Chris moved to a new apartment last week and it went off without a hitch in large part, I’m told by Chris, because of the muscle from his father, who came down for the move, and the brains of his mother who wrote a step-by-step guide on how to move with ease.
I’m always happy to showcase non-traditional writing on my blog and Chris’ mother, Debbie, was kind enough to let me reprint her instructions here.
Good luck and happy moving.
DEBBIE MOLONEY’S GUIDE TO MOVING
INTRODUCTION: Think Outside The Box
Before you even think about packing get boxes, get lots of boxes, do not leave the house the week before moving without bringing back boxes.
Starbucks
Drug stores
Grocery stores
Liquor stores (pick up wine while you are there, don’t pack corkscrew just yet)
Copy stores
If you have too many boxes, which you won’t, you can always break them up and get rid of them.
Next is paper towels, you will probably need about 6 rolls, look for a bulk package at a grocery store, drug store or home depot.
PART ONE: Dining Room
I recommend “giving up” the dining room area. If you can keep the table up great, saves your back for sorting things just move it to a different area so you have room to start stacking the boxes.
PART TWO: Laundry
While you are home packing, get all the laundry done, taking dirty clothes, linens, towels to a new place would be silly. When they are clean immediately pack them.
This is another good time to part with old towels, etc. Goodwill would be glad of the donations.
PART THREE: Kitchen
I always recommend starting in the kitchen. Have 2 boxes on the go, one to take to the new place and one to give away. Do the top shelves first, probably those things haven’t been washed in a while, so wash first then pack. Wash out each cupboard after you empty it, less to do later before you leave the apartment.
Label each box well.
PART FOUR: Bedroom
I feel green garbage bags are great for clothes and suitcases.
You should always have a well-labeled green garbage bag for goodwill clothes too.
Try to pack clothes without hangers, moving clothes on hangers is a real pain.
If you must lay them on a blanket and with two people you can easily move them at one time.
Another helpful hint for clothes is anything that needs to go to a dry cleaners take to the dry cleaner from your old place and pick up and return to the new place.
Remember winter coats, they need dry cleaning in the spring anyways.
PART FIVE: Living Room
Books are heavy, use small boxes!!! Nothing more to say on that one.
Magazines, if they are not this year, pitch them. If you are really sentimental you can save a dozen of your favourites.
Make sure CDs are in their cases before you pack them up. Same goes with DVDs.
PART SIX: Bathroom
Pretend you are going on vacation, put the items you would take in your toilet bag and pack or pitch everything else. Check expiry dates on medications, cosmetics before you pack them.
