MOVING AND STORAGE
Tips for Packing 

Knowing how to pack your boxes and make the best use of your moving supplies is key to a successful move.  Our tips for moving and storage have helped thousands of movers get their stuff safely to its destination.  If you have questions about the moving and storage packing tips listed below, please contact us for greater detail.

Packing Tip #1:  Have a Game Plan Before You Begin Packing.

• Pack one room at a time.  This will help you when it comes time to unpack.
• Start packing for your move well in advance.  Lighten your load by packing a couple of cartons a day.
• Mark all boxes, designating room and box number.  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.  If moving professionally, notify your mover of any high value items.
• Use plenty of "filling" material to prevent breakage.  Our durable packing paper is the perfect solution.
• 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.

Packing Tip #2:  Stock Up on Professional Packing Boxes and Materials.

These Include:

• Professional moving and storage boxes and lids.  Include all box sizes and shapes, mirror boxes, and wardrobe boxes.  
• Packing paper and bubble wrap for breakables and figurines.
• Gummed packing tape (1 1/2 to 2 inches wide) for sealing cartons.
• Markers and labels for identifying contents of cartons.
• Notebook and pencil for carton identification log (not provided in kit).
• Scissors and/or sharp knife (not provided in kit).

Packing Tip #3: Be Prepared to Safely Pack Your Dishware.

1. Select a medium-sized carton or dishpack and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper.
2. With packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work table, center one plate on the paper.
3. 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.
4. Stack a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.
5. Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
6. 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.
7. Seal the bundle with packing tape.
8. Place the bundle of dishware 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 Tip #4: Know How to Properly Pack Your Cups.

1. With packing paper in place on the work table, position one cup six to eight inches from one of the corners.
2. Now pull the near corner of the paper up and over the cup.
3. Nest a second cup directly on top, with handle to left (second cup should "nest" itself in packing paper folded over the bottom cups).
4. Pull the two side corners up and over, one at a time, and tuck corners inside the top cup.
5. 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 Tip #5: Reduce Glass and Stemware Breakage.

1. Stuff glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper before wrapping.
2. 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.
3. Place glasses and stemware toward the top of your box.  Heavier items (dishware, 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.

Packing Tip #6: Pack Special Items the Right Way.

Bureau Drawers:  Don't overload.  Drawers stuffed with heavy contents can cause damage.  Remove any items that might break or leak.  

Firearms:  If moving professionally, firearms, along with serial numbers, must be registered with the van line before the move.

Canned Goods/Non-Frozen Food:  Pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton.  Don't 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, a professional mover is prohibited from accepting these packed items if your shipment is 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 a wardrobe carton or pack folded in 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 may be held liable, even if you¹re moving professionally.

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:  Set aside and mark valuable paintings as such.  Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons.  Place large pictures and paintings on edge in heavy cardboard containers.  For added safety, place tape diagonally across mirrors 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 sulphur content paper (available from a professional mover) 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 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 must be drained.  Consult your local gas grill distributor for the safest method.