Things You'll Need:
- boxes
- marker
- tape
- paper
- old newspapers
- paper towels
- paper plates
- grocery bags
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Step 1
Go to your local stores and ask for their unused boxes. These stores are going to just throw the unpacked boxes away, so they are happy to give them away! Go to 2 or 3 different stores (grocery, drugstore, gift shop)~ this way you will have several different sizes of boxes.
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Step 2
Start packing everything that you will not need right away. Start in one room and mark the box on all sides and the top of the box what room it will go into for the new home/apartment/etc. This way, while the boxes are stacked on top of each other, you will be able to read where it goes without having to move everything on top and around it!
Underneath the name of the room it belongs in, mark what it contains (towels, toys, pictures)
Make sure to mark FRAGILE on every box (on all 4 sides and the top)of anything breakable. -
Step 3
There is no need to go out and buy packing paper. You can use newspaper, plastic bags, wrapping paper, etc.
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Step 4
When packing your dishes. Place a paper plate in between each dish, this will prevent them from breaking. Then wrap very well in newspaper/wrapping paper. Then tape newspaper so it doesn't come unwrapped.
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Step 5
If your new place has a garage. Place all boxes in the garage so you can take one box at a time into the room it goes to and unpack before bringing in another box. This will create less chaos and you won't have to trip over boxes laying all over the place. This also makes it feel like you are actually accomplishing something. Also, you may find that you don't need half of the stuff you have packed and then may want to get rid of it.
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Step 6
Make sure to mark all boxes containing items you will need immediately (mark with a star, large N for need or whatever you choose). This way they do not end up in the back of the garage underneath a stack of boxes. Items you will want right away...paper towels, toilet paper, towels, clothes needed for work, children's school bookbag, lunchbox and clothes, cleaning supplies, paper, phone, alarm clock, shampoos and soaps, children's favorite toys/bears/blankies.
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Step 7
If you are storing your items for a period of time. Make sure to seal the boxes very well. Seal them on all sides of the top and bottom of the boxes, this way bugs will not get into the boxes.
Comments
kaldrich88 said
on 7/20/2009 I'm moving next weekend so I found this article just in time. Thanks for the tips!
EarthMother said
on 7/7/2009 How to Pack for an Easy Move is full of good tips that my mother used for her recent move. Smile!
nicoyle said
on 7/6/2009 This is something that I did for each place that my family had to move to. It keeps everything organized and easier to unpack. I would know as I would be the main one to pack and unpack thing. LOL.