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Packing Supplies, Labeling & Packing Tips
Keep the following supplies handy for packing:
Boxes,
Marking pen,
Bubble wrap,
Newspaper and tissue
Tape and scissors
Tape measure
Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly. Purchase
special boxes for dishes, wardrobe and other special items.
Pack audio-video equipment in their original boxes. Label cables and
tighten transit screws. If removing screws, tape them to the objects
they are removed from.
Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box.
Label each box and indicate the following:
(a) Which room it should go in
(b) Whether it is fragile
(c) If it should be loaded last so it will be unloaded first.
Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or
tissue. Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items.
Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. If musty smelling, sprinkle
talcum powder between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave
stored for a couple of months to eliminate the smell.
Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in
wrappings for the move.
Pack medicines in a leak proof container.
Carry all valuables with you.
How to Pack Boxes
PLAN AHEAD TO OBTAIN NECESSARY CARTONS:
We can sell you any cartons you might need in addition to other packing
material such as paper and tape. You might save a substantial amount of
money, however, by obtaining cartons from other sources such as friends
who have recently moved and/or stores. Starting to collect cartons a
month or two prior to your move will probably make it possible to obtain
enough cartons.
SELECT THE PROPER SIZE AND TYPE OF CARTON:
Heavy items such as books, record albums, canned food, etc. should be
put in smaller cartons. Some items such as large pictures, mirrors,
glass tops and shelves, clocks and mattresses may require special
cartons which we can provide.
PACKING OF SOME ITEMS IS OPTIONAL ON LOCAL MOVES:
When you are moving locally some items do not necessarily need to be
packed. Items such as mirrors, large pictures and mattresses can usually
be transported safely for short distances without packing. Generally,
these items should be packed for long distance move and for shipments
moving into storage. Lamps and lampshades should always be packed.
PACK ONE ROOM AT A TIME:
Packing can appear to be an insurmountable task when viewed from the
perspective of the entire house. Packing one room at a time (and staying
with that room until it is fully packed) has the effect of dividing the
overall task into several smaller and more manageable tasks. This
approach also makes it possible to set realistic goals, i.e. pack the
dining room today, the kitchen tomorrow, etc.
TAPE THE BOTTOM OF CARTONS:
Taping the bottom of cartons before filling them prevents the contents
from spilling out the bottom during the move.
HEAVY ITEMS ON THE BOTTOM/LIGHT ITEMS ON TOP:
In each carton the heavier items should be placed at the bottom and the
lighter items on top to prevent damage.
USE A LOT OF PAPER:
All breakable items should be wrapped individually in paper. Paper
should be used to cushion the bottom, sides and top of cartons.
PLACE BREAKABLES CORRECTLY IN CARTON:
Plates should be stacked vertically as if in a dish drain; glasses and
stemware should be placed in an upright position; again, use plenty of
paper on all fragile and breakable items.
CORRECTLY FILL CARTONS:
Fill all cartons to the top without overfilling. Cartons with items
sticking over the top cannot be properly closed or stacked; cartons that
are under filled tend to crush when stacked. Always make sure each carton
is filled totally to the top before closing. A small space at the top
can be filled with paper, a towel, a blanket or other similar items.
CLOSE CARTON AND SEAL SHUT WITH TAPE:
Cartons should be closed-top and sealed with tape to prevent damage and
make stacking easier.
LABEL EACH CARTON:
Use a felt pen to clearly label each carton as to its general contents
and the room it is to be placed in at destination. Label on the side of
each carton rather than on the top so that cartons in stacks can be
identified. If a carton is packed in a manner that requires it to be
always kept in an upright position, draw arrows on each side indicating
which end must always be kept up. Any cartons containing particularly
fragile items should be labeled as such.
STACK CARTONS:
Time will be saved on your move if you arrange cartons in stacks of
similar sized cartons four to five feet high. This enables the cartons
to be easily dollied from the house to the truck.
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