Packing List

Your Personal Packing Guide

Small Appliances

• Pack in original containers or cushioned boxes.
• Do not use shredded paper — it can clog the appliance.

Major Appliances: Gas Dryers

• Check with the dealer for any special moving instructions.
• Remove loose fittings and accessories; pack separately.
• Tie down, tape or wedge all movable parts and doors.
• Have the gas company disconnect it.

Major Appliances: Washing Machine

• Check with the dealer for any special moving instructions.
• Remove loose fittings and accessories; pack separately.
• Tie down, tape or wedge all movable parts and doors.
• Stuff towels between the machine sides and tub to keep the tub from rotating.
• Pad the exterior well.
• Disconnect hoses, put them in a plastic bag, and place the bag in the tub.

Major Appliances: Freezer/Refrigerator

• Check with the dealer for any special moving instructions.
• Remove loose fittings and accessories; pack separately.
• Tie down, tape or wedge all movable parts and doors.
• Defrost and dry interiors well.
• Fill interior spaces with lightweight linens, clothing or stuffed toys.
• To determine if your brand can be moved on its side, check with your local dealer.
• Stand upright for at least 24 hours before plugging it in.
• Have the gas company disconnect it.

Beds

• Disassemble the bed frame.
• Tie rails and crosspieces together with rope or tape.
• Pad the ends of the rails to protect other items.
• Use marked tape to show where pieces fit together.
• Use mattress protection bags to keep mattress clean.
• Wrap headboard in protective paper or bubble pack.

Bikes & Strollers

• Loosen, lower and turn handlebars at right angles to save space.
• Clean and cover chains and pedals to protect other items.

Books

• Use small boxes so they won't be so heavy.
• Pack books flat, alternating bindings.
• Fill empty spaces with wadded paper.
• Reinforce the box bottoms with extra tape.

Bureaus and Dressers

• Fill drawers with small breakable items.
• Cushion them with loose clothes.
• Secure drawers with a pad or blanket (tape can remove the finish) and tie with rope.
• Do not overload drawers with heavy items.

Chairs

• Wrap arms and legs to prevent scratches.
• Bundle armless chairs in pairs, seat to seat, with a folded blanket or other padding between them.
• Tie seats together.

Clothes

• Pack hanging clothes in reusable wardrobe boxes.
• Keep other clothes folded in their regular dresser drawers or in suitcases and duffel bags.

Dishes

• Individually wrap each piece.
• Wrap in plastic bags before using newspaper, to save dishwashing later.
• Place saucers, plates and platters on edge – not stacked flat.
• Place cups and bowls inside each other; wrap 3 to 4 in a bundle. Place wrapped dishes in a box; fill empty space with wadded-up newspaper.

Glasses

• Wrap each glass separately in newspaper or bubble pack.
• Pack in sturdy boxes — dish packs are perfect for glassware as well as dishes.
• Fill any empty spaces with wadded-up newspaper.

Kitchenware

• Pots and pans can be stacked in a box with a sheet of paper between them.

Lamps

• Disassemble lamps.
• Pack small bases in dresser drawers surrounded by loose clothing.
• Pack large bases in boxes stuffed with wadded paper.
• Box shades individually in boxes with plenty of tissue paper. Avoid newspaper — it will smudge.
• Pack light bulbs separately.

Lawn Mowers

• Drain fuel and oil before loading.
• Remove handle from hand mowers and place blade end in sturdy box.
• Mark properly.

Mirrors

• Wrap small mirrors in paper and pack in boxes.
• Make a cardboard case by cutting pieces of corrugated cardboard for large mirrors.
• Mark "GLASS" on the outside.
• Pack and store on end!

Paint & Flammables

• Don't move paint and flammables, such as alcohol, solvents, lighter fluid, ammunition and greasy mops or rags.
• Dispose of them properly instead.

Paintings & Prints

• Place in mirror boxes
• Wrap individually in corrugated cardboard or in cardboard cushioned with thick blankets and bundled with cord.
• Stand on sides.

Pets

• Place up front in the truck cab with you.
• Put pet on leash, in a kennel or in a cage when outside your truck and.
• Ensure that your pet wears an ID tag.
• Do not leave your pet in the truck. (If you absolutely must, park the truck in a shaded area and open the window.)
• If your pet becomes overheated while traveling, take it to an air-conditioned area and place it in a shallow tub of cool water or rub it down with cool, wet towels.
• Check with your pet's veterinarian to see if a mild sedative is recommended for the move.
• Make sure your pet has enough food and water for the trip.

Plants

• Store plants in plastic bags with holes punched for air.
• Place in boxes if possible.
• Watch temperature. (Below 34°F or above 94°F for much over an hour can be fatal.)
• Ensure potting soil is moist before moving.
• Check with your local Department of Agriculture office regarding what state or federal plant regulations may be in effect throughout your journey that might prohibit the transportation of your plants to your destination.

Radios, TVs and Computers

• Box upright and make sure items are well padded on all sides.
• Tape extra layers of bubble pack to TV and monitor screens.
• Surround console-size equipment with furniture pads; move and load upright.

Rugs & Pads

• Vacuum rugs and pads.
• Sprinkle with moth flakes.
• Roll up and tie with twine.

Stereos, CDs

• Separately pack components and pack in a well-padded box marked "FRAGILE."
• Pack CDs upright in their cases in a sturdy box with a tape-reinforced bottom. Tie CDs in small bundles before packing, then fill air space with wadded paper.

Tables

• For large tables, remove the legs and tie them together. Put hardware in a small sealed envelope taped to the underside of the tabletop. Pad the top. Pad and tie spare table leaves. For smaller tables, pad the top and wrap legs to prevent scratching.

Tools & Gardening Equipment

• Drain hoses, coil and pack in boxes. Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden hand tools and so forth. Tie rakes, shovels and other long-handled tools together with rope or tape.

Valuables

• Set aside jewelry, important papers and safe deposit box contents in a small container.
• Keep with you throughout the move.
  • Vehicle registration and title
  • Children's school records
  • Insurance policies
  • Bank statements and credit records
  • Medical and dental records
  • Irreplaceable photographs
  • Tax return records