Packing Dish-ware

• Select a medium-sized carton (or mover provided dishpack) and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper.
• With packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work table, center one plate on the paper.
• Grasp a corner on several sheets of packing paper and pull the paper over the plate until sheets completely cover the plate. Stack a second plate on and, moving clockwise, grasp a second corner and pull sheets over the second plate.  
• Stack a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.
• Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.  
• Re-wrap the entire bundle: start with one corner of packing paper and pull two sheets over the bundle, cover bundle with next corner, then the third corner; and finally, the fourth.
• Seal the bundle with packing tape.  
• Place the bundle of dish-ware in a medium-size box so that the plates are standing on edge

Use this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantity.

Packing Pointers
Before actually packing-up, you need to have a game plan. For example:

• Pack one room at a time. This will help you when it comes time to unpack.
• Pack a couple of cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.
• Mark all boxes, designating room and box number. Make a carton identification log to show the number of boxes packed per room, and the total number of cartons packed. It's a good idea to leave space in your log for a special comments section to note carton conditions or location of high value goods. Notify your mover of any high value items.  
• Be sure to have plenty of "filling" material available.
• Be sure that the bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents, ask your moving company.  
• Packing tape or gummed tape is better than masking tape.
• Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. A general rule to remember on carton size -- the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.

Packing Materials
Use only strong, corrugated cartons with covers. We can supply you with specially made cartons, for everything from mattresses to clothing and mirrors. The added protection of mover-provided cartons may avoid damage that results from the use of poor-quality packing materials. Your alternative is to collect boxes discarded by your grocery or liquor store. Save old newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink may rub off and stain clothing or other items. *WARNING: Insect eggs and insects such as roaches can travel in food boxes.
Keep this in mind when getting boxes from food stores. Here's a list a packing supplies that will come in handy:

• Plastic bags and labels for easy identification.
• Foam peanuts, Styrofoam pellets or "popcorn."
• Tissue or craft paper for delicate packing jobs.  
• Corrugated paper rolls for figurines and fragile items.
• Gummed tape (1 1/2 to 2 inches wide) and/or strong twine for sealing cartons.  
• Markers and labels for identifying contents of cartons.
• Notebook and pencil for carton identification log. 
• Scissors and/or sharp knife.

MOVING TIPS

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• Clear out unwanted goods – hold a garage sale.
• Get rid of flammables – paint, petrol, gas cylinders.
• Empty fuel from mowers, clippers, trimmers and so on.
• Clothes – do you need them all? Charity shops may want them.  
• Separate books – disposable, family reading, valuable.
• Check all electrical goods – will they work in the new home?  
• Start making up your change of address list.
• Arrange to have mail forwarded.  
• Arrange termination date for electricity, gas, oil, telephone and other main suppliers.
• If you are taking electrical goods such as a stereo, see if you still have their original boxes.  
• Have rugs cleaned.
• If you have children, separate cherished toys to travel with you.  
• Round up personal documentation – marriage/birth certificates, driving licenses and so on.
• Keep passports separate so they are not packed.  
• Want to take the car? Check on import regulations and the duty payable.
• With regards to family pets– make sure vaccinations and documentation are up to date.  
• Will your new home be ready? If not, you need to arrange temporary storage.
• Shops, schools, theaters, life styles – it’s never too early to find out about your new home.
• Start running down freezer stocks.
• Arrange your finances – close or transfer bank accounts, savings accounts and so on, if necessary contact few moving companies in advance.

7 days before your move, have you … Defrosted the refrigerator/freezer
Planned simple meals for moving day to avoid using appliances.
Separated luggage items you need for personal travel.
Cleaned garden tools, bicycles and any other gardening equipment.
Emptied the tanks of powered tools such as mowers.
Checked you have enough medication for at least two weeks, and ensure you have copies of any necessary prescriptions for use at destination.
Collected travelers checks or local currency.
Arranged for someone to look after the children on moving day. 

Moving day. Relax

4 weeks before you move, have you … Decided which clothes travel with you?
Started to dismantle climbing frames/garden furniture?
Agreed an insurance value and terms with your mover?
Made arrangements of connection of services at your new home?
Returning library books.
Canceled milk, newspapers, subscriptions.
Found new homes for your plants.

6 weeks before you move, have you … Separated favorite toys?
Made sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date?
Arranged for mail to be forwarded?
Decided whether or not to buy any new household goods - check tax refunds.