One of the aspects of buying real estate is that many times the next thing we do is move. My earlier two articles dealt with getting over the shock and then getting into the planning mode. How are we going to deal with some of those large items that must be moved?

Packing Heavy Items

Moving anything that is big or heavy can require a lot of patience and strength. A bed really isn’t too bad to prepare for moving day. Take apart the bed frame first. Each piece should be marked so you can easily put it back together. Tie or tape the rails together. Remove any screws, nuts, or bolts. Place them in a plastic bag taped to the rails. The head and foot boards need to be wrapped in a large furniture pad. Mattresses can be protected better by leaving the sheets on them. A plastic mattress cover is another alternative. Books really add up in weight. If you have accumulated a large collection, it is a good time for you to go through them. A yard sale or second hand bookstores are good alternatives for the books you don’t want. Each box should not exceed 30 pounds. Fill in box space with paperback books. Alternating the bindings with every few books will help keep the stack s level. Tape each box shut and label is books.

Moving an Armoire – A Great packing crate

There are some items that may seem difficult to pack, but there is a way to pack nearly everything. An armoire is something you might have to pack, but it can also be a great place to pack in. Lightweight items like lamp shades, pillows, or hanging clothes are suitable to put in the armoire. Do not pack CDs, TVs games, or cards in the armoire. These types of items will just be damaged or messed up in the process. If your armoire has drawers, fill them with newspaper and tape them shut if they are not too heavy. This space may also be used to put lightweight items like pillows. Lock the doors if possible or tie the handles together. An old blanket or large padding should be wrapped around the armoire to keep it safe in the moving process.

Moving the Bureaus –

Each home has a unique situation as far as what is being moved. Some homes will have a bureau to move. If you do, there are some tips to help ease any problems. The bureau drawers should be emptied out to help eliminate much of the weight. Put the items from the drawers into suitcases for the move. Smaller, more fragile items can be put in the drawers. Use bubble wrap or towels to cushion the articles. Taping the drawers may cause damage to the finish, so it should be avoided. Secure a large pad around the bureau with rope. Chairs should be packed with bubble wrap or newspaper taped around them. If your chairs have slipcovers, leave them on as protection. If not, cover the chairs with large flat sheets. Cover each chair with furniture pads.

Moving Your Computer

For this one I consulted with an expert. Computers are pricey pieces of equipment that need to make a safe trip to your new home. To help you get your computer to your new home, there are some different ways to pack. First: locate the instruction booklets for each component and review the manufactures instructions for moving. The following is a just a guide, use the professional advice from the manufacturer if there is any conflict between their advice and this article.

Before you begin unplugging or loading anything, it is a good idea to back up all the files on your computer. Disks or CDs should be packed in a separate location, but with nothing magnetic. The snakes of wires and cables should be color coded with their corresponding hole. Once your computer is completely cooled off, put each part into a (static free) plastic bag to keep them clean during the move.  The original boxes are excellent ways to move computer equipment, however, if you don’t have it, use double boxes. Use Styrofoam pieces to safely pack your equipment. Use static free sleeves where needed. Remove the print cartridges from the printer if the manufacture advises you to do so.  Always consult and follow the manufactures advice. If you can not locate your manual, check the online website for the manufacturer. Mark each box as fragile –computer- and which end is up.

When disassembling the computer, write the steps down so that you can reverse the process when you reassemble it. Good luck.

All this talk about moving has really tired me out. I am off to check on the boxes I saved when I purchased some of the above items. Do I need to get some bubble wrap?