What to Pack

Appliances

Wrap small appliances in inkless newsprint or your kitchen towels or linens. Tape the bottom of a medium box securely and put down a layer of newsprint for padding. You can pack several small appliances to a box.

For large appliances, make sure you check your owner's manual for any special instructions before you start to pack. Make sure the inside and outside of all appliances are clean. You can stuff the inside of some appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, with towels or linens. Tape down any parts that could come loose -- the burners on your stove, the electrical cords, etc.

Books

Use only small boxes for books -- they get very heavy, very fast. You can use small paperbacks to fill the sides of the box if there is extra space.

Clothing

This is where wardrobe boxes come in handy. You can move clothing on hangers straight from your closet to the wardrobe boxes. Clothing in drawers can be left if this does not make the chest too heavy for the movers. Alternatively pack into suitcases or boxes.

Electronic equipment

Ideally, you should pack electronic equipment such as stereos, TVs and computers in their original boxes with their original packing material

Furniture

If you can take your furniture apart in any way to make it easier to move, make sure you put all nuts, bolts and screws in a small plastic bag and tape the bag to the furniture. Tape drawers shut where necessary if this will not damage the polished front. Wrap exposed legs (on tables and chairs) in inkless newsprint or towels and blankets.

Plants

A couple of weeks before you move, prune plants to facilitate packing. Consult a florist or a plant book for instructions.

On the day you leave, close boxes, punch air holes in the top.

Unpack the plants as soon as you can after arriving. Remove plants through the bottom of the box in order to avoid breaking the stems. Do not expose the plants to too much sunlight at first. Let them get accustomed to more light gradually.

If you must leave your plants behind, then take cuttings. Put them in a plastic bag with wet paper towels around them.