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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

packing up my house for move.

40 replies

BooyHoo · 31/05/2011 21:38

starting tomorrow.

any tips?

OP posts:
itshappenedagain · 01/06/2011 20:01

hello! having moved only 7 weeks agao and survived it, i would like to offer you a few pointers.

  1. get twice as many boxes and tape as you think you will need, i had a 2 bedroom house, small and in total had 108 boxes, plus 15 binbags ( i have 2 kids 4 and 10 months.
  1. start with the clothes, bin baga s many as you can and live on the bare essentials, this will alo solve the problem of a big wash pile to either do before or just after you move.
  1. be ruthless with the shit that you dont need, the more you have the longer it takes to pack and then unpack!
  1. ensure you label everything...i would say write a list of contents on the box, or alternatively, do as i did get a book number the boxes and write it in there.
  1. keep a bag with all essentail paperwork in to hand. i.e bank books, check books, insurance documents, birth certs etc. make sure you inform school of change of address if necessary.
  1. pack a bag for you, DH? and children? so that the evening of the move you have clean pjs a toothbrush and clean underwear for the next day.
  1. have a bag to hand of biscuits/ kettle/tea/juice/coffee and possibly a tip for the removal men or sweets etc?
  1. like me you aren't moving far so be prepared for a quick removal i was out of one house and into another within 2 hours...ensure all the boxes have where you want them to go really clearly marked on them, because apparently removal men cant read well and will still ask you even if it is written on every side of the box. i would advise colour coding...much easier! also if you can put post its in the spaces each applicance is going in so tey dont leave the tumble dryer, dishwasher, washing machine etc in the middle of the kitchen!
  1. be prepared to stand at the front door barking orders directing them into the correct room (See above) although thy did ask me to do that!
  1. be safe in the knowledge that it will all be over soon, and then you have to unpack and the fun begins again!
Original poster
BooyHoo · 01/06/2011 20:13

thank you itshappened!! that is a very good list.

i bought a pack of 4 different coloured permanent markers, packing tape and a notebook today. couldn't get masking tape (not sure if i will need it but would rather have it incase) so i will be going to another shop tomorrow and will get some post-its. is tehre anything else you think i should get while i'm out?

i spent today clearing all non-essentials from the living room, so curtains, throws, cushions, lamps, books and most of teh toys are up in teh spare room which i am using as a packing/box storage room til we move.

OP posts:
kingbeat23 · 01/06/2011 21:08

If you can, clean the place you are about to move into jut before you move in there. and clean most of the things you are packing so you are not unpacking and cleaning at the same time. (if possible at all that is)

whomovedmychocolate · 01/06/2011 21:08

Wind down your food cupboards and freezer.

Take the time NOW to clean everything - you will NOT want to do it when you arrive and things are surprisingly horrid if they've been in a kitchen near the hob etc. So wash it before you pack it.

Original poster
BooyHoo · 01/06/2011 21:52

good idea about cleaning before i pack things. going to ask the new landlord if i can have the key for a few hours the day before moving in so i can clean. or would she be offended by that? Confused

OP posts:
kingbeat23 · 01/06/2011 22:15

Im HA so had the keys a couple of weeks before so was able to get the floors laid before i moved in. Parents came and srubbed to house top to toe for me just before i moved in and still only have to keep on top of things now, I think if id have had to manage the move in both places, find a new nursery AND clean when i finally settled i would have happily killed people, either that or just not done it. VERY glad it was done.

WWMC - great minds love, great minds Grin

snice · 01/06/2011 22:21

Dont forget anything outside the house eg garden sheds/pots/benches/garden furniture
also remember attic/cellar
do all the pictures and books/cds/dvds now-half fill the boxes then top up with lighter items like cushions
have a bag of clean bedlinen packed and with you on the day-make up the beds as the first thing you do when you arrive - you will be so glad you did later that evening!

Original poster
BooyHoo · 01/06/2011 22:27

good idea about the bedlinen. i have no bed in the new house so it will be the airbed for a while. still, it's easier to assemble than a bedframe! Grin

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 01/06/2011 22:31

Bicarb of soda is the thing to clean the inside of your fridge btw, don't use fragranced stuff, it can taint the food for months afterwards.

The removal firm told me the things that get forgotten most are wall clocks and things on the back of the doors.

Original poster
BooyHoo · 01/06/2011 22:39

ooh i am well versed on the uses of bicarb. i have a book dedicated to it. and one for vinegar too!! Blush

OP posts:
itshappenedagain · 02/06/2011 22:12

would also like to add try and keep things for the same room in that room...i.e. master bedroom stuff in master bedroom, it makes it easier for the removal people if its all together. oh and if your leaving a rental property as yu take pics etc off walls take out the picture hooks and fill in holes immediately, i got my full deposit back because of this.

Original poster
BooyHoo · 03/06/2011 01:45

thanks i hadn't thought of the holes left in the walls. will get in some polyfiller? for that.

OP posts:
m2cmw · 20/02/2017 08:51

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Ursaminor · 20/02/2017 22:23

All boxes / furniture to have a coloured post-it sellataped on, to match the coloured post-it taped on the door of the room it is to go into.

Ursaminor · 20/02/2017 22:24

Oops -- didn't notice that this is a zombie thread.

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