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How to pack when you are moving
Good packing is essential for a good move. If you choose to do some or all of your own packing in preparation for your relocation, it's especially important that you be familiar with the techniques and boxes that will maximize the protection of your possessions.
Items you will need when packing: - Tissue Paper, Packing Paper, or blank Newsprint
- 2" packing tape and/or Masking tape
- Tape Gun
- Permanent markers
- Professional quality boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Styrofoam peanuts
Types of Boxes Available:
- Dish PAK (or China Barrel) Heavy duty box used for dishes/china, crystal and glassware
- 1.5 cu. ft. book box Small box for heavy items such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes
- 3.1 cu. ft. Medium box Medium utility box often used for pots and pans, toys, and small appliances
- 4.5 cu. ft. Large Box For bulky items, such
- as linens, towels or toys
- 6.1 cu. ft. X-Large Box For large, bulky, or lightweight articles, such as pillows or large lampshades
- Wardrobe A "portable closet" that keeps clothes or draperies hanging on a built-in bar
- Mirror/Picture Box Several sizes of telescoping boxes for framed pictures, mirrors or glass
- Mattress Box Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. A separate box is necessary for box springs.
- Mattress/Furniture Bag Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. And used for chairs and sofas.
**All of these materials are available for purchase.
Good packing means: - Wrapping items carefully.
- Providing plenty of cushioning to absorb shock.
- Using sturdy boxes that close.
- Making sure boxes are firmly packed and do not rattle, bulge outward or bend inward.
- Not mixing items from different rooms in the same box, when possible.
Packing Tips:
The Basics: - Start with a time-table. All packing should be completed the evening before the moving day.
- People often underestimate how long it takes to pack.
- Limiting boxes, when possible, to a maximum weight of 50 pounds to make handling easier.
- Pack room-by-room and sort packed boxes by weight to make the moving van easier to load.
- Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used infrequently. Leave until last the things you'll need until moving day.
- Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, and items not recommended for inclusion in your shipment and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
The Technique:
- Pack similar items together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the same box with cast-iron frying pans, for example.
- Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic or cloth bags (which can be purchased from the moving company) and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
- Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
- Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of a box for cushioning.
- Build up in layers, with heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top.
- As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or use sheets or cardboard cut from boxes as dividers.
- Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets also may be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.
- Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper.
- Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
- Avoid overloading boxes, but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
The Labels:
- Every box must be labeled:
- Use a broad, felt tipped marker.
- Clearly mark your name and the room each box will go in at destination.
- Indicate FRAGILE on delicates; THIS END UP where appropriate.
- Also list the contents on the side of the box (for easy viewing while stacked) and in a special notebook. It would be best to number the boxes as well.
- Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the box labels so the movers can move the boxes to the proper rooms.
- Put a special code or number on the boxes you want to unpack first at destination.
Before your possessions are packed and loaded, it is important that you understand which items cannot be shipped because they represent a hazard or are perishable. Listed below are some common non-allowable items that you will need to address prior to your pack and load dates.
Hazardous Materials – items that are flammable, corrosive or explosive. Examples include: - Fire Extinguisher
- Household Batteries
- Lamp Oils
- Matches
- Aerosols
- Chemistry Sets
- Kerosene
- Cleaning Solvents
- Darkroom Chemicals
- Gasoline
- Ammonia
- Propane/Propane Tanks
- Nail Polish
- Fireworks
- Nail Polish Remover
- Pool Chemicals
- Charcoal
- Liquid Bleach
- Motor Oil
- Charcoal Lighter
- Paints (latex & oil-based)
- Car Batteries
- Ammunition
- Paint Thinner
- Fertilizer
- Pesticides
- Poisons (such as weed killer)
Perishables – Food, plants or living things that may die or spoil in transit. Examples include: - Frozen Food
- Produce
- Open or half-used foods or food without adequate preservation
- Refrigerated Food
- Plants
NOTE: You should empty your refrigerators and freezers and keep appliance doors open for at least 24 hours in advance of loading. This will allow appliances to dry out and prevent the growth of mold.
Items of Personal Importance/Sentimental Value – This third category of non-allowables can create problems should your shipment be delayed or items lost. We suggest that irreplaceable items and\or sentimental items be carried with you instead of being packed with your shipment. Examples include: - Airline Tickets
- Certificates of Deposit
- Prescription Medicine
- Car Keys
- Stocks
- Computer Discs
- Cell Phones
- Bonds
- Computer Discs
- Cell Phones
- Bonds
- Address Books
- Pagers
- IRAs
- Jewelry
- Laptop Computers
- Financial Documents
- Family Photographs
- Checkbooks
- Deeds
- Wedding Albums
- Cash
- Car Titles
- Personal Video Tapes
- School Records
- Professional Files
- VCRs & Stereos
- Medical & Dental Records
- Insurance Policies (Life/Auto/Home, etc.)
- Remote Controls for TVs/VCRs/Stereos
- Documents Pertaining to Your New Home
- Keys to Furniture, Safe, Home
- Firearms
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