| Moving into your new home is an exciting time, but | | | | You can keep clothes smelling fresh by placing a |
| most of us dread the idea of packing and unpacking | | | | scented dryer sheet in the box with the clothes. |
| all of our belongings. It can be a daunting task, and | | | | Keep folded clothes in dresser drawers, and take the |
| no one looks forward to the work involved with a | | | | drawers out before you move the dresser into the |
| big move. Valuable items get lost or broken, and our | | | | moving truck or pod. Once the dresser is loaded, |
| sense of organization all but disappears during a | | | | replace the drawers during the actual move. Be sure |
| move. These packing tips can make the transition on | | | | the drawers are not overloaded, as this can cause |
| moving day go smoothly and almost stress-free. | | | | damage to the dresser during the move. When you |
| 1. Start early! | | | | unload into your new Arizona home, remove the |
| You might want to hold a yard sale to help clear out | | | | drawers first. |
| unwanted or unneeded items. Thrift stores and | | | | 6. Disassemble beds |
| consignment shops will gladly accept your unwanted | | | | Near the date of your move, disassemble beds to |
| clothes. The fewer items you have to move, the | | | | prepare for transport. Take the mattresses off the |
| easier your move will be. In addition, you may raise | | | | frame and disassemble, being sure to keep all nuts, |
| some money while getting rid of things! Prepare for | | | | bolts, and other hardware in a sealed plastic bag. |
| packing by getting the necessary supplies: | | | | Label the bag and place in a box labeled appropriately. |
| Strong, corrugated cardboard boxes | | | | Secure bed rails with tape or twine. |
| Box labels or stickers | | | | 7. Pack food items |
| Foam peanuts or "popcorn" and bubble wrap | | | | When packing canned goods, place upright with no |
| Tissue paper or newsprint for wrapping delicate items | | | | more than 24-30 cans per box. Wrap glass containers |
| Packing tape to seal boxes | | | | and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons. |
| Markers | | | | Try to consume all perishable and frozen food items |
| Scissors and/or Exacto knife | | | | before your move, as these items are difficult to |
| When packing boxes, keep their weight between | | | | move to a new Arizona home safely. If packing |
| 25-35 pounds. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes | | | | medicines, seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and |
| and lighter items in larger boxes. Pack items from the | | | | pack upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, |
| same room together. Seal the box with packing tape, | | | | carry medicines with you. |
| and clearly label it, indicating the general category of | | | | 8. Pack a survival kit |
| contents and which room the box's items come | | | | During your move, you may be unable to find some |
| from. (Color coordinating box labels will make | | | | important everyday items that you will need the first |
| unloading easier, too!) First, pack possessions you | | | | few days in your new home. Pack a "survival" kit to |
| rarely use, like items from the garage or storage | | | | carry in your car or have first off the truck. Some |
| areas. Once you clear out the garage, you will have | | | | important, often overlooked items to place in the |
| space to store the boxes until moving day. You can | | | | survival kit include the following: |
| also save time and space by ordering a "pod" or | | | | Basic Tools -- Hammer, screwdriver, knife, tape, etc. |
| "pack rat," a portable storage container. Pack a few | | | | Bathroom products -- Soap, shampoo, toilet paper, |
| cartons each day, so your workload doesn't seem | | | | towels, etc. |
| overwhelming. | | | | Kitchen items -- Disposable utensils, cups, plates and |
| 2. Pack dishes and other fragile items | | | | snacks, drinks, paper towels, etc. |
| When packing fragile items, it is important to keep | | | | Cleaning products -- Cleansers, broom, dustpan, |
| them safe and secure from breakage. Select a | | | | sponges, etc. |
| medium-sized box and line the bottom with crumpled | | | | First aid supplies -- Bandages, disinfectants, pain |
| packing paper. Carefully wrap each item individually, | | | | relievers, etc. |
| and place in the carton. When packing glasses and | | | | 9. Stay organized |
| stemware, fill them with crumpled packing paper. | | | | When loading moving cartons into your pod or |
| Place items in an upright position. Separate layers of | | | | moving truck, it is important to stay organized and |
| items with packing paper or bubble wrap, and be | | | | load efficiently. This will ease the unloading process |
| sure to fill in any empty space to prevent shifting of | | | | and keep your items more secure from damage. |
| items. Mark the box "FRAGILE," and always stack at | | | | Keep boxes from the same room together to help |
| the top. | | | | the unloading process. Stack heavier boxes near the |
| 3. Pack small appliances and electronics | | | | bottom, and lighter boxes near the top. Always stack |
| When possible, you should pack small appliances and | | | | fragile items at the top. |
| electronics in their original packaging. These items fit | | | | 10. Ask friends for help |
| efficiently in their original boxes, and are often | | | | Your friends can be a helpful and inexpensive |
| awkward to fit into other types of cartons. If you | | | | resource to utilize during your move. Ask for their |
| do not have the original packaging, choose an | | | | assistance, and let them know your move date well |
| appropriate-sized box, and place protective padding | | | | in advance. Offer to reward them during and after |
| on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or | | | | the move, as this will encourage their enthusiasm to |
| protective pad around the item, and place it in its | | | | assist with the move. |
| carton. Wrap cords separately, label to identify usage, | | | | 11. Unloading |
| and place in a plastic bag away from delicate | | | | Once you arrive in your new Arizona home, the |
| surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also be | | | | unloading process begins. When removing boxes from |
| wrapped. Place cords between the padded item and | | | | the moving truck or pod, take them to the proper |
| the box. | | | | rooms where they belong. Stack boxes neatly and |
| 4. Pack Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures | | | | allow ample space for moving furniture into the room. |
| Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames, | | | | 12. Unpacking |
| and place on edge in cartons. For added safety, place | | | | If possible, take off an extra day or two from work. |
| tape diagonally across mirror to protect better | | | | Having a couple of days to unpack will make the job |
| against damage. Do not place newspaper directly | | | | less overwhelming, and you will return to work a little |
| against paintings, because ink will transfer from the | | | | more refreshed than if you were rushed to unpack. |
| newsprint to your artwork. | | | | Unpack larger items first, and assemble items you |
| 5. Pack clothes | | | | had taken apart for the move. Focus on one room at |
| Use wardrobe boxes to pack clothes on hangers. | | | | a time, starting where you feel most comfortable. |