[tab_title]Living Room[/tab_title]

[tab_content]

As we tend to spend most of our time in the living room, packing its contents can be a stressful and time consuming task depending on the amount of books, cd’s , ornaments and other furniture you have to pack.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

[/tab_content]

[tab_title]Kitchen[/tab_title]

[tab_content]

When it comes to packing the kitchen it can be difficult to know where to start. With all of the cupboards, draws and pantries it can seem like a daunting task.

Essentials box

Put aside the things you’ll need for your last two days in your current home and for the first two days in your new home, including dishes, cutlery, food items, appliances (coffee maker/toaster), dishtowel, dishcloth, cleaner, soap, etc.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Draws / Shelves 

Start with the messiest drawer. Get rid of extra items or items you no longer use. Rule of thumb: if you haven’t used it in the last 6 months, don’t move it. Pack the cutlery drawer, keeping only one set per family member. These sets will be kept in your essentials box

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Pans / Dishes

Take your time with this step, ensuring items are packed well. This is also the time to pack plates and bowls and any odds and ends.Keep at least one all-purpose pot for your essentials box. pack the rest, including lids and crockery.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Prepare Appliances

Make sure you properly prepare large appliances. This should be done at least 24 hours in advance. Improper preparation can lead to gas leaks, broken parts and appliances that won’t work. Read the manuals, and if you’re unsure of how to prepare them, call a professional.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Pack Glasses

Packing glasses will probably be the most time consuming task especially if you own champagne or long stemmed wine glasses. Start by filling the the glass with bubble wrap or old newspapers. Lay each glass separately  onto a sheet of bubble wrap and wrap the glass as you would a christmas present, pay close attention to the stem. Secure all bubble wrap with tape before placing into a small or medium sized box. Used bubble wrap or newspaper to fill any gaps in the box. Once full clearly label the as fragile.

[/tab_content]

[tab_title]Bedrooms[/tab_title]

[tab_content]

The bedroom is usually the room that contains most of our personal possessions. That is why it is important to carefully pack this room and label all boxes clearly.

Beds / Furniture

 

All beds and bedroom furniture should be taken down and fully dismantled. All pieces should then be wrapped individually in bubble or foam wrap. This will protect against scratching and chipping during loading and transit. Ensure all bolts and screws are kept in a safe place. A good idea is to place them in small plastic bags and tape them to the corresponding item, this will save a lot of time when it comes to re assembling the items.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Clothing

Start by packing clothes that you do not often wear. If it is winter pack summer clothes and vice versa. Remember to leave yourself enough clothes until moving day along with work clothes and school uniforms.

• If you have suitcases use them for the clothes
• Any formal / dress wear should be hung in wardrobe boxes
• All other clothing can be packed into large removal boxes

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Footwear 

Start by pairing all shoes, if any of your shoes are dirty it may be a good idea to clean them before placing them into medium or large removal boxes. If you have the original boxes for your shoes these should always be used before being placed into larger removal boxes.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Electrical Items

Any hairdryers, straighteners or curling tongs etc should be placed in their original boxes whenever possible. If you do not have the original boxes, ensure that the item has fully cooled down before wrapping it inside a towel and placing into a small house removal box. Tv’s, dvd players and stereos should also be allowed to cool before being wrapped in bubble wrap and placed into the correct sized boxes.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Jewelry

The last thing you want is to be left with a load of un paired  earrings, knotted necklaces and broken clasps. Following our advice will help protect your jewelry during your house removal.

• Small clear, zip-close plastic bags are ideal for separating pieces of Jewelry you can then put them into a larger bag.
• Use safety pins to poke holes into pieces of card and stick your earrings through them. You can then wrap the card in bubble wrap or place them into the small plastics bags to keep them from snagging on anything else.
• To prevent chains from tangling up slip them through a drinking straw and close the clasp. Straws can be cut down to size if required.
• Pill boxes are also and ideal and cheap solution to pack jewelry. With the individual built-in compartments being ideal for stud earrings, necklaces and rings.
• For your most precious items of jewelry you can purchase specialist roll up travel bags that are designed specifically for jewelry. They lay flat when open and roll up small when closed.

On the day of your move it is always advisable to keep your jewelry in your  carry bag and take it in the car with you.

[/tab_content]

[tab_title]Bathroom[/tab_title]

[tab_content]

I don’t know about you, but my bathroom cabinets are filled with bottles, jars and canisters of things that we rarely use, but which we don’t dispose of because we might need them in the future. If this is the case with your bathroom, start packing with the back of your cabinets, including under the sink.

Bathroom Cabinets 

When packing the bathroom cabinets try to be ruthless, do not pack half empty jars and bottles as this will only take up extra room and has the possibility of leaking during the move.

• Use small boxes when packing the contents of your cabinets
• Always pack toiletries and medicines separately
• Glass jars should be packed upright and bubble wrapped
• All small items should be placed into jiffy bags
• Towels can be placed into medium or large removal boxes

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Medicine 

 

If you’re like most of us, you’ll have some pill bottles or medicines that have been forgotten, so you’ll need to carefully go through these items one by one to determine if they should be kept or disposed of. Remember, that medicine should not be kept if:

• The label cannot be read or is missing completely.
• The color, appearance, smell or consistency has changed.
• It’s past its expiry date.
• The medicine causes side effects that didn’t occur before.
• The treatment was discontinued or not completed.
• The medicine doesn’t seem to work.

If you need to dispose of medicines, do not flush it down the toilet or empty the contents into the drain. Medicines cause environmental damage and contamination as chemical treatments do not completely remove the contents. To properly dispose of medicines, take them to your local pharmacy.

[divider icon=”” style=”simple”]

Overnight Bag

If you’re moving to another city or area, you’ll probably be staying overnight in a hotel or at a relative’s house before you move in to your new home. Before you throw the entire contents of your bathroom into boxes, pull out a travel bag and load it up with necessary toiletries.

Things to include in your overnight bag:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush
• Cosmetics
• Shower gel

Having these essential items at hand will be a great help if you are unable to unpack everything on the day of your move.

[/tab_content]

[tab_title]Garden / Garage[/tab_title]

[tab_content]

It can be time consuming packing garden equipment safely,Long-handled garden tools, as well as brooms and mops, should be bundled together securely. Attachments should be removed from power tools and packed separately

Tools

• Long handled garden tools such as Rakes & Brooms should be securely tied together
• Use small removal boxes for heavier tools and equipment
• Hand tools should be packed into their original boxes when possible
• Tools without a box should be placed into small boxes with paper as cushioning
• Use old towels to wrap any sharp edged tools
• All power tools must be well drained of any oil or gas beforehand

[divider icon=”” style=”none”]

Garden Equipment

• Remove any Tv antennas, cables or Satellite dishes you want to take with you.
• Fully dismantle and children’s outdoor toys such as swings, slides etc
• Prepare your lawnmower in advance by fully draining any fuel or oil
• If you decide to take your garden shed, this should be fully dismantled

[divider icon=”” style=”none”]

Bikes

Specialist bike boxes can be purchased to secure your bike during transit. Alternatively if you are worried about your bike scratching or being damaged during transit, a good layer of bubble / foam wrap should do the trick.

[divider icon=”” style=”none”]

Open Tins / Jars

Any open paint tins or any  jars or open bottles of liquid should be securely placed into plastic bags and sealed tightly before being placed into strong double  walled boxes. Always clearly label all boxes that contain any hazardous items.

[/tab_content]