
Packing things in the kitchen seems like a challenge on its own, but there are some rules worth following. You can start packing your kitchen from any cabinet.
Stack pots, pans, and baking dishes inside each other, line wrapping paper between them. Plates need to be stacked on top of each other with the wrapping paper between them, and don’t forget to add the wrapping for fragile plates and bowls. Make sure your knives are wrapped in paper towels and then in plastic film; secure with a rubber band and never place them with the cutting surface up. The rest of the cutlery can simply be wrapped in film and put into one box.
It would be best to use the original boxes for your appliances. It doesn’t matter if you got rid of them: put the smallest appliances as tightly as possible in a separate box, and pack them with paper and bubbling wrap to make sure they won’t move inside the box. Disconnect large appliances from the electricity and water supply, make sure that their doors are tightly closed.
Defrost your fridge a day or two before you move and wipe away the excessive liquid. Excess food can be donated to charity, spoiled food will have to be thrown away. The rest of the food should be wrapped tightly and placed in a cooler. Spices should be packed in advance in a separate box, and make sure that all containers are covered with plastic film and nothing spills out.
Bathroom
First, make a list of everything you have in the bathroom. Then it is time to purge: expired liquids, cosmetics and broken appliances, also things that weren’t used for years. Try to use up hazardous chemicals before you move, or at least make sure you dispose of them properly. Unopened shampoos, cosmetics, unneeded accessories, everything that you haven’t used or are bored of can be distributed to neighbors, friends and relatives – it may turn out to be cheaper to buy new things in a new place than to pack and transport them from here. Also remember to save some cleaning supplies for the day before the move, as you will need to clean the house.
For those things that you decided to move, first wrap the cape with a plastic film and only then wrap the bottles up – that way you can be sure that nothing will spill out. It is worth putting cotton pads in boxes with cosmetics so that nothing crumbles during transportation. Lay out fragile items with cleaning cloths and towels, and you can also put curtains and bath mats on top of the boxes to keep everything tightly packed and move less.
Organize important items – medicines, toiletries, everyday shampoo etc – separately for each family member in a small bag that is easy to use.
Child room and bedroom
The first rule remains the same as for other rooms: make a list of all things and get rid of everything unnecessary or broken, or things that don’t spark joy in you.
Children’s toys, photo frames, paintings, and decor items are packed first. Some of the toys can be used as box filler. Put the books in sturdy boxes. Make sure that the lamps are carefully packed and will not get broken or damaged during the move.
Wash and dry your clothes before moving. Part of the clothes can be left in the drawers, just wrap them in plastic so that nothing moves during transportation. Fold and pack things from hangers separately. Hats and shoes are best placed in the boxes you bought them in, or put as tightly as possible into separate boxes.
Pack mattresses, blankets, pillows, use something as a cover for them, just in case. Dismantle any furniture you can and put all of its cogs and furniture in labeled packages. The same applies to beds.
You can create a to-do list based on these tips to make it much easier to pack for your move and enjoy resting at your new place sooner.