Packing goes faster when you do it in passes instead of room by room in a panic. This checklist breaks the work into five stages, and each one has a plain finish line so you know when it is done.
Pass one: supplies and a plan
Count your rooms and gather boxes in three sizes, packing paper, tape, markers and bubble wrap. The packing calculator estimates the number of boxes, and the boxes and supplies page lists what the Sparks office sells. Your in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes.
Pick a label system before the first box is taped. Write the room, a short list and a number on the side, not the top, so the label is readable in a stack.
- Small boxes for books and heavy items.
- Medium boxes for kitchen, toys and small appliances.
- Large boxes for linens, pillows and lampshades.
- Wardrobe boxes or a rod for hanging clothes.
Pass two: rooms you rarely use
Start with the attic, basement, guest room and garage shelves. These rooms hold things you will not miss for weeks. Sort as you go: keep, donate, recycle, discard. See the garage packing guide for tools and chemicals.
Remove anything a mover cannot carry. Aerosols, propane, fuel, paint and similar items are on the hazardous list; the what movers will not move guide explains it, and EPA's household hazardous waste page tells you how to dispose of them.
Pass three: everyday rooms
Next come the living room, bedrooms and office. Wrap framed pictures, pack books in small boxes, and photograph the wiring behind electronics. Leave a few days of clothing out. The room by room guide gives the order, and the home office guide covers electronics.
Pass four: kitchen and bathroom
These rooms go last because you use them every day. Pack plates on edge with paper between them, wrap glasses individually, and put liquids in sealed bags. Pack pantry goods you intend to keep and use up or donate the rest. The kitchen guide and dishes guide go through it step by step.
Pass five: the last-night bag
Pack one bag per person with clothes, medicine, chargers, toiletries and documents. Keep a box of cleaning supplies and tools out for the final walk-through. A first-night box for the new home saves a search for sheets at midnight.
If you would rather hand part of this to professionals, partial packing and full packing are both available. Call 775-359-6683 to talk it through.