Moving home checklist (Part two)

Once you have tackled the essential logistics involved in moving home as detailed in our blog on Wednesday well in advance of your actual moving out date, the house cleaning professionals at MOLLY MAID, recommend that you start focussing on giving your belongings some order in preparation for them to be packed up.

Moving is one of the most stressful things you can do, but a little planning on the day can help ensure you’re not tearing your hair out on moving day:

Protect your flooring: The last thing you want to happen is to either damage the floor of the property that you are moving out of, or the floor that you are moving into, so consider buying some sticky backed transparent floor covering available from DIY stores to cover carpets, or in the case of hardwood floors, flatten some cardboard boxes and lay them to protect your floor.

Packing up items: You will need plenty of cardboard boxes, newspaper and rolls of brown sticky tape and marker pens. Removal companies often provide these for you as part of the service.

Wrapping up delicate items: To ensure that your delicate items such as crockery and glass are protected during the move, wrap items individually and place in a box that’s been lined with several layers of newspaper and a sheet of bubble wrap. Any breakables should also be wrapped in bubble wrap. Use clean tissue or wrapping paper for the first layer to prevent newspaper print leaving marks. Pillows, blankets and towels are also useful for wrapping valuables and protecting furniture prone to dents and scratches.

Label all boxes: Whether you are moving yourself, or have asked a removal company to pack up and move you, it is really important to label each box with not just what room they will be going to, but also a brief descriptor, such as books, so that you have some hope of finding the kettle or your bedsheet in the first few days.

Heavy items: Always pack heavy items in small boxes and if using a large box, pack them at the bottom of the box. It will make transporting them easier. Also, it will keep the weight of all boxes to a minimum to avoid any back injuries and the bottom of the box falling out.

An ‘essentials’ box: Pack an ‘essentials’ box for the first night in your new home and carry it with you. Instant access to coffee, tea, snacks, cups and a kettle may be welcome soon after you arrive – particularly the packers and removal staff.

An overnight bag: Prepare an overnight bag for everyone in the family and ensure sure that there is enough toilet paper, some towels and wash bags for all.

Useful tools: These should be kept close to hand such as a torch, a first-aid kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, and re-closable plastic bags, along with a small tool kit.

Screws and blots: Affix all screws from beds, fridges and other appliances in small plastic bags and stick it to the relevant item with masking tape.

Pictures and Mirrors: The best way to protect pictures and mirrors is to flatten a cardboard box leaving both ends open and insert or wrap the flattened out piece of cardboard around the item. Then secure with brown tape avoiding contact with the picture or mirror.

Move the bed and set up: It times of stress and after a hectic day, the most important element is to settle you and your family into bed and to get some valuable sleep. So, move the bed into your new home first and start putting it together. This way you know that you have a bed to crawl into when the going could get tough.

Move furniture first then boxes: Move your furniture into the new house first, otherwise you’ll end up moving boxes around again to make room.

Important documents: Pack important documents together, such as birth and marriage certificates, insurance documents and documents relating to both properties and keep them in a safe place.

Lightbulbs: Ensure you have enough lightbulbs as you don’t want to have to go to the shops mid-move or not notice until suddenly it’s too dark to unpack boxes.

Top Tip: Do NOT completely fill large boxes, as they will be too heavy to move!

Good luck and here’s to much happiness in your new home!

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