Though packing is an interim exercise happening in the middle of moving and has to be undone in a few days or weeks, it takes a lot of planning to allow this to happen without stress or hassle. Planning also minimizes the chance of misplacing items, no matter how important they are for the home. Here are some basic principles that are behind a properly planned packing program:
◾To ensure minimal damage, breakage or pilferage to your goods.
◾To ensure easy access of the items needed on priority once you reach destination.
◾To ensure easy identification of the goods, according to family members or rooms where they should be unpacked.
So if you follow the above general principles, which items do you think would be needed first when you reach your destination? They are items belonging to the toilet, kitchen and bedrooms, obviously though may not be in the same order. Here are some general tips to pack your goods well which could make a world of difference to relocation:
◾For ease of identification, which is the best place to keep the bed linen and towels? Either in designated boxes or in the dresser drawers from where they could easily be taken out. Keep a dryer sheet in the box to prevent any foul odor. In fact, it is a good idea to get all these items washed before you pack them, so that you can access fresh items when you reach your destination.
◾The best way to pack valuable items is to make a list of the brand as well as model and serial numbers and keep the list somewhere safe. Some people even go a step beyond and take pictures of their valuables before packing. This way, the job of filing for insurance claims, in case of damage or breakage becomes simpler.
◾After the moving boxes have been taped and sealed. Sign your name across the tape. This ensures safety and security of your items and chances are that they would not be tampered with during the journey.
◾Room-wise packing always makes the task of unpacking easier. Using of colored stickers or tapes also provides an easy identification mark. For instance, blue stickers for boxes containing bed room items, etc. This way you know immediately which box goes where.
◾Rare and valuable pictures should be taken off their frames. While the frames should be carefully packed (there are frame boxes available) and put in the truck, the pictures, ideally, should be carried by your when you relocate personally.
◾Expensive silver ware can be protected during transit, if you take one item at a time and put them in zipped packets. This ensures that you do not have to clean them again when you do up your new home. Chances are that they would also not be mishandled during transit, if you pack them like this.
◾Socks and undergarments make excellent fillers. They ought to put in plastic bags and used as stiffing inside boxes for that extra cushioning effect.
◾Every home has some important documents and papers which should never be put in any moving box or handed over to the moving company representative. They should be carried on your person. These documents include: vaccination or medical records; ID cards; passport and social security number cards, etc.
Now do you see the importance of planning before packing? But following the tips given above, you might learn to pack like a pro!