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Packing Dos & Don'ts
- Do have all packing completed by the day before the load day. Only the things you’ll need for the final night and the next morning should be left for the last-minute.
- Don’t use newspapers. Ink easily transfers to items wrapped in newspapers.
- Don’t cross-fold the box flaps. Fold opposite flaps together, starting with the short side. Tape lengthwise along the bottom seam, extending the tape up the sides of the box.
- Don’t use masking tape. Use wide tape specifically made for sealing boxes.
- Do use smaller boxes for heavier items, such as books and canned goods, and progressively larger boxes for lighter items. Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box.
- Do protect fragile items by wrapping them carefully in newsprint or bubble wrap and placing them in a cushion of crumpled newsprint or peanuts.
- Do label each box with your last name, destination room, and contents. Use a broad marker to identify boxes as “Fragile”, “Do Not Load”, or “Load Last”.
- Do pack a special “Open First” box containing essential items for the first day in your new home.
- Do fill boxes to the top so they won’t be crushed. Finish with a layer of cushioning, and seal the top with packing tape.
- Don’t pack things from different parts of the house into the same box. Pack one room at a time, keeping similar items together.
- Do leave clothing in dresser drawers. Empty drawers of anything that is valuable, breakable or could spill.
- Do place hardware from disassembled furniture into a Ziploc plastic bag and tape inside the drawer.
- Do begin your packing with out-of-season and infrequently used items.
- Do check over boxes from the garage, attic and storage space. If they are not securely packed, carefully re-pack them.
- Don’t pack dangerous, flammable or illegal items.