Perfect Packing Plan with Robinsons

Moving home can be a stressful time and can drive you and your family round the bend.

In fact there is so much to think about and organise that packing can be a last minute dash with everything hurled into one box, into the van, to arrive at your new house in a complete mess!

Well to give you that helping hand, we have come up with a Perfect Packing Plan so you can organise your personal belongings to arrive in one piece to your new home.

From your kitchen to our shed, our professional tips give you all the information you need to get your belongings from A to B so you can spend the rest of your time worrying about the bills, insurance and the kids.

Let’s start packing the Kitchen!

• Sharp knives? If you have a knife block keep them all inside and wrap carefully. If you knives are loose wrap separately for your safety and protection.
• Put a pot in a pot! Utilise the space inside your pots and pan with other kitchen appliances so you have less boxes to carry. Invert the lid of your pots and pans, placing the handle down.
• Wrap each of your glasses separately in tissue or wrapping paper. Make sure you write FRAGILE on the box when finished.
• Wrap plates so they stand on their edge rather than placing them one on top of the other. The box will weigh much more. Do this with saucers, side plates and platters.
• Individually wrap dishes and place them on top of the other as you would do in your cupboard. Cups and dishes can be wrapped in 4’s with a layer of bubble wrap separating each dish. Pack the top dish with scrunched newspaper.
• Put bottles of wine and spirits into wine boxes. Any damage to these bottles can cause further problems to other belongings inside the box.
• Pack small appliances into their original packaging. If this is not available then find a box which it will fit inside and wrap it with tissue paper. Further wrap it in bubble wrap to keep it secure.
• Dry out refrigerators and freezers.
• For larger appliances, strip all lose fittings and movable parts and cushion were possible

Moving onto the Lounge

• Pack houseplants in tall boxes to prevent foliage.
• Use protective plastic or bags for your armchair and sofas.
• Wrap your best furniture in bubble wrap or furniture blankets to protect it from dust and mites and from being scratched during the move.
• It would be easier to take your furniture apart but remember to pack all parts together and nuts and bolts stores in resealable bags, labelled so you know how to put it back together in your new home.
• Dissemble lamps and place the bases in the boxes stuffed with packing paper and bubble wrap. Pack lampshades individually into boxes with plenty of packing paper and stuffing. Don’t use newspaper and the ink will run onto your furniture.
• Vacuum all carpets and rugs, roll them up in a plastic cover then secure with handy wrap.
• Tape an X over all mirrors and paintings framed with glass. Wrap with bubble wrap. Small mirrors can be packed into boxes. It is best to put large picture frames and mirrors in purpose-made picture boxes. Make sure you mark GLASS on the outside of the box to prevent it from being mishandled.
• Make sure tv’s and stereos are well padded on both sides.
• Pack CD’, games and DVD’s into purpose built boxes. The same goes for any records you have. Make sure that you mark the box as Fragile.
• Wrap all small ornaments, fragile items in tissue paper or bubble wrap and put into boxes. Pack ornaments in their own separate boxes.

Let’s tackle the Dining Room

• Wrap all chair legs and chair arms to prevent scratching. Bundle all armless in pairs, seat to seat, with a folded blanket or other padding between and tie seats together.
• All larger table legs should be taken apart, wrapped and tied together. Place all nuts and bolts into resealable bag and label so you know where they go when it comes to reassembling them. Us a furniture blanket to cover table tops.
• Wrap smaller table tops in a furniture blanket and wrap legs together to prevent scratching.
• All china and glassware should be wrapped separately. A good idea would be to use seven sheets of tissue paper, start from the corner and continually wrap around, tucking in overlapping edges. Make sure everything is completely cushioned to prevent breakage. Mark box FRAGILE-THIS SIDE UP when packing.
• Protect your silver pieces from tarnishing by completely enclosing them in tissue paper and bubble wrap.
• If your silverware is kept in a chest, fill the drawers with tissue paper and bubble wrap to prevent it from moving around during the move.

And for the Bedrooms

• Duvets, pillows and lighter bulky items are best strapped with handywrap and then stored in extra large boxes. You could even put fragile items inside the boxes, but just don’t forget that they are there.
• Take your bedframes to bits. Keep all items together with handywrap and store all nuts and bolts in a self seal bag. Make sure you label each bag and don’t mix it with other furniture as it will be a nightmare to reassemble.
• Protect your mattress with a mattress cover or a large plastic sheet.
• All hung clothing is best stored inside a wardrobe box – simply move the hangers straight into the box. Place shoes at the bottom. Wardrobe boxes can also act as temporary storage units until you find the time to unpack properly. Loose clothing in drawers is best stored in suitcases or suitcase boxes.
• For books, use only book boxes as they get heavy, very fast. Use the sides of the box to slide paper backs down if there is free space. Lay the books flat inside the box to avoid bending the spine.
• Place all curtain rails and blinds in a protective bag and secure with handy-wrap.
• Dressers – Fill the drawers with loose items and cushion with loose clothing. Don’t overfill them as this will make it harder to carry. Seal the drawers with tap or a lock so they don’t open when carrying.
• Any valuables should be kept with you at all times. Jewellery should be placed into small containers making sure that they don’t get tangled up.

Last, but not least, the Garden Shed

• Loosen, lower and turn bicycle handlebars at right angles to save space. Clean all chains and cover the pedals with corrugated card to prevent other items from being snagged or soiled.
• Drain lawnmowers before packing away. Remove the handle from lawnmower and place blade end in sturdy box.
• Drain hoses and pack into a box. Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden hand tools, etc small brooms, shovels and other long handled tools together with handywrap.

If packing ins’t really your thing, why not leave it in the hands of removals company Robinsons. Professionally trained in packing and shipping peoples personal belongings around the world, Robinsons can take care of your move so you don’t have to.