Packing all of your clothes and knick-knacks was a breeze, but now you’ve made it into the kitchen, and you don’t even know where to begin. What’s the best way to pack all of those small, fragile appliances such as microwaves, toasters, and blenders? The experts at AAA Movers in Minneapolis have been packing these kinds of items for decades and have passed on 7 simple steps to take to ensure all of your appliances arrive safe, secure, and in great working order. Before you get started, here are all the supplies that you’ll need: TIME TO GET PACKING Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to get packing. 1. Gather all the appliances together We can’t stress enough how important it is to stay organized through every step of the moving process. This begins with bringing together all of the items you plan to pack first. If you’re just grabbing appliances from around the room as you go, you run the risk of missing items, or at the very least you’ll be less efficient about fitting them into the right boxes. Another piece of advice: If you have any appliances you don’t think you’ll need right away, try to group those items together into the same boxes. That way it’ll be much easier to store them at your new place until you do need them. 2. Clean each item thoroughly A lot of people skip this step in order to save time, but that could prove to be unwise. Not only is cleaning your appliances a good habit to get into, but this is arguably the best time to get into all the little nooks and crannies as you’re taking the items apart piece by piece. Not only that, but typically new homes are cleaned thoroughly before you get there, so why bring all of your old dust and grime with you? Oh, and don’t forget to dry them thoroughly, too. 3. Disassemble each appliance and remove any loose parts You don’t need to go too crazy with this step and remove any internal wiring, but a good rule of thumb is if it moves with a gentle shake of the appliance, then you should remove it and pack it separately. Things such as microwave trays and blender blades are good examples of this. And if it was complicated to disassemble, a good idea would be to include the owner’s manual with it just in case. 4. Select an appropriate box If you still have it, reusing the appliance’s original box is always ideal. Otherwise, pick out a similarly sized box so there isn’t too much wiggle room. Appliances can get rather heavy, so it’s best to put an extra layer of packing tape over the bottom flaps, even if the box is brand new. It never hurts to be extra careful. 5. Line the box and wrap the appliance Crumple up some packing paper and line the bottom of your box. This will absorb some of the shock from being jostled around. Then, wrap your appliance fully with at least two layers of packing paper, bubble wrap, or foam and secure it together with tape. To further protect your item, do not use newspaper for this part as the ink can leave a lasting stain. Also, try not to apply tape directly to your appliance as it can leave an annoying sticky residue. 6. Place the appliance into the box and fill the empty spaces Gently place the wrapped appliance and any additional parts (cords, trays, etc.) into the box. If possible, it’s best to keep them standing up because they’re designed to be strongest this way. If there’s room for another item, follow the same wrapping technique and add it to the box. Just make sure that the heavier items are on the bottom and try not to exceed 50 pounds for each box. Then, if there are any remaining gaps, fill them packing peanuts or more crumpled paper so your items don’t have any room to move around. 7. Seal and label the box Before closing the box, add one final layer of padding on the top. Then, secure the top flaps with packing tape, making sure to go over the edges enough to keep them firmly in place. Finally, take your marker and label your box according to whatever method you're using. It’s also a good idea to write “Fragile” for most appliances, so the movers know to be extra careful with the box. YOU’RE NOW READY TO MOVE There you have it. If you follow these 7 simple steps, your appliances should all arrive at your new home in fine working order. Trust us, you’ll be much happier that you took the time to do this right. If you have any other packing or moving questions, AAA Movers is always happy to help. You can check out some of our other helpful moving guides or give us a call at (612) 263-8464. When you are ready to start your move to Saint Paul, Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, or Chicago, grab a free quote and see how we can take the hassle out of your next move.
