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Packing
Pointers
Before actually packing-up, you need to have a game plan.
For example:
- Pack one room at a time.
This will help you when it comes time to unpack.
- Pack a couple of cartons
a day, starting well ahead of the move.
- Mark all boxes,
designating room and box number. For self-printable box labels, click
here
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Make a carton identification log to show the
number of boxes packed per room, and the total number of cartons packed. It's
a good idea to leave space in your log for a special comments section to note
carton conditions or location of high value goods. Notify your mover of any
high value items.
- Be sure to have plenty of
"filling" material available.
- Be sure that the bottoms
of all cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents.
- Packing tape or gummed
tape is better than masking tape.
- Pack heavier items toward
the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box
weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. A general rule to
remember on carton size -- the heavier the item, the smaller the
carton.
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Packing
Dish-ware
- Select a medium-sized
carton (or mover provided dishpack) and line the bottom of the carton with
crumpled packing paper.
- With packing paper
stacked neatly in place on a work table, center one plate on the paper.
- Grasp a corner on several
sheets of packing paper and pull the paper over the plate until sheets
completely cover the plate. Stack a second plate on and, moving clockwise,
grasp a second corner and pull sheets over the second plate.
- Stack a third plate.
Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets of each corner (one at a time)
over the plate.
- Turn your wrapped stack
of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
- Re-wrap the entire
bundle: start with one corner of packing paper and pull two sheets over the
bundle, cover bundle with next corner, then the third corner; and finally, the
fourth.
- Seal the bundle with
packing tape.
- Place the bundle of
dish-ware in a medium-size box so that the plates are standing on edge
Use this
process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware. When
packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater
quantity.
Packing Cups
- With packing paper in
place on the work table, position one cup six to eight inches from one of the
corners.
- Now pull the near corner
of the paper up and over the cup.
- Nest a second cup
directly on top, with handle to left (second cup should "nest" itself in
packing paper folded over the bottom cups).
- Pull the two side corners
up and over, one at a time, and tuck corners inside the top cup.
- Hold the bottom and top
cup in position and roll cups to the remaining corner. Fragile mixing bowls
may be rolled in the same manner.
- Delicate cups, like
china, should be wrapped one at a time. Antique glass or china should be
stuffed with crumpled tissue and wrapped one at a time.
Packing
Glasses and Stemware
- Stuff glasses and
stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper before wrapping.
- Lay on the corner of
packing paper and roll it one or two full rotations (depending on size); pull
sides of packing paper up and over glass/stemware and continue rolling to the
far corner. Corrugated paper rolls or cellular boxes may be used for added
protection.
- Place glasses and
stemware toward the top of your box. Heavier items (dish-ware, pitchers,etc.)
should be placed toward the bottom of the box.
Delicate glassware and
stemware should be placed in an upright position, not on its side.
No matter
what you're packing, you should use crumpled packing paper in between each layer
to assure a snug fit wherever there's a gap. All boxes with "fragile" items
should be marked accordingly.
Specialized Packing Tips The
list of individual household items is endless. Most can be packed by following
our packing pointers. Here are some additional packing tips for major items. If
you want a more comprehensive list of how to pack special items, drop us a
line.
Bureau Drawers -- Don't overload. Too heavy a load can cause
damage.
Canned Goods and Other Non-Frozen Food -- Pack upright
with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Don't attempt to move perishables. Wrap
glass containers and boxed foods individually and pack in small
cartons.
Frozen Foods and Plants -Because of the delicate and
perishable nature of these items, your mover is prohibited from accepting these
packed items when your shipment is being transported more than 150 miles and/or
delivery will not be accomplished within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of
loading. Frozen food shipped within these guidelines must be packed in a freezer
which at time of loading is at normal deep-freeze
temperature.
Clocks -- Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks.
Grandfather clocks should be prepared for moving by expert
servicemen.
Drapes and Curtains -- Hang drapes over crossbars in
wardrobe cartons, or pack folded in clean cartons. Remove curtains from rods,
fold and pack in cartons or bureau drawers.
Flammables and
Combustibles -- Flammable liquids and aerosol cans must not be packed.
Changes in temperature and pressure can cause them to leak, or even explode. For
your own protection, you should know that if you pack these items and they cause
damage to your shipment or others, you, not your mover, may be held
liable.
Lamps and Lampshades -- Remove bulbs, harps and shades.
Roll up cord. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in
clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing
paper and tape to inside wall of carton that contains shade. Wrap shades in
tissue, not newspaper. Place upright in large, tissue lined
cartons.
Medicines -- Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack
upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with
you.
Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures -- Tell your agent about
valuable paintings for special care. Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings,
and frames and place on edge in cartons. Place large pictures and paintings on
edge in heavy cardboard containers. Large wall or dresser mirrors will be taken
down by the movers and placed in special cartons. For added safety, place tape
diagonally across mirror to protect better against damage. Do not place
newspaper directly against paintings.
Personal Computers and Video
Recorders -- Pack valuable electronic equipment in original cartons when
available. Otherwise, use strong, corrugated cartons and place protective
padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad
around the item and place it in its carton. Place additional padding between the
carton and the computer or video recorder. Wrap cords separately, label to
identify usage and place in a plastic bag away from delicate surfaces.
Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Place cords between the padded
computer or video recorder and the carton. Be sure your personal computer is
"parked" and ready for transport.
Silverware -- Wrap each piece in
cloth or low sulfur content paper to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or
moving pad as a wrap to prevent scratching the silverware
chest.
Tools -- Drain fuel from power tools (do not ship
Flammables under any circumstances). Pack tools in small, strong cartons. Wrap
separately if valuable.
Waterbed Mattresses -- Drain all water
from the waterbed and, grasping internal baffle systems with external vinyl,
fold mattress 20 inches at a time. Adjust folds to avoid making creases across
individual baffles. Consult your owner's manual for special instructions
concerning the care and transportation of your mattress. Do not place your
mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects.
Cars and
Motorcycles -- Cars and motorcycles shipped on the moving van should be
drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle batteries should be disconnected.
Automobile antifreeze should be ample to protect against severe cold in
winter.
Barbecue Grills and Propane Tanks -- Wrap grates and
briquettes separately in a newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery
bag) and place parts in carton. Pad carton with paper to reduce movement of
contents. Propane tanks cannot be moved. Consult your local gas grill
distributor for the safest method.
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