16Oct 2014

Are you planning to move house and want to pack all your belongings yourself? Well, as daunting as that might seem, you can get around to completing the task in no time if you organise your work. With a little bit of planning and foresight, you can reduce the potential for disaster on moving day. Here are some tips on how to go about packing your possessions.1.    Get your packing supplies ready. This involves getting several boxes of various sizes, strong tape, bubble wrap, newspapers and wrapping paper, seal bags etc. Make sure you use sturdy packing boxes, you can find corrugated, double cardboard ones in supermarkets or large retain stores.2.    Start packing early. You are bound to take longer than you anticipate as you take time to reminisce over souvenirs or sort through which stuff you need.3.    Tackle one room at a time, usually starting from the top of the house and moving downwards. Pack away items that you don’t use often first.4.    Always tape the base of the boxes from outside so that they don’t give away. Put the heavier items at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. Pack heavy items individually in small boxes so that they are easier to transport.5.    As far as possible, try to use smaller boxes for packing. If you do have to use a large box, don’t fill it to the brim as it will become too heavy to carry. Do not overfill the boxes so that they are bulging on the top and sides. This makes it difficult to stack them and there are chances that they might burst open in transit.6.    Always line the boxes with newspaper and bubble wrap before putting your things in it. Wrap your belongings individually, using clean tissue or wrapping paper for the first layer instead of newspaper, because newspaper print may transfer on the items.  Pack fragile items in several layers of bubble wrap or use pillows and blankets for cushioning.7.    Make a list of all the items that you are putting in a box. Label the box with details of the contents and the room it belongs to. Also indicate the direction in which it should be loaded and whether they contain breakables.8.    Put all hazardous materials such as paints and sprays in one box, label and seal it securely. Store it away from the other boxes and make sure it is loaded into the van carefully. Put all important documents such as birth and marriage certificates, house and car ownership papers, bills in one small box and carry it with you in your car when moving.9.    Pack an overnight bag for everyone in the family; this will involve the things that they are likely to need in the first night at the new house – spare clothes and toiletries. You will always be left with some dirty laundry until the morning of the move. Make sure you pack them in a separate box and keep them dry. Damp laundry is not only heavy to carry, but may also start smelling by the time you unpack it.10.    Also pack a box of essentials that you may need in the first few days of moving into your new home. This may include some plates, dishes and cutlery, toilet paper and toiletries for the family, snacks, tea, coffee and such, torch, kitchen clothes, plastic bags, first aid kit, tool kit etc.11.    Do not pack the essentials box and the overnight bags into the moving van. Carry them with you in your car, along with the box containing essential documents.12.    When loading the boxes in the van, make sure you group the boxes that belong to the same room together. This makes it easier to unpack. Also, load the boxes containing items that you need the least first.If you keep these few tips in mind and go accordingly, you should have absolutely no problem when moving house.