Handy hints for packing & storing well.

Before you start packing

• Get quality boxes in a couple of different sizes. Put heavy stuff in small boxes, light stuff in big ones.
• Stock up on packing tape, bubble wrap, old blankets/sheets and a marker pen.
• Do a rough plan: what goes at the back (long-term) and what stays near the front (you might need).

Furniture

• Pull apart what you can. Bed frames, table legs, bookshelves etc. and keep any screws in a labelled bag taped to the item.
• Cover couches and mattresses with sheets or blankets, not plastic (plastic sweats and causes mould).
• Stand mattresses on their side against a wall and put a sheet down first so they don't pick up dust.
• Place cardboard on either side of photos, paintings and mirrors, and tape them together. Mark as "FRAGILE" and stack on their ends.
• China/breakables: wrap each piece in newspaper or bubble wrap, pack into a sturdy box, then fill any gaps with rolled-up paper. Give the box a gentle shake - if things rattle, add more packing.

Whiteware & Appliances

• Empty, defrost, clean and dry out fridges and freezers a day or two before you move them, otherwise you'll come back to a musty smell (or worse!).
• Store fridges with the doors slightly open so air can move.
• Coil the power cord neatly and tape it to the back so nothing gets snagged.
• Electronics: take out all batteries before storing. Left in for months they can leak and ruin the device.

Clothes & Bedding

• Wash and fully dry everything before storing. Damp fabric goes musty fast.
• Use vacuum bags to shrink clothes and bedding down to a fraction of the size.
• For hanging clothes, a wardrobe box keeps things crease-free.

Tools

• Wipe metal tools down with a lightly oiled rag to keep rust off.
• Drain fuel from lawnmowers, weed-eaters and chainsaws before they go in. It's safer and ensures no leaks.
• Group tools into toolboxes, crates or a barrel so you easily find them.

Loading the unit

• Put the heaviest items on the floor, with lighter boxes stacked on top.
• Leave a walkway down the middle of the unit so you can reach the back without having to move things.
• Label every box on more than one side, and keep a quick list of what's where.
• Store items on pallets or off the floor if you can. It helps with air flow.

Hazardous items

Don't store anything that is combustible or perishable. Unsuitable items include:

• Petrol / gasoline
• Paint / paint thinner
• Solvents
• Living things (including plants)
• Food that will spoil