Packing Tips - Tips for Packing Your Home for a Move - United Van Lines
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Packing Tips
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 best protect your possessions.
Limiting
cartons, when possible, to a maximum weight
of 50 pounds to make handling easier.
Wrapping
items carefully.
Providing
plenty of cushioning to absorb shock.
Using
sturdy cartons that close.
Making
sure cartons are firmly packed and do not
rattle, bulge outward or bend inward.
Not
mixing items from different rooms in the
same carton, when possible.
Checklist
of the Basics
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, items not
recommended for inclusion in your
shipment and anything
that would puncture or damage other items.
However, blankets,
sweaters, lingerie,
bath towels and similar soft, lightweight goods
may be left in
drawers.
Pack
similar items together. Do not pack a delicate
china figurine in the same carton
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.
Wrap
items individually in clean paper; use tissue
paper, paper towels or even facial tissue
for fine china, crystal
and delicate items. Colored wrapping draws
attention to very
small things. Use a
double layer of newspaper for a good outer
wrapping.
Place
a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper
in the bottom of a carton 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 cartons 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 lift 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 cartons, but strive for a firm
pack that will prevent items from shifting;
the cover should close
easily without force, but should not bend inward.
Seal
cartons tightly with tape except for those
containing items listed on Frisbie's
High-Value Inventory
form. These must be left open for the van operator's
inspection.
As
you finish with each carton, list the contents
on the side of the carton (for easy viewing
while cartons are stacked)
and in a special notebook. You might want to
number and/or
code the cartons as
well.
Indicate
your name and the room to which each carton
should be delivered at destination.
Tape a sign on the
door of each room at destination corresponding
to the carton labels
so movers can get the
cartons into the proper rooms quickly.
Put
a special mark on cartons you want to unpack
first at destination.
How
To Pack
China, Glassware & Silverware
Moving
company packers use a dish pack -- an exceptionally
sturdy corrugated carton of
double- wall construction — for
china, glassware and other fragile items less
than 18 inches
in size. Unless cartons
of similar strength and construction are valuable,
you might want to
purchase several dish
packs from the moving company.
Wrap
all pieces of china and glassware individually
in clean paper. Using several sheets
of paper, start from
the corner, wrapping diagonally and continuously
tucking in overlapping
edges. A double layer
of newspaper serves well as an outer wrapping.
A generous amount
of paper padding and
cushioning is required for all china and glassware.
Label cartons,
"FRAGILE — THIS
SIDE UP."
Flat
China & Glassware
Larger
china and glass plates, platters and other
flat pieces are excellent as the lowest layer
in a dish pack.
Place
cushioning material in the bottom of a carton.
Wrap each piece individually then wrap up
to three in a bundle
with a double layer of newspaper. Place these
bundled items in the carton
in a row on edge.
Surround
each bundle with crushed paper, being careful
to leave no unfilled spaces. Add two
or three inches of
crushed paper on top of the bundle to protect
rims and make a level base
for the next tier.
Horizontal cardboard dividers can be helpful
in keeping layers level.
Smaller
plates, saucers and shallow bowls can make
up a second layer. Wrap and pack in
the same way as larger
items.
Bowls & Odd-Shaped
Items
Depending
on their weight, these might be used either
as the bottom or middle layers. Wrap
the same way as flat
plates.
Stand
shallow bowls (soup plates, etc.) on edge in
the carton and deep ones (such as
mixing bowls) nested
two or three together, upside down on their
rims.
Wrap
sugar bowl lids in tissue, turning them upside
down on top of the bowl. Then, wrap
both together in clean
paper, followed by an outer double layer of
newspaper. Wrap
cream pitchers in clean
paper and then a double outer wrapping. Place
sugar bowls,
cream pitchers, sauce
containers and similar pieces upright in the
carton. Complete
the layer as for plates.
Cups
Even
when using a dish pack and mini-cells for china,
wrap cups individually, protecting
handles with an extra
layer of paper. Then, pack cups upside down.
If
not using a dish pack or cells, wrap cups as
previously described in a double layer of
paper and place them
upside down on rims in a row on an upper layer
with all handles
facing the same direction.
Complete the layer as for plates.
Silver
Because
air causes silver to tarnish, all silver pieces
should be enclosed completely
in clean tissue paper
or plastic wrap. Holloware — including
bowls, tea sets
and serving dishes — should
be wrapped carefully as fragile items and packed
like china.
Loose
flatware may be wrapped either individually
or in sets, and in clear plastic or tissue.
If
silverware is in a chest, you still might want
to wrap the pieces individually and reposition
them in the chest.
Or, fill in all empty spaces in the chest with
tissue paper or paper
towels. Wrap the chest
with a large bath towel.
Figurines & Other
Delicate Items
Wrap
first in tissue paper, paper towels or facial
tissue. Then, wrap carefully in newsprint
that has been crushed
and flattened out. Be sure the items are well-protected
with plenty
of cushioning.
Small
mirrors, plaques and pictures should be wrapped
individually in tissue paper. A bath
towel or small blanket
makes an excellent outer wrapping and padding
for glass. Place
items on edge in a
carton.
Fragile
Items
Many
moving companies use a material called bubble
pack (plastic with bubbles) for
exceptionally fragile
items. If an item is extremely valuable as
well as delicate,
it might be wise to
have it packed for you. Special materials might
be needed for
maximum protection.
Artificial
Flowers
An
arrangement of artificial flowers should be
packed in its own carton. Wrap carefully in
plastic wrap, tissue
paper or paper towels. If possible, fasten
the base of the floral
piece to the bottom
of the carton. Label the carton "FRAGILE — THIS
SIDE UP."
For
instructions on moving live plants, ask your
agent for a "Moving With House Plants"
brochure.
Lamp
Bases
After
removing the light bulb and lamp harp, wrap
the base, harp and bulb separately in
newsprint. (Use paper
pads for large lamps.) Place them together
in a carton, filling
spaces with crushed
paper. More than one well-cushioned lamp may
be packed in a
carton.
Lamp
Shades
Never
wrap lamp shades in newspaper. Carefully wrap
each shade in three or four sheets
of tissue paper, a
pillowcase or a large lightweight towel.
To
allow for movement, use a sturdy carton at
least two inches larger all around than
the largest shade.
Line it with clean paper, using crushed paper
under the lamp shade
to create a protective
layer, but not around the shade. A small shade
can be nested
inside a large one,
if you are sure they will not touch. Only one
silk shade should
be placed in a carton
to avoid stretching the silk.
Do
not pack other items with shades. Label cartons "LAMP
SHADES — FRAGILE."
It
is best to have the moving company crate large
Tiffany-type or other glass lamp shades
or chandeliers.
Glass
Table Tops, Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Paintings,
Statues & Large Vases
All
are easily damaged. Glass might shatter, and
marble slabs can crack at veins. Paper
never should be permitted
to touch the surface of an oil painting.
It's
best to consult with your moving company about
custom-made cartons and crates for
items of this kind.
Books
Pack
them either flat or with the spine touching
the bottom of the carton. Do not pack with
spine facing up, as
glue can break away from the binder. Pack books
of the same general
size together.
Expensively
bound volumes or those of special sentimental
value should be individually
wrapped before packing.
Because
books are heavy, be sure to use small cartons.
Photographs
Family
photographs, videos, slides and negatives should
be packed in separate cartons
rather than being combined
with other household items.
Protect
framed photos with padding and cushioning,
standing them on edge in a carton.
Label cartons clearly
for easy identification.
If
possible, carry irreplaceable items with you
to destination.
Compact
Discs, Tapes & Records
Remove
these items from the stereo or storage cabinet.
Keep in mind records are heavy
and should be packed
in small cartons.
If
records are not in jackets, wrap individually
in tissue paper or plastic wrap to
protect them from being
scratched.
Stand
compact discs and records on edge, never flat,
on a layer of crushed paper.
Support at both ends
with a large, hardcover book or several pieces
of cardboard
cut to fit. Top with
another layer of crushed paper. Identify contents
on the
outside of the box
and mark "FRAGILE."
Cassette
tapes should be placed in the protective plastic
box in which they came, if
possible, and then
wrapped individually in crumpled paper. Place
individual
tapes either vertically
or horizontally on a couple of layers of crushed
paper.
Clothing
Clothing
left on hangers and placed in wardrobe cartons
used by moving companies will
arrive at destination
wrinkle-free. You might want to purchase several
of these special
cartons from your moving
company. One will hold about two feet of compressed
clothing
on hangers.
If
wardrobe cartons are not used, each garment
should be removed from its hanger, folded
and placed in a suitcase
or a carton lined with clean paper. Some lightweight
clothing —
such as lingerie and
sweaters — may be left in bureau drawers.
Hats
may be left in hatboxes and placed in a large
carton. Or, stuff the crown of each
hat with crumpled tissue
paper; wrap tissue loosely around the outside
and place in a
carton lined with clean
paper, with the heavier hats on the bottom.
Don't pack anything
else with hats. Label
the carton "FRAGILE."
Footwear
may be left in shoeboxes and placed in a large
carton. Or, wrap each shoe
individually and then
in pairs. Footwear should be cushioned to avoid
damage to heels
or ornaments. Don't
pack heavy items on top of shoes.
It
is recommended that you take your furs with
you rather than having them moved on
the van.
Linens & Bedding
Blankets,
sheets, tablecloths, towels, pillowcases and
other linens may be protected by a
large plastic bag and
packed in a carton that has been lined with
clean paper.
Wrap
your most prized linens in tissue. Also, linens
and bedding are good for cushioning
or padding many types
of items.
Special
mattress cartons in various sizes are available
from your moving company for a
nominal charge. Pillows
may be placed in bureau drawers or packed in
cartons.
Draperies & Curtains
Clothing
wardrobes are ideal for moving curtains and
draperies. Fold them lengthwise,
place over a padded
hanger, pin securely and hang in the wardrobe.
Draperies
and curtains also may be folded and packed
in cartons lined with clean paper
or plastic wrap.
Rugs
Leave
rugs on the floor for the moving company to
handle. If they've just been returned from
the cleaners, leave
them rolled.
Major
Appliances
Pre-move
preparation is required for many major appliances.
Set an appointment with a
service technician
to prepare your major appliances for shipment
-- or have your
agent send someone
out who is authorized to perform this service.
Small
Appliances
Items
such as clocks, small radios and other small
appliances should be wrapped
individually and packed
in a carton cushioned with crushed paper.
Small
clocks, transistor radios and similar items
can be packed in the same carton with
linens or as extra
items with lamp bases. Make sure cords are
wrapped so as not to
scratch or otherwise
damage items.
Steam
irons should be emptied of all water, wrapped
and placed in the cushioned bottom
of a box.
Remove
all batteries from small appliances before
packing.
Tools
Long-handled
garden tools, as well as brooms and mops, should
be bundled together
securely. Attachments
should be removed from power tools and packed
separately.
Hand
tools may be left in tool boxes and the spaces
filled with crushed paper, or they may
be packed according
to general packing rules. Always use small
cartons because tools
usually are heavy.
Outdoor
Equipment
Before
moving day, dismantle children's swing sets,
TV antennas and garden sheds.
Gather pieces and bundle
together with nylon cord. Place small hardware
in a cloth bag
and securely attach
to corresponding equipment.
Prepare
lawn mower by draining gasoline prior to the
day of loading.
Food
Take
only food items you are sure will travel well.
Do not take anything perishable. In the
winter months, do not
take anything subject to freezing.
Open
boxes of dried or powdered foods such as rice,
macaroni and cereals should be
sealed with tape. Small
containers of herbs and spices, condiments,
bouillon cubes,
gelatin, flavorings,
etc. should be placed together in a small box
before packing
in a large carton.
Cover holes of shaker-type containers and seal
with tape.
Since
canned goods are heavy, the amount placed in
one carton should be limited.
A
Word About Special Household Items
The popularity of home electronic items has
added a new dimension for the do-it-yourself
packer. Home computers, microwave ovens and
stereo systems require special care to ensure
they arrive at destination safely.
If you saved the original cartons and packing
materials in which these items arrived, it
is best to repack using those materials. Should
you not have these materials, you might want
to contact a store selling your particular
item and ask if discarded packing materials
are available.
Your Frisbie agent is familiar with current
techniques for properly packing electronic
items and can assist you with advice or pack
the items for you. It is your responsibility
to disconnect electronic items prior to packers'
arrival.
