Packing Move Day can be stressful enough without the added hassle of having to pack a bunch of stuff at the last minute. Save yourself the grief. Start figuring out what needs packed, how it needs packing, and where it’ll be stored as soon as you know your move is a “go.” A little up-front planning and an early start can make a world of difference in how smooth and painless a Move Day you have. Not quite sure how to go about it? Relax! We’ve got a whole slew of packing tips and tricks for you. Follow them and your packing will be as good as any professional’s. As you’ll soon find out if you don’t know already, lots of moving companies offer professional packing services. They can be a big help for sure. Still, many people – maybe you’re one of them? – prefer to pack most if not all their belongings themselves. That’s why we offer this comprehensive packing guide. It takes you pretty much room by room through your house, showing you what to pack and how. You needn’t start where we start. Pick whichever room or cluster of rooms most interests you and start there. Living Room/Family Room/Guest Room Packing Tips Actually, the tips we provide here can apply just as well to any of your home’s larger rooms. Rugs Large area rugs are best left on the floor for your moving company to handle. Think about getting your area rugs cleaned professionally before Move Day: when they come back from the cleaners, they’ll be wrapped, rolled, and ready to ship. Loading area rugs last and unloading them first is the smart way to do it; that way, the rugs can be unrolled and positioned on the floor so furniture coming off the truck can be set on top of them. Furniture Large upholstered items can be shrink-wrapped by your van operator. If you have leather furniture, talk to your moving professional beforehand about the best way to protect and ship it. A good way to protect table corners is with cardboard taped around the edges. Couch pillows can be packed together in large boxes. Television Call your local cable company to have your cable service discontinued. Be sure to return any converter boxes and keep receipts for future reference. Especially large televisions should be crated in advance of Move Day. Your moving professional can help with this. Prior to Move Day, get hold of the cable company at your new destination and order cable service for your new home. In your new home, place your television on a hard surface at least six feet away from where you’ll normally sit to watch it. Don’t place your TVs in tightly enclosed spaces unless they’re sufficiently well ventilated. DVD or VCR Fortunately, DVDs, VCRs, and other such units don’t require special servicing in order to move them. At your destination home place this equipment on a hard surface. Make sure each unit is well ventilated, too – which means it’s not a good idea to set objects on top of them. Satellite Dish Given the sensitivity of this equipment, you’ll need to call an electrician or some kind of technician from the satellite company to disconnect and disassemble it. Crating may be necessary as well, depending on the size and configuration of the unit. This can be done by the moving professional you’ve hired. TV Stand/Stereo Cabinet If it has glass doors, remove them if you can and pack them in a mirror carton. Stereo Equipment Compact disc players, digital video disc players, and stereo turntables all require advance preparation before moving them. With compact and digital video disc players, you must secure the laser using the transport screws typically located on the bottom or back of the unit. The tone arm on most turntables has a plastic lock that can be used to hold it in place during transport. But it’s a good idea to tie a short length of string around the arm as well in case the lock doesn’t hold. The turntable platter itself can be secured by tightening the screws normally found on top of the turntable. Before you attempt to tighten or lock anything down, though, be sure to consult the Owner’s Manuals for each piece of stereo equipment you own. Speakers Well-cushioned dish packs are what’s needed for stereo speakers. If your speakers are unusually large or heavy, they’ll be padded by the movers before they’re placed on the truck. Typically, neither tape decks, receivers, nor speakers require servicing before being packed. Compact Discs, Tapes, and Records When packing compact discs and vinyl records, put them in their jewel cases and sleeves and stand them on edge back to back – never lay them flat – on a layer of crushed paper. Added protection can be provided at both ends of a row with hardcover books or several pieces of cardboard cut to fit. Finally, place another layer of crushed paper over the top of the media and seal the box. Be sure to label the box as well, noting what it contains and marking it “FRAGILE.” See that any cassette tapes you own are in their cases. Then wrap each case individually in crumpled paper. Individual cassettes can be laid vertically or horizontally on a layer or two of crushed paper. Should any of your records not have sleeves, wrap them individually in tissue paper or plastic wrap to keep them from getting scratched. Because records are heavy they should be packed in small cartons. Books Small cartons are advised for books also – to keep any one box from getting too heavy. Try to pack books of the same height or width together. Books are best laid flat in cartons, but you can also pack them back to back with their spines placed against the bottom of the carton. Do not pack them the other way around, with their spines facing upward, as this can cause the binding glue to separate. You should wrap expensively bound volumes, rare books, and those that hold particular sentimental value for you individually before packing them. Photographs Pack family photographs, videos, slides, and negatives in their own, separate cartons rather than stuffing them into boxes with other household items. To protect framed photos, pad and cushion them, then stand them back to back on edge in a carton. Don’t forget to label the carton. You may find it advisable to carry irreplaceable photos, framed or otherwise, with you when you travel to your new home. If photographs must be stored for any length of time before Move Day, make sure the storage area sufficiently protects them from the elements, particularly in hot or humid climates. Silk or Artificial Flowers It’s best to pack artificial flower arrangements in their own, separate cartons. Before doing so, however, wrap them carefully in paper towels, tissue paper, or plastic wrap. If you can, find a way to fasten the base of each arrangement to the bottom of the carton so it doesn’t shift around during transport. Label each carton containing a flower arrangement “FRAGILE – THIS SIDE UP.” Lamp Bases Remove the light bulb and lamp harp. Wrap each element – the base, the harp, and the bulb – separately in newsprint. Place all elements in one carton, filling the voids between them with wadded paper. Lamp Shades Never wrap lamp shades in newspaper; the ink can smear onto the shade. Tissue paper is the better wrapping for lamp shades. Use three or four sheets of it. A pillowcase or a large lightweight towel may also be used as a lamp-shade wrapping. Pack the wrapped lamp shade in a sturdy carton that’s at least two inches bigger than the shade all around. Line the carton with clean paper, using crushed paper under the shade for protection, but never placing crushed paper around the shade. You can nest a smaller shade inside a larger one provided they don’t touch. However, silk shades should be packed one to a carton to avoid stretching the silk. Shades should never be packed with other household items. Label the cartons “LAMP SHADES – FRAGILE – TOP LOAD ONLY.” Chandeliers and Leaded Glass Shades Given the general heaviness and fragility of these items, you should leave them for your moving professional to crate. Glass Table Tops, Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Paintings, Statues, and Large Vases Custom-made cartons and crates are available for items of this nature. Consult with your moving professional to determine what will work best with your possessions. Be advised that paper should never be permitted to touch the surface of an oil painting. Pianos They’re hefty instruments, to be sure, but grand or baby grand pianos are also very delicate instruments that require a qualified service provider to prepare them for moving. Advance preparations are seldom needed to move upright (spinet, console, or studio) pianos. All pianos are pad-wrapped to protect their surfaces. After the move, it’s a good idea to have your piano tuned again at your new home. Pool Tables In general, third-party services should take care of disassembling and crating your pool table. If you can contact the store where you purchased the table for help with this, by all means do so. Genuine slate tables are typically crated for shipping. Make arrangements in advance to have your pool table uncrated, reassembled, and leveled at your new home. Home Office/Den Packing Tips Home office packing can be tricky, with computers, other electronics, and sensitive personal documents needing to be shipped. The last thing you want is for these items to be misplaced during your move because of faulty packing or mislabeling. Follow these tips and that won’t happen. Important Paperwork, Legal Documents Set these aside well before your move and plan on taking them with you, personally. If you want to receive proper valuation coverage, you should list any computer equipment and other valuables exceeding $100 per pound on a "High Value Inventory" form (or something equivalent) provided by your mover. Computers, Printers, Scanners, and Other Electronics Disconnect all wires and cables, being sure to mark them for easy reassembly at your destination. Detach paper holders/feeders from printers. Wrap monitors and all hardware as you would other home electronics. Remove toner and ink cartridges from your printer. Back up all computer files on appropriate file storage disks or other such devices. Consult your PC User Manual and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and precautions Books To keep boxes relatively light and manageable, pack books in small cartons. Books of the same height or width should be packed together as much as possible. Lay books flat in cartons – or pack them back to back with their spines placed against the carton bottom. Do not pack them the other way around, with their spines facing upward, as this can cause the binding glue to separate. Before packing expensively bound volumes, rare books, or those that hold sentimental value for you, be sure to wrap them individually. Office Furniture Modular office furniture should be dismantled prior to Move Day. Use masking tape to mark which pieces fit with which. Keep all hardware – including drawer pulls – together in one container; a plastic bag or coffee can should do nicely. Kitchen Packing Tips Being the focal point for family activity in most homes, kitchens often end up as catch-alls for a variety of paraphernalia. Add to it all the typical things that must be kept in a kitchen, and you have what seems an overwhelming task packing it up for moving. These tips will help you stay calm and sort everything out. Food Items Before Move Day, either use or dispose of perishable foodstuffs. Pack canned goods, paper products, and boxed food in small boxes to keep them lightweight and manageable. If you have any open food packages, discard them before your move. Food in glass jars must be used or repackaged, as glass jars cannot be shipped due to the risk of breakage. Cleaning Products, Chemicals Give away or throw out cleaning products and chemicals not suitable for transport inside the moving truck. China and Glassware Original packaging is ideal for your fine china and special keepsake crystal glassware. If the original packaging isn’t available, wrap each piece of china individually. Adding bubble wrap or foam over these items, followed by a section of clean paper or packing paper, will provide optimal protection. Start at the corner of the paper and wrap each piece diagonally, tucking in the overlapping edges until the piece is covered entirely. Then, over all this, you can layer two pieces of newspaper as a finishing protective touch. Use durable, pre-sectioned packing boxes specifically designed for glassware. Follow the same wrapping method for your glassware as that described above for your china. If you use standard, non-sectioned boxes, do not stack glasses on top of each other unless you have a solid cushioned layer separating each row. Place padded cushioning in the bottom of your box and in-between glasses for further protection. To keep your inventory of china and glassware organized, label your boxes “DINING ROOM – China (or Glassware) – FRAGILE – TOP SIDE UP.” Flat China and Flat Glassware Follow the packing tips for regular china and glassware listed above. Again: if you have the original packaging, use it. If you’re using a standard box, add a layer of cushioning to the bottom of it. Pack flat china and flat glassware according to weight and size. Place your largest and heaviest pieces of china and glassware, such as platters and plates, at the bottom of the carton. The lighter items should go on top. It’s a good idea to bundle three similar pieces of wrapped china or glassware together and cover them with a double layer of newspaper. As you place the bundles in your carton, use durable strips of cardboard to separate each stacked row. Stuff a generous amount of padded cushioning and crushed packing paper into every void of the carton to protect your pieces against movement and shifting during transit. Bowls and Odd-shaped Items Nest mixing bowls in cartons according to size, wrapping each nested set in clean paper or packing paper. Use clean paper to wrap serving bowls and soup bowls individually. Then add two layers of newspaper for further protection. Wrap gravy bowls, pitchers, and sauce containers individually as well – and cover them with an outer layer of newspaper. Items that are oddly shaped should be packed by themselves in separate boxes so they don’t damage other dishes. Wrap them according to the instructions above for serving bowls, etc. Pots and Pans Wrap pots and pans individually with clean packing paper to avoid potential scratches. If you stack pots and pans according to size, be sure to place a paper towel, a sheet of foam paper, or some bubble wrap between each – again, to prevent scratches. Add crushed paper to fill any voided space in your box. Cups Pre-sectioned boxes work great for cups, ceramic or otherwise. Wrap each cup individually with two layers of clean paper or packing paper, followed with a protective layer of newspaper. Place each cup upside down into a section of the divided box, with all handles facing in the same direction. Then add a final layer of cushioning at the top. Silver and Flatware Cover your silver and flatware with plastic wrap to prevent tarnish and rust, then add a protective layer of newspaper, and seal the package with tape. Wrap silver and flatware individually or in sets – either way is fine. If you keep your silver and flatware in a special chest, add protective cushioning to ensure that your your wrapped items won’t move during transport. Placing a large bath towel over the chest will help protect its finish. Silver bowls, serving dishes, and tea sets should be wrapped individually with clean paper then an outer layer of newspaper before boxing them. Cutlery Use cardboard or knife shields to cover sharp blades. Carefully wrap sharp cutlery with plenty of packing paper or towels, making sure all sharp edges are covered. Place your cutlery in durable boxes or cartons and add crushed paper for cushioning. Figurines and Other Delicate Items Wrap each delicate item individually in soft wrapping tissue, conventional tissue paper, or a paper towel. Mirrors, frames, and plaques should also be wrapped this way – with an added outer layer of newspaper for further protection. Glass figurines and other such items of extreme delicacy are best protected with a wrapping of towels. Lay all items flat in your carton and secure them by filling all voids with ample cushioning and padding. Small Appliances Remove all sharp blades from food processors, blenders, and other such appliances. Tie all cords. Either wrap your small appliances in packing paper or cover them each with a towel. Place wrapped appliances in durable boxes or cartons and add crushed paper for additional cushioning. Cookbooks Again, use small boxes for books to keep them lightweight and manageable. Avoid overloading them. Group similar-sized cookbooks in the same box. Protect delicate cookbooks and family recipes with protective plastic and wrap. Laundry Room Packing Tips Another tricky room to pack, the laundry room poses special challenges, not least because of all the chemicals it typically houses. Many of these chemicals are not transportable in moving vans. Follow our tips and guidelines, and moving your laundry room should be no problem. Detergents, Bleaches, Chemicals Before you move, use or dispose of any items that have chemicals or are hazardous to transport. These include such products as liquid laundry detergent, bleach, and various types of cleaning agents.. Laundry If possible, wash all your laundry before Move Day. That’ll make it a lot easier to organize and pack, which, in turn, will keep it from getting overly wrinkled or damaged.. Laundry Baskets Laundry baskets make fantastic packing crates. Their hollow centers and rigid shells are perfect repositories for soft items such as pillows. To keep pillows clean in the baskets, cover them with a towel.. Given their large size and rigidity, laundry baskets don’t have to be placed in boxes or cartons.. Irons/Ironing Boards Cover your ironing board with protective plastic wrap to keep it from damage and dirt that can transfer later to your clothes.. Tie and wrap iron cords.. Place your iron in a small protective box to limit its movement during transit. If you have the original box it came in, use it.. Hampers Like laundry baskets, hampers also make great packing crates. Use them for storing clothes (preferably clean, folded, and wrapped) or other laundry items during your move.. Sewing Kits Sewing kits are best transported when they’re thoroughly sealed and placed in a small box with plenty of crushed paper providing cushioning. Dining Room Packing Tips Extra time and care is needed to pack your dining room – especially since what you’re packing primarily tends to be china, crystal, flatware, and showy dining room furniture. We’ll describe how to pack each item to help protect it against damage during your move. China and Glassware Original packaging is ideal for your fine china and special keepsake crystal glassware. If the original packaging isn’t available, wrap each piece of china individually. Adding bubble wrap or foam over these items, followed by a section of clean paper or packing paper, will provide optimal protection. Start at the corner of the paper and wrap each piece diagonally, tucking in the overlapping edges until the piece is covered entirely. Then, over all this, you can layer two pieces of newspaper as a finishing protective touch. Use durable, pre-sectioned packing boxes specifically designed for glassware. Follow the same wrapping method for your glassware as that described above for your china. If you use standard, non-sectioned boxes, do not stack glasses on top of each other unless you have a solid cushioned layer separating each row. Place padded cushioning in the bottom of your box and in-between glasses for further protection. To keep your inventory of china and glassware organized, label your boxes “DINING ROOM – China (or Glassware) – FRAGILE – TOP SIDE UP.” Flat China and Flat Glassware Follow the packing tips for regular china and glassware listed above. Again: if you have the original packaging, use it. If you’re using a standard box, add a layer of cushioning to the bottom of it. Pack flat china and flat glassware according to weight and size. Place your largest and heaviest pieces of china and glassware, such as platters and plates, at the bottom of the carton. The lighter items should go on top. It’s a good idea to bundle three similar pieces of wrapped china or glassware together and cover them with a double layer of newspaper. As you place the bundles in your carton, use durable strips of cardboard to separate each stacked row. Stuff a generous amount of padded cushioning and crushed packing paper into every void of the carton to protect your pieces against movement and shifting during transit. Cups Pre-sectioned boxes work great for cups, ceramic or otherwise. Wrap each cup individually with two layers of clean paper or packing paper, followed with a protective layer of newspaper. Place each cup upside down into a section of the divided box, with all handles facing in the same direction. Then add a final layer of cushioning at the top. Silver and Flatware Cover your silver and flatware with plastic wrap to prevent tarnish and rust, then add a protective layer of newspaper, and seal the package with tape. Wrap silver and flatware individually or in sets – either way is fine. If you keep your silver and flatware in a special chest, add protective cushioning to ensure that your your wrapped items won’t move during transport. Placing a large bath towel over the chest will help protect its finish. Silver bowls, serving dishes, and tea sets should be wrapped individually with clean paper then an outer layer of newspaper before boxing them. Artwork and Decorative Wall Hangings Expensive artwork and decorative wall hangings valued above $100 per pound should be listed on a “High Value Inventory” form (or its equivalent) provided by your mover. This is a precautionary measure for reimbursement in the event of an unexpected loss or damage. But it’s important in any event, as it accounts in writing for all items of value in your dining room area. Figurines, Curios and Other Delicate Items Wrap each figurine, curios, or whatnot individually in soft wrapping tissue, conventional tissue paper, or a paper towel. Mirrors, frames, and plaques should also be wrapped this way – with an added outer layer of newspaper for further protection. Glass figurines and other such items of extreme delicacy are best protected with a wrapping of towels. Lay all items flat in your carton and secure them by filling all voids with ample cushioning and padding. Fragile Items Again, for fragile items that exceed $100 per pound, be sure to list them on a “High Value Inventory” sheet or something similar that your mover provides. This will ensure that your items are covered against potential loss or damage. Lamp Bases Remove the light bulb and lamp harp. Wrap each element – the base, the harp, and the bulb – separately in newsprint. Place all elements in one carton, filling the voids between them with wadded paper. Lamp Shades Never wrap lamp shades in newspaper; the ink can smear onto the shade. Tissue paper is the better wrapping for lamp shades. Use three or four sheets of it. A pillowcase or a large lightweight towel may also be used as a lamp-shade wrapping. Pack the wrapped lamp shade in a sturdy carton that’s at least two inches bigger than the shade all around. Line the carton with clean paper, using crushed paper under the shade for protection, but never placing crushed paper around the shade. You can nest a smaller shade inside a larger one provided they don’t touch. However, silk shades should be packed one to a carton to avoid stretching the silk. Shades should never be packed with other household items. Label the cartons “LAMP SHADES – FRAGILE – TOP LOAD ONLY.” Chandeliers and Leaded Glass Shades Given the general heaviness and fragility of these items, you should leave them for your moving professional to crate. Glass Table Tops, Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Paintings, Statues, and Large Vases Custom-made cartons and crates are available for items of this nature. Consult with your moving professional to determine what will work best with your possessions. Be advised that paper should never be permitted to touch the surface of an oil painting. Table Leaves The easiest way to transport a table leaf? Use the original padding that came with the table. Just place the padding right up against each leaf and secure it with tape, making sure to avoid the finish on the wood. If the original padding isn’t available, cover your table leaves securely with paper pads. Draperies and Curtains Custom cartons specially designed for drapes and curtains are, of course, the best way to protect them from dirt and damage during a move. Lacking such cartons, plastic wrap works equally well. Rugs Rugs should always be rolled with the top surface inside before shipping them to protect the fabric from tears and other damage. Seeing that rugs are the last things loaded on the moving truck and the first things unloaded gives you two advantages: 1) it makes rug placement easier in your new home, and 2) it allows furniture coming off the truck to be placed on the rugs instead of on bare, unprotected floors. Furniture Leather furniture should always be protected to prevent damage. Your mover can advise you on the best ways to do this. Upholstered furniture can be covered or shrink-wrapped to provide full protection all around. All table legs should be folded or removed, if possible or otherwise protected with cardboard. Cardboard should also be used to protect table edges and corners. All furniture should be covered and protected in some way to help prevent scratches and other damage. Bedroom Packing Tips From the nursery to the master bedroom, we offer tips for packing everything like a pro. Bedroom Furnishings Pack the least-used bedrooms first, such as guest rooms. When packing up a guest room, you can use it as temporary storage for items from other rooms. Your children, for example, could use the guest room for setting aside the toys, books, and games they’ll be taking to your new home. Clothing Hanging clothes from closets can be left on hangers and placed in wardrobe cartons. Consider purchasing several wardrobe cartons from your mover. One carton will hold roughly two feet of compressed clothing on hangers. If you’re concerned about wrinkles, just get more cartons. In the event you’re not using wardrobe cartons, you should remove each garment from its hanger, fold it, and place it in a suitcase or some other kind of carton lined with clean paper. You can leave hats in hatboxes. If hatboxes aren’t available, stuff the crown of each hat with crumpled tissue paper, wrap tissue loosely around the outside, and place the hat with others in a carton lined with clean paper. Heavier hats go in the bottom of the carton. Don't pack anything else with hats. Label the carton "FRAGILE." Jewelry Remove all fine jewelry from drawers. Do not pack your jewelry with your household goods. Instead, keep it in your possession and take it with you during your move. This is the best way to ensure its security. If your jewelry collection is extensive or of high value, you may want to consider using a third-party service that specializes in jewelry transport. Mattresses and Pillows Use mattress cartons or bags designed specifically for mattresses and box springs. Pack pillows in your dresser drawers or in large cartons. Clocks and Mirrors Glass mirrors are best packed in special mirror cartons. If your mirrors are exceptionally heavy, you should look into a custom crating service. Draperies and Curtains Wardrobe cartons can be used to hang curtains and drapes for shipping. First, line the cartons with paper or plastic wrap. Next, fold the drapes lengthwise, place them over a padded hanger and discreetly pin them to it. Then hang the drapes in the carton. Bathroom Packing Tips Bathrooms, like kitchens, can quickly become catch-alls, making them difficult to pack up for a move. Here are some tips that’ll help you make short – and successful! – work of it. Linens, Towels, and Bedding Wash, dry, and fold your bedding and linens before packing. Bedding, tablecloths, , and other linens should be folded and stored in large plastic bags, then packed into cartons lined with paper. Toiletries Before you move, you’re better off throwing away all aerosol cans of deodorant, hairspray – whatever. If you choose to keep them, you must take them with you in your car. Tape other kinds of filled bottles or tubes shut and wrap them to prevent leakage. Pack your toiletries in small cartons, making sure first of all that none of them are designated by the moving industry as non-transportable. Rugs Either roll up your area rugs and pack them in paper-lined containers Or ask your mover to stretch-wrap them for transit. It’s advisable to have your area rugs cleaned professionally before Move Day: when they come back from the cleaners, they’ll be wrapped, rolled, and ready to ship. Loading area rugs last and unloading them first lets you unrolled them and position them on the floor of your new home so furniture coming off the truck can be set on top of them. Garage and Storage Packing Tips Nothing can get cluttered as quickly and thoroughly as a garage or storage room. Each is likely also to contain a lot of odd-shaped, sharp, or heavy items. That’s why these spaces can take the longest time to pack up for a move. Our packing tips will help you sort through the mess and get these areas ship-shape for Move Day in no time. Items That Can’t Be Shipped Pesticides, fertilizers, oil, gas, and other such items should be disposed of before you do anything else. Tools Long-handled garden tools, brooms, and mops, should be bundled together securely in groups of similar size and shape. Remove all attachments from power tools and pack them separately. You can leave hand tools in tool boxes, filling in any voids with crushed paper – or you can pack them according to the general packing rules we’ve outlined above for other items. Always use small cartons for heavy tools to keep the boxes manageable. Use old towels to wrap and tape any sharp-edged tools. For transport safety, always drain power tools of oil and gas beforehand. Rakes and Brooms Shovels, rakes, brooms, and similar tools don’t need to be packed. Instead, gather them together for your driver to bundle in a pad. Lawn and Patio Furniture Remove cushions and pack them in a large carton or wardrobe. Clean the furniture frames. Patio Umbrellas You can keep them clean and dry during transit by wrapping them in paper padding or a plastic bag and taping the wrapper shut. Do not pack weighted umbrella stands. Grills Dispose of any unused charcoal. Remove the tank – it cannot be transported in a moving van. Outdoor Equipment Before Move Day, dismantle children's swing sets, TV antennas, garden sheds, and any other outdoor equipment you plan to take with you. Get help from the experts >>