Packing Tips
Pack appropriate items only in appropriately sized cartons.
- Make sure you receive all necessary materials for packing (i.e. boxes, dish barrels, mirror cartons and wardrobes, packing paper, soft wrap and tape).
- Properly packed boxes, even boxes packed with breakable items, should be able to withstand a two to three foot drop without damage to the contents. When the box is picked up, the sides should feel firm to the touch, and you should not hear anything rattling around. If you have crystal, fine china, or figurines to pack, and do not feel that you can protect them this way, let us know, and let us pack them for you. The extra expense is well worth it.
- Do not skimp on wrapping material. Blank newsprint and bubble wrap are essential. And unless you want to be able to read the sports page off of your fine china for years to come, please do not use newspaper! Newspaper ink tends to bleed.
Examples:
Small boxes should contain books, magazines, videocassettes, CD's, audiocassettes and canned goods. These items make for a very heavy box if a large box is used.
Medium boxes should contain shoes, linen, small electronics, small TV's, small lamps, lampshades, small pictures, small appliances, pots, pans and clothes.
Large boxes should contain sofa cushions, pillows, blankets, comforters, large lampshades, large lamps and small plastic toys.
Dish barrels should contain dishes, figurines, tall lamps, stereo equipment, wall clocks and artificial plants.
Mirror cartons should contain large pictures, mirrors, glass tabletops and glass shelves.
Wardrobe cartons should contain all hanging clothes, umbrellas and wall posters.
Pack all items that will not be needed or used before the day of the move first. Label the boxes accordingly (i.e. living room-4 kitchen, basement, bedroom-4, etc.).
- Before packing dishes, glassware, bottles, stereo equipment and any other breakable items, the carton should be cushioned with a layer of crumpled newspaper.
- All dishes, glasses, bowls and other breakables should be wrapped individually with heavier items on the bottom.
- All mirrors, pictures, glass tabletops and shelves should be wrapped with extra paper before being placed in mirror cartons.
- All dresser drawers, night stands, end tables and high boys should be emptied and the contents placed in medium cartons.
- All hanging clothes and extra long items should be placed in wardrobe cartons.
- All food items coming from your refrigerator or freezer should be packed while the movers are loading your other furniture in the truck. These boxes will be placed on the truck last so they can be unloaded first. It is the your responsibility to separate these boxes from the other boxes.
- It is very important that all items are completely packed and all boxes sealed and labeled. The boxes should be labeled according to the rooms they are to be placed in and should be done prior to the move.
