Wardrobe moving boxes can make it easy to move your clothes without wrinkles and snags ruining some of your items. The obvious first step is to hang anything that you don’t want to fold from the metal bars inside the wardrobe boxes. Jackets, dresses and blouses should be first. Make sure you use every inch available so the hangers don’t have space to slide back and forth. This will prevent things from falling off. Bags, ties and similar items can be placed on the hangers as well –Simply put them on top of the clothing. Don’t be afraid of hanging several items on the same hanger. Simply stock them carefully, making sure the smallest one are at the bottom (so they don’t stretch).

Items that you don’t mind folding should be placed in large shopping bags and put at the bottom of the moving boxes. Try placing similar items together, so you end up with bags of sweaters, t-shirts and jeans. Purses can also be placed in bags and at the bottom of the wardrobe boxes , but make sure not to squash them. Pack the moving boxes as tightly as possible to prevent shifting.

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As you prepare to pack and move, you probably are keeping track of the big things, such as buying moving boxes, contracting the moving company and getting your stuff packed. In the chaos of the move, however, it’s easier to forget the smaller things. Things that can make the move a lot less painful and the start of your new life a lot easier.

1. Let everybody know you’re moving. This includes the post office (so they can forward your email), magazines you subscribe to, friends and family members, and bill collectors and credit card companies.

2. Talk to your insurance company to inform them about your new address and to ensure coverage continues without interruption.

3. Call companies to schedule turning off your utilities at your old home and turning them on at your new address. You can arrange this in advance and simply give them a date and time (morning, mid-afternoon or end of the day).

4. Find out in advance if you need special paperwork to move your pets with you. If you are planning on stopping en route and sleeping in a hotel, make sure to call in advance and find out if they accept pets. Make a reservation if possible.

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Moving out of a rental place is a lot different than selling your house and moving. For starters, moving dates are usually not flexible. This means you will have to much of the prep work in advance and ensure that everything is packed in moving boxes and out the door by the time you’re meant to turn the keys in. Not doing so could result in penalties or problems with the landlord. Depending on your lease contract, you may need to give advance notice about the move. The requirement is usually 30 or 60 days and you may have to forgo the security deposit if you’re moving before your lease is officially over.

When packing household items in boxes, keep your camera out. It’s always a good idea to take photos of any damage you caused, so they are properly documented in case of a disagreement. This is especially important if you had previous run-ins with the landlord and have a reason to believe he may try to keep the deposit. If possible, arrange for the landlord to tour the place with you after you’ve finished packing all your boxes. That way there’s no mistake about what’s going and what’s staying.

Before the tour, make sure you clean the apartment. You don’t have to shine the floors or shampoo the rugs, but make the place presentable. And always place all the cardboard boxes (already sealed with tape) in a single room, so you can move around freely and inspect every corner.

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1. Place heavy items at the bottom of the moving boxes and lighter items on top, even if they’re made of resistant material. This will ensure that they’re not crushed or broken by the weight.
2. Tape the bottom of the moving boxes to ensure that they don’t open or break during transport, risking the contents. Tape the top to prevent moving boxes from opening and the contents spilling.
3. Use lots of bubble wrap or foam pellets around fragile items. The more, the better. Larger items can also be wrapped with a moving blanket to prevent scratches or chips.
4. Make sure cardboard boxes are not underfilled, as this can cause them to crush when piled. If there’s empty space at the top, use it to pack blankets, towels or other cushioning items that can play double duty and provide additional protection.
5. Clearly label the moving boxes as Fragile. Use waterproof markers or better yet, buy red stickers with the word Fragile on them, which are easier to spot even at a distance.

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If you’re packing and moving your fridge, there are some steps you need to follow in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.

• Turn off the refrigerator and empty it at least 48 hours before it has to be packed. This will melt any ice residues left inside, as well as dissipate any lingering odors (keep the door open to accelerate the process).
• For persistent odors, place an open box of baking soda inside the fridge. Clean with warm water and dish soap.
• Remove any lose parts such as drawers and shelves. Wrap those pieces with bubble wrap and pack them securely into a cardboard box.
• Secure the door with moving supplies such as stretch wrap, packing tape or tie a cord around the fridge to prevent the door from moving and banging. Electrical cords should be taped against the back of the fridge.
• Wrap the refrigerator with moving blankets to prevent scratches and chips.
• Use a heavy-duty dolly to move the fridge or leave it to professional movers. It will not only save you from back pain, but will also ensure that the fridge remains in top shape.
• Because fridges should be transported vertically (to prevent compressor oil from damaging the coils), it’s important that the item is secured inside the truck using ropes or being placed in between other heavy-duty items. Shifting can cause damage not only to the refrigerator but also to the moving boxes and furniture around it.

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When packing and moving, one of the major considerations is making sure things make it to their destination in the best possible condition. If you’re hiring a full-service moving company, packers will ensure that everything is packed securely, as the insurance the company provides partially depends on this. However, if you’re packing the items yourself, you need to follow a few simple rules if you want to ensure that your grandmother’s china will make it across the country in one piece.

When in doubt, wrap it again. Add additional paper, use moving supplies such as bubble wrap or moving blankets to protect delicate items. You can also cover the inside of a box with any of the three items before you place any objects inside to ensure nothing will break even if the boxes bump into each other.

Make it tight. Don’t leave extra space for items inside a cardboard box to ship or slide. This will cause things to crash against one another and increase the chances that items will chip or scratch. If there’s empty space in the corners or at the top, use bubble wrap or paper to fill it out.

Stick to smaller packing boxes. Large moving boxes are heavier, more likely to break or sag and less likely to be filled to the brim with stuff. As a note always fill empty space in your boxes with crumbled packing paper or newspaper.

Label the packing boxes. Buy Fragile stickers to indicate which cardboard boxes need to be handled with extra care.

Don’t pack anything that has sentimental value. Insurance from the moving company will not cover items with sentimental value, such as photo albums, documents or even DVDs. If you bear the idea of losing something, take it along rather than putting it away with the rest of the items to be shipped.

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