1. 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:

1. 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 - don't pack yesterday's toast or blender drinks!)

2. Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped, then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint (wadded up, not shredded) or your towels and sheets.

3. Put the appliances in and pad them well all around with packing material.

4. Then put another layer of packing materials on top, seal the box, and mark it "Kitchen Appliances." Now you're good to go!

2. Big Appliances

We're talking washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, 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

The washing machine

1. Do all your wash a couple of days before you're ready to move.

2. Drain all the water out of the washer. If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways to empty out remaining water from the water hose. Then dry the interior completely with a towel.

3. Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in a plastic bag.

4. Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the tub to keep the tub from rotating.

5. 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.

6. Tape the lid and electrical cord down, then tie a large pad around the outside. Now you're done!

The dryer

1. 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.

2. Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door down.

3. Tie a large pad around the outside of the dryer. You're done!

The refrigerator

1. One day before moving, empty out the contents and defrost. (Eat what you can, then give the rest away to neighbors - never transport perishable food.)

2. Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and drain out your automatic ice maker.

3. Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Tie a large pad around it. That's it!

The dishwasher

1. Remove all dishes and tape down the racks and silverware basket.

2. See your manual for removing and draining the water hook-up.

3. Close and lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape the hose and cord to the dishwasher.

4. Tie a large pad around it. That's all!

The air conditioner

1. If your air conditioner is in use, shut if off the day before so the coils can dry and cool off.

2. Remove and clean or replace the filter.

3. Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not the back, where the coils are).

4. 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.)

5. If you don't have a box, tie two large pads around it to protect the coils. That's it!

Stereo Components

You'll need:

• Tape
• Plastic bags
• Original boxes and foam forms

-or-

• Double boxes (one a size larger than the other)
• Plastic peanuts

How to pack:

1. Make sure all components are completely cooled off. Use color-coded tape to mark where cables and cords should go in the equipment when you get to your new home.

2. Check your CD player manual to see whether you need to tighten screws that will keep internal components from moving around.

3. If you have a turntable, tape down the "platter" the record sits on and tape the arm to the arm rest. (Pack the plastic turntable cover separately from the turntable, if it comes off, it may screw down.)

4. Put all components in individual plastic bags to keep them from getting dirty during the move and to keep peanuts out of the equipment.

5. Put components in original boxes, or put them in double boxes. The component goes in the smaller box filled with peanuts, and the smaller box goes inside the larger box, also filled with peanuts.

6. Don't bundle components together in the boxes unless they're small enough to be separated by peanuts.

7. Seal and mark boxes "Fragile - Stereo/Audio Equipment." That's it!

TV - Big-Screen

You'll need:

• Tape
• Original packing boxes and foam forms

-or-

• Large new box and foam forms

How to pack:

1. Unplug your big screen TV. Be sure to leave the cable and cable box behind, since those belong to the cable company.

2. Lay it gently on its side and slide the foam forms on either end. Then slide it into the box, set it upright, seal it, and mark it "Big-Screen TV."

3. If you don't have the original box, you will still need more than plastic peanuts. Companies that sell packing materials probably have dense Styrofoam blocks you can use. Gently lay the TV on its side on top of a piece of foam. Tape another piece of foam on the bottom and slide the whole thing into the box. Fill in all sides with foam, then seal and mark "Big-Screen TV."

TV/VCR -- Less than 30"

You'll need:

• Tape
• Original packing boxes and foam forms

-or-

• Large new box and foam forms

How to pack:

1. Make sure the TV is cooled off and you've left the cable and cable box for the cable company (they own those).

2. Do the same for the VCR. Check your manual to make sure there are no special moving preparations you need to make to stabilize internal components.

3. Wrap up the cord for the TV and VCR and put in the original boxes. Or use foam forms you purchase or peanuts. (Wrap your TV and VCR in a plastic bag before immersing in peanuts so the peanuts don't get inside the machines). Put the TV and VCR in separate boxes.

4. Seal and mark the boxes "Fragile - TV/VCR." Now you're done!