How To Pack Small Appliances
You'll need:
- Blank newsprint or your own towels and linens
- Medium-sized boxes
Tip: Don't use plastic peanuts or shredded newsprint, which
could get into the machines and cause damage.
How to pack:
- Group kitchen appliances, like blenders and toasters,
or other small household appliances, like hand- held vacuums
and telephones, two or three to a box. (Make sure they're
clean)
- Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped, and
then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint (wadded
up, not shredded) or your towels and sheets.
- Put the appliances in and pad them well all around with
packing material.
- Then put another layer of packing materials on top, seal
the box, and mark it "Kitchen Appliances." Now
you're good to go!
How To Pack Large Appliances
We're talking washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners,
and refrigerators - the big stuff! Before you pack any of
it, read your users manual for each appliance to make sure
there aren't more special moving preparations you'll need
to make. Also consider servicing all your appliances a week
or two before you move, if you haven't done it in a while.
You'll need:
- Tape
- Large pads and rope
- Your towels and linens, clothes, and stuffed animals
(that's right, stuffed animals) for washing machines
- Baking soda for a washing machine and refrigerator
A washing machine
- Do your laundry a couple of days before you're ready
to move.
- Do your best to drain all the water out of the washer.
If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways
to empty out any remaining water. Then dry the interior
completely with a towel.
- Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in
a plastic bag.
- Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the
tub to keep the tub from rotating.
- Fill the basket with clothes, linens, and stuffed animals
(that's rights, stuffed animals). Also include a box of
baking soda (designed so you don't have to tear open the
top of the box) to cut down on mildew.
- Tape the lid and electrical cord down, then tie a large
pad around the outside. Now you're done!
A dryer
- Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer
and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely roll the
hose and place it in the dryer basket.
- Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door
down.
- Tie a large pad around the outside of the dryer. You're
done!
A refrigerator
- One day before moving, empty out the contents of your
refrigerator and allow it to defrost. (Eat what you can,
then give the rest away to neighbors - never transport
perishable food.)
- Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and
drain out your automatic icemaker.
- Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves.
- Some refrigerators have "leveling rollers," which
are wheels that raise and lower each corner of the refrigerator
so it is even. Check your manual to see whether you should
raise or lower them for the move.
- Wrap shelves (especially if they are glass) and tape
them together. Tape down all other loose parts, including
the drawers on the inside and the electrical cord and doors
on the outside.
- Tie a large pad around it. That's it!
A stove
- Clean the oven and stovetop.
- Place all the oven racks on the bottom rung and tape
them down.
- Tape down the burners and the protective pans under each
burner.
- Tape the electrical cord and door to the stove (lock
the door, if you can), then tie a large pad around it.
You're done!
A dishwasher
- Remove all dishes and tape down the racks and silverware
basket.
- See your manual for removing and draining the water hook-up.
- Close and lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape
the hose and cord to the dishwasher.
- Tie a large pad around it. That's all!
An air conditioner
- If your air conditioner's in use, shut if off the day
before so the coils can dry and cool off.
- Remove and clean or replace the filter.
- Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not
the back, where the coils are).
- Use the original box, if you have it, or another large
appliance box well padded with wadded up newsprint. (Don't
use Styrofoam peanuts, which could get inside the air conditioner
and cause problems later.)
- If you don't have a box, tie two large pads around it
to protect the coils. That's it!
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