Six Ways To Pack During A Move To Protect Your Items And Maximize Existing Space
Moving to a new home is exciting, but it can also be filled with anxiety, especially once you begin packing your belongings. One area that is frequently overlooked by individuals is how to efficiently pack clothing and personal items such as shoes, jewelry and toiletries. For example, clothes end up being an afterthought and are often piled on top of boxes and wadded into cartons. This can lead to dirty or even damaged items, and it also wastes valuable space. Below are six hints that can make packing clothing and personal items simpler, protect them from harm and maximize your space at the same time:
Roll your clothes up first
One of the best ways to save space when packing clothes is to roll them up into a tight bundle. This is an ideal way to pack clothing that's acceptable to wrinkle, such as undershirts, shorts, tee shirts, bathing suits and other items. The rolling process removes all the extra air and maximizes the use of available space in the carton. After you have rolled an article of clothing, slip a rubber band around it to keep it from unraveling. Packing clothes in this manner is so efficient, in fact, that you may need to reduce the amount of clothing placed in a single box to keep the weight manageable.
Place coiled belts inside your collared shirts
Collared shirts are not good candidates for rolling up, but they can be packed folded and kept flat. However, the collars on shirts can be crushed and deformed, so you want to provide protection during the move. A great way to protect your collars is to coil your belts and place them inside the neck of your shirts. This will keep the collars from being pushed inward and will also be a convenient means of packing your belts.
Use pill-minder compartments to store and transfer jewelry
Packing and moving jewelry can also be difficult. Attempting to transport jewelry in a large container can lead to twisted, broken or even lost valuables. That's why you should isolate individual jewelry items in smaller containers. A simple, inexpensive means of doing that is by placing rings, pins, earrings and other small items inside pill-minder compartments. You can purchase pill-minders cheaply from any pharmacy, and they are also often available free as a give-away promotional item at expos and health fairs. Plus, pill-minders disguise your jewelry and serve as a good way to protect your items from possible theft during the move.
Cover your shoes with shower caps
Shoes can be awkward to pack due to their shape, and they can get other items dirty if packed in a mixed box. Plus, leather shoes can be scratched in a move; that's why they need to be protected from other items, and other items need to be protected from your shoes. An excellent way to keep your shoes from being scuffed or from damaging other items is to enclose them inside elastic shower caps. Simply place each pair of shoes inside a shower cap, and pull the elastic band up over the shoes so they are tucked into the cap. This snug "package" will serve as dual-protection for your shoes and possessions and can be easily unpacked when the move is completed.
Reseal your bottle openings
Bottles of cologne, aftershave and other toiletries are not designed for transport in most cases; they are prone to leak if turned sideways or upside-down. That's why you should create a seal from plastic cling wrap that will form a leak-proof joint between the bottle and its cap. Snip a small section of plastic cling wrap that is a couple of inches larger than the opening of the bottle on all sides, then place the wrap over the opening. While holding the plastic wrap in place so it remains tight, screw the lid back on the bottle over the wrap. You won't have to worry about spills, and the wrap can be disposed of quickly at your destination.
Keep some drawers filled
There is no rule that you have to remove your clothing and personal items from all the drawers in your home. In fact, it can make sense to leave lightweight, but bulky, items inside their drawers during a move. For example, gloves, wraps, scarfs and other such items are ideal to leave inside the drawer. They won't overburden the person moving the dresser or chest-of-drawers; plus, you won't have to worry about unpacking them once you arrive. Just be sure to remove any heavy items from the drawer first, or you may damage the furniture or injure the mover.
For more packing and moving tips, contact a company like Bekins Van Lines Inc.