How best to pack for a whole house move?

Wrap everything in newspaper.

Hi Pat,

Hire movers that do the packing and moving, they have the skill and products to keep your treasures safe and organized, plus they are insured in case the worst happens. This will take a lot of stress off you.

Best to you.

Bubble wrap if you are going to DIY. You can buy it in rolls. Our shipping department uses it here and we never have items damaged, even when shipping UPS or Fed Ex.

Pat: I recently downsized from a three bedroom home. For the move I packed my fragile-ish items in my towels, sheets, blankets... Be careful when unwrapping!

I always move some things myself in my vehicle. Things like jewelry, things that are really delicate, my china and crystal, electronics like computers, laptops, etc. and their associated cords. Chargers for things that are used a lot like your phone. I usually take some things to tide over until unpacking is done, easy meals like Hamburger Helper, spaghetti, soups, etc and enough silverware, plates, bowls, cups, etc. for each person, or get the single use. If you use a mover, it may be a day or two before they deliver, or before you can unpack everything. Make sure you also take a couple of days of clothes, outer wear, etc. so you don't have to search before you unpack. I also take important papers in my vehicle, that way you know where they are in case they are needed. If I am just moving across town, I will keep things like flat screen TV's, and other sensitive things in the car, a car rides much smoother than a moving van. Plants are temperature sensitive and some are kind of fragile and prone to breaking off, and should go in the vehicle where you know you can get them in the house right away if it is cold.

Hi Pat! I have moved about 24 times in my adult life, and only about 3 of those with professional movers. Since we are older now, we usually hire professionals to only move the heavy appliances, furniture. Pinterest has tons of ideas to help you move. Type in PACK IT UP and that will bring up my pinterest board on moving and packing. ##I use bins that I buy on sale and on the outside of the bin, I write everything down that I put into that bin (yes it sounds time consuming but believe me it is well worth your time). If you move somewhere & are not able to get to most of your stuff, or if you have to store your things, you will have them all marked carefully and you will know which one to go to if you are looking for something. For Instance for the kitchen. KITCHEN: Pots and pans. KITCHEN: plastic food containers. KITCHEN: Silverware. Knives. Utensils. KITCHEN: Dinner plates. Cups. ##When I begin packing, I do one room at a time. The kitchen I always save until last since you normally are going to use the kitchen. ##The very first thing I do is go through my things and make piles. 1: Throw out. 2: Thrift/Give away 3: Pack. ##I even use my old luggage with wheels to put my recipe books & other books in, and all you have to do is pull the handle and roll it out! ##Clothes: I don't pack my clothes hanging in the closet, I use extra large garbage bags, and put a hole at the bottom so you can pull it down over your clothes, and if it has ties, the ties will be at the bottom, and you can tie those together to secure. I use my bath towels/hand towels to wrap breakable items. I use my kitchen towels to help wrap my glassware. NOTE: Bubble wrap is great for packing so things don't break. You can buy it in rolls on Amazon. For your dinner ware (plates etc.) I simply take inexpensive paper plates and line between the plates, and bubble wrap all around that whole pile of plates. The important thing is do one room at a time, label it with all things in each bin or cardboard box you have. If you use cardboard boxes, I always make handles by cutting the sides on each side make a hole to carry them with. DO NOT MAKE YOUR BINS OR BOXES TOO HEAVY!!! Do a room. Finish it. Close the door. Go to the next room and same process. Once you get started you will get the hang of it! Don't let it overwhelm you. Just be sure to label your bins or boxes very carefully. Some boxes I even marked--STORAGE and labeled what was inside: Old photos. Photo albums. CDs. Those things can be stored until you are ready to go through them. ##My oldest sister just moved from a home they lived in for 55 years. I helped her pack. She had a lifetime of things and I helped her do one room at a time starting with the attic. Don't despair. You are going to a new home. You are beginning a new adventure. Again, go to PINTEREST, type in PACK IT UP & that will bring my moving board up for you. Good luck and happy trails!

Label everything,pack one room at a time,unpack one room at a time,pack items you'll need ASAP upon arrival so they are easily accessed & you have them while you are sorting out everything else. Keep anything of any value(dollar wise or sentimentally) with you do not ship or have someone move for you. Get storage unit(if you have $) or put in unused areas(garage extra rooms) until you have more time to sort thru it all. Get rid of/donate many items as you are packing it may be time to purge some stuff. ENJOY your new home!!!

Packers from the moving companies are very very expensive. You have lots of great suggestions here.

Make a master list by room. In each room, label and number the boxes, i.e. master Bedroom box 1 of _. When the entire room is packed, count the boxes and fill in the blanks. Write down the general contents of each box on your master list.

That way you know exactly how many boxes you have and will know if something is missing.

When you reach your new destination, do not toss or recycle or give away any boxes until you have checked it off your list.

And try and purge as you pack if at all possible. If you donate, get receipts for your tax returns.