Tag Archives: packing

Organizing for a Move, 7 Tips to Get You Started

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many belongings

Start in a room that is not used every day.

Young or old, downsizing or moving up, your need to get organized is seldom more urgent that when “moving house” approaches. The amount to be accomplished seems daunting. As well, it often is required a time when you have many other things on your mind. Here is how to break getting organized for a move into manageable steps.

  1. Assemble these supplies:
    • a basket, caddy or tool apron
    • felt markers,
    • masking tape, and packing tape
    • note pad and pen,
    • post it notes,
    • various colored stickers
    • bubble wrap, packing paper
    • cardboard moving boxes,
    • sturdy garbage bags.
  2. Start in a room with less emotional attachment. Gradually get used to the idea of moving. To avoid disruption, do not choose to start in a room that is used every day.
  3. Make decisions on large pieces first.This will give you a sense of accomplishment more quickly. Decide what the the disposition of the item will be. There are 5 possible choices:
    1. Take to next home – things you will not part with and which will fit in even the smallest home
    2. May be taking – things you would like to take if there is room
    3. Sell – items of potential value which you want to sell
    4. Gift – items you would like to give to individuals or to charities
    5. Dispose – things that need to be hauled away.

    Use the sticky post-it notes, coloured stickers or masking tape and markers to label items as to what the disposition will be, prices, who gets it, etc. Put stickers on the underside if you are worried about marking fine finishes.

  4. Make lists.
    • List items you will be keeping. This will be good for getting movers estimates and for insurance in next home.
    • List items you will be selling. This will be used for the auctioneer, or estate sale helpers.
    • List items you will be giving to individuals. This will be a reminder to contact them with your offer. Set a pick-up date and try not to be too disappointed if they do not want the item after all.
  5. Keep the jobs small.Don’t let the process of getting organized trash your space. Disorganization is stressful and could lead to accidents such as tripping.
    • Target small specific areas one at a time. For example, go through a desk drawer, a small closet, or part of the basement.
    • Spend 15-20 minutes on the task. Clean up after yourself before you move on.
    • And, don’t try to do too much the first day. This process can be both physically and mentally exhausting.
  6. Pack and label small items as you sort.
    • Use bags for trash or unbreakable giveaway items. Label these bags very clearly with masking tape and markers as soon as you start filling them so you know which is which.
    • Box items to be moved to new home. Label boxes clearly on 2 sides.
    • For more packing tips check this post.
  7. Ask for help. Whether it be a family member, a friend or a company that specializes in organizing or moving seniors, having some support is great. Sorting through years of stuff is difficult and sometimes it can be emotionally painful. Take a little time to share the good memories as you work.

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In the Kingston, Ontario region, you can call upon Martha Stanton-Smith of Rearrangements Home Staging for all your home staging needs. Visit the Rearrangements website at http://rearrangements.ca. Be sure to download your free Special Report “Get Off The Home Selling Roller Coaster: 5 Reasons Houses Don’t Sell and What You Can Do About Them.”

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Packing Tips

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1. Pack carefully to prevent damage.
2. Take inventory and estimate replacement value of items as you pack items.
3. Invest in quality boxes. Boxes deteriorate with use. Don’t reuse them once they show wear and tear or softening.
4. Investing in same-size or standard sized moving boxes facilitates stacking.
5. Box everything you can. Seal with tape for stability and to keep out dust.
6. Original boxes are the best for electronics if you have kept them.
7. Wardrobe boxes are best protection for clothing that is usually stored by hanging.
8. Don’t pack in sealed plastic bags because trapped humidity may cause damage to contents.
9. Don’t pack so many heavy items in a box that you can’t lift it or the box is in danger of breaking.
10. If you have lots of books, invest in special smaller boxes for those.
10. Fill empty spaces in your boxes with paper or packing filler to avoid shifting of contents.
11. Wrap all breakables carefully. Bubble wrap is best but paper will do. Mark the boxes FRAGILE.
12. Label boxes well on more than one side.

What are your tips for packing?

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In the Kingston, Ontario region, you can call upon Martha Stanton-Smith of Rearrangements Home Staging for all your home staging needs. Visit the Rearrangements website at http://rearrangements.ca. Be sure to download your free Special Report “Get Off The Home Selling Roller Coaster: 5 Reasons Houses Don’t Sell and What You Can Do About Them.”

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Tips for Maximizing the Use of Your Off-Site Storage Unit

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items in storage chest

Now that you have decided to rent off-site storage, here are some helpful ways to make the best use of space and protect your items from damage.

General Tips:
1. Do not store food or items which will attract insects or rodents.
2. Do not store combustibles.
3. Check to make sure you have appropriate, adequate insurance coverage.

Appliance & Furnishing Storage Tips
1. Defrost, clean, drain and dry before storing appliances.
2. Tie appliance doors and lids shut for transport and wedge them open for storage.
3. Wrap mattresses in sheeting or mattress covers. Store them standing on ends. Set them on protective covering or raise them off the floor.
4. Disassemble tables, beds and the like to save space. Put small parts, nuts and bolts into a bag and tape to underside. Keep pieces stored together for easy retrieval.
5. Treat wood furniture with polish and condition leather before storing. Be sure to allow the treatment to cure before wrapping the items or their surfaces may be marked.
6. When piling up furniture, wrap with dust covers or moving blankets to prevent scratching.
7. After wrapping chair legs and high backs you can stack them seat to seat.
8. Take lampshades off and wrap them separately from the lamps.
9. Wrap mirrors and pictures in bubble wrap and store them on edge, not flat.

Storing Tools and Equipment
1. Drain all fuel from machinery or vehicles before storing. It’s flammable and smelly.
2. Oil metal tools before storing to prevent rusting.
3. Tie long handled tools in bundles for storage.
4. Store brooms and brushes with bristles up to prevent flattening them.
5. Before you store the vacuum cleaner, remove the dirt bag.

Packing Tips
1. Pack carefully to avoid having to re-pack for an eventual move.
2. Take inventory and estimate replacement value of items as you pack them.
3. Invest in quality boxes and beware that they deteriorate with use.
4. Investing in same-size boxes facilitates stacking.
5. Box everything you can. Seal with tape for stability and to keep out dust.
6. Original boxes are the best for electronics if you have them.
7. Wardrobe boxes are best protection for clothing.
8. Don’t pack in sealed plastic bags because trapped humidity may cause damage to contents.
9. Don’t pack so many heavy items in a box that you can’t lift it or the box is in danger of breaking.
10. Fill empty spaces in your boxes with paper or packing filler to avoid shifting of contents.
11. Wrap all breakables carefully. Bubble wrap is best but paper will do. Mark the boxes FRAGILE.
12. Label boxes well on more than one side.

Storing Photographs
1. Only put loose photographs in storage if absolutely necessary.
2. Separate them with cardboard and tie them in bundles to prevent curling.
3. Use climate controlled storage for photographs (as well as other items which could be damaged by heat or humidity.)

Arranging Items in Storage Unit
1. If floor may get damp, put down boards, pallets or protective sheeting.
2. Try to create an aisle to the back in all but the smallest units.
3. Store largest items first.
4. Try not to lean furniture against walls.
5. Do not lean heavy metal items against easily damaged items.
6. Fill insides of drawers, cupboards and even appliances with small boxes and items to use all the space.
7. Anything wobbly should be stored horizontally and not vertically.
8. Keep items you may need to access frequently closest to the front.
9. Stack boxes and similar sized items, being sure to put the heaviest on the bottom.
10. Turn the boxes so the labels can be seen.

Protective Measures Inside Your Unit
1. Consider adding your own moisture absorbers, deodorizers or pest repellants in your unit.
2. Fabric softener dryer sheets are good for both deodorizing and rodent repellant.
3. Baking soda in perforated boxes is a good deodorizer to store inside appliances.
4. If you use hanging bag style moisture absorbing products, ensure that they have secure drip pans and that the residue will not splash on unprotected items.

The next post will be “How Much Will Typical Storage Units Hold?” a handy reference chart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the Kingston, Ontario region, you can call upon Martha Stanton-Smith of Rearrangements Home Staging for all your home staging needs. Visit the Rearrangements website at http://rearrangements.ca. Be sure to download your free Special Report “Get Off The Home Selling Roller Coaster: 5 Reasons Houses Don’t Sell and What You Can Do About Them.”

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