"If you decide to do the packing yourself,

        you automatically assume a major portion of the responsibility for the success of the move -- including that of having everything properly packed and ready for loading when the truck arrives. All packing must and should be completed the evening before moving day. Only the things you'll need that night and the next morning should be left for last-minute packing."

-The QFM Movers

Get all of your supplies and boxes ready.   See Checklist of the Basics .

Now that you're ready, good packing means…

Limit cartons, where possible, to a maximum weight of 50 lbs. to make handling easier.

Wrapping items carefully. Providing plenty of cushioning to absorb shock. Using sturdy cartons that close. Making sure of a firm pack that will not rattle, bulge outward or bend inward.

When possible, do not mix items from different rooms in the same carton.

Start with out-of-season items. Next pack those things used infrequently. Leave until last the things you'll need until moving day.

Empty drawers, but leave them in the furniture, of breakables, spillables, books and/or video tapes and anything that would puncture or damage other items. If your not putting your items into storage, you can leave things like linens, clothing and such in the drawers.

Pack similar articles together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast iron frying pans, for example.

Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts, and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.

Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they will not dangle. Put plastic bags around the hoses of your washing machine and secure them with rubber bands to prevent leakage in transit.

Wrap items individually in clean paper: use tissue paper, paper toweling or even facial tissues for fine china, crystal and delicate articles. Colored wrapping draws attention to very small things that otherwise might be overlooked when unpacking. Use a double layer of newspaper for a good outer wrapping.

As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add additional crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer or use sheets of cardboard cut from cartons as dividers. Towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the article the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.

Build up in layers, with heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest ones on top.

Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped articles separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place the small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.

Avoid overloading the carton but strive for a firm pack which will prevent articles from shifting; the cover should close easily without forcing but should not bend inward.

Seal cartons tightly with tape. Please no "snow coned" or open topped boxes.

Another helpful step in locating items after you reach your destination would be as you finish with each carton, list it and an inventory of its contents in a special notebook. For your own use you may want to number and code the cartons as well.

Label cartons clearly by marking each carton on the upper right-hand top, side and end corners. When marked in this way, determining the contents of any carton in a stack is easier. Indicate the room to which the carton should be delivered at destination, e.g.: "Kitchen", "Family Room," "Master Bedroom."

If movers are sorting your boxes something helpful would be to tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels, so the movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly without having to ask the same questions over and over again. For your use, put a special mark on those cartons you want to unpack first upon your arrival.