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The Art of Packing

Professional Pack or Self-Pack:To pack or not to pack, that is the question! The nice part about having been professionally packed (besides not having to do it yourself) is there is less chance of damage, and liability for your goods solely rests on the mover. (You may still need to purchase insurance – see the “Am I protected against loss or damage while my goods are in transit?” under the moving FAQ) Loading will be faster because all the boxes your mover will use are new and uniform in size. Your packer knows how to pack those tricky items that you may not. Being professionally packed however can sometimes cost as much as the actual move itself!

Packing yourself can save money, as long as you do it correctly. Check your contract to see if customer packed boxes are covered for damage under your contract. If you opt to self-pack, be sure to do the following: purchase all new boxes, specifically MOVING boxes. Used or Grocery store boxes will NOT cut it and may be refused to even be handled by your mover. Garbage bags are out of the question! Use the right box for the job. Book boxes for books, Dish packs for dishes, Linen boxes for Linens. The heavier the items, the smaller the box should be. The movers are good, but they are not supermen! No loaded down boxes, please! Do not pack flammables, liquids, cleaning products or explosives. Your mover cannot transport these items. Your irreplaceable and sentimental items like photos and family heirlooms, and high value items such as jewelry and coin collections should be packed by you and taken by car.

You could have the best of both worlds by packing all your non breakable items, linens, clothes, books and having the mover pack all the fragile items, pictures, dishes, lamps.

The Art of Packing Proper packing of your household goods is one of the most important steps to ensuring that your household goods travel safely. First we will cover what supplies you will need, then describe how to pack various types of items found in your home.

Purchase Moving Boxes. It is very important to use MOVING boxes rather than other types of boxes you may be able to get for free. Moving boxes are heavier and better quality than that copy paper box you snagged from the office. Also, they are designed to work together to fit in the moving truck, maximizing the available space.

Items you will need:

• Packing Tape
• Permanent Marker
• Plain Packing Paper (NOT newspaper)
• Book Boxes
• Medium Boxes
• Large Boxes
• Extra Large Boxes
• Dish packs/China Barrels
• Wardrobe Boxes
• Mirror Cartons
• Lamp Boxes

What you cannot pack:
Flammables or hazardous materials including: paint, thinners, solvents, oils, candles, fireworks, varnishes, firearms and ammunition, bottled gas, propane, lamp oil, anything flammable, explosive or corrosive, motor fuels and oils, nail polish remover, bleach and aerosol cans. For more information see – Hazardous Materials.

General Packing Tips:

• Use the right box for the job. Each box is designed for a specific use and weight. The heavier the items, the smaller the box you will use. Check the bottom of the box to see its weight capacity.
• Have enough wardrobe boxes to handle all your hanging clothes.
• Separate the fragile items that you pack with a layer of materials. Wrap each fragile item separately. Fill in empty spaces to minimize movement during transit.
• Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.
• Purchase strong packing tape- not masking tape, duct tape or the plastic and strapping tape.
• Make the loading process easier and more organized by designating a room in your home/apartment, preferably the one closest to the door, in which to place all of your boxes. Keep related boxes together since they'll end up in the same room. This will help cut on the carrying time and make the move much more efficient.

How To Pack Small Appliances

• Use medium boxes or dish packs.
• Group kitchen appliances, like blenders and toasters, or other small household appliances, like hand- held vacuums and telephones, two or three to a box.
• Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped, and then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint (wadded up, not shredded).
• Wrap the appliances in packing paper. Wrap like a sub, not a gift.
• Then put another layer of packing paper on top, seal the box, and mark the box with your name, Kitchen and Appliances.

Pack China and Crystal

Plates and bowls . . .

• Tape the bottom of a dish pack, wad packing paper and place in bottom.
• Wrap plates and bowls in sheets of packing paper.
• Place all plates on edge in the containers. Fill in sides with packing paper.
• Paper in between, leaving space at the top of the box to fill in with wadded paper.
• Seal and mark "Fragile” Your name, room and - “ China."

Glasses and teacups . . .

• Wrap each glass or teacup in a piece of packing paper.
• Put a layer of wadded packing paper on the bottom of the box. Place wrapped cups or glasses on top, .
• Place another layer of packing material on top and the sides.
• Keep layering in wrapped cups and paper until you've reached the top.
• Put a final layer of packing material on top, seal, and mark "Fragile “ your name, room and “Crystal/China."

Pictures, Prints

• Wrap them individually in packing paper or wrap them in bubble wrap.
• Put them in flat fitted boxes. If they still fit loosely in their individual boxes, fill in the spaces with lightly wadded packing paper.
• Tape the box shut and mark it, with your name, room and “Picture”
• Double box any original artwork.

Mirrors

• Wrap in bubble wrap or packing paper, put in mirror carton. Fill loose spaces with lightly wadded packing paper.
• Seal box, and mark "Fragile” – your name, room and “Mirror.”

Sculptures

• You'll need a box at least one-third larger than the size of your sculpture.
• Fill one-third of the box with Styrofoam peanuts. Wrap the sculpture with bubble wrap, put it in , and then fill in all around and on top with peanuts.
• The Sculpture should be surrounded by at least 3 inches of peanuts.
• Tape the box and mark "Fragile” with your name, the room and - Artwork"

Collectibles

• Wrap each fragile item separately with bubble wrap and tape.
• Put a layer of wadded paper on the bottom and layer in wrapped items with wadded paper in between.
• Put a final layer of wadded paper on top.
• Seal and mark "Fragile” your name, room and “Collectibles."

** If your collectibles are really valuable, consider moving them in your car or shipping them separately.

Books

• Use a book box and do not pack more than 30 pounds of books in a box.
• Fill in small spaces in each box with smaller paperbacks and paper. Alternate bindings every few books to keep stacks level in each box.

Music & CD's

• Pad the bottom of a book box with wadded-up packing paper.
• Wrap a stack of CDs in packing paper and place in the middle of the box.
• Place stacks in box and fill with crushed paper.
• Tape the box and mark with your name, the room and “CDs.”

Clothes

• Hang clothes from closets in wardrobe boxes.
• Use Medium boxes for folded clothes.
• Wrap shoes in pairs in packing paper and place in book boxes.
• Mark boxes "Clothing" or with the person's name.

Lamps

• Take light bulbs, harps, and lamp shades off lamp.
• Wrap lamp shades in packing paper and place them in a large box with wadded paper.
• Wrap the cord around the lamp and pack the lamp in bubble wrap. Place in lamp carton. Wrap the harp and finial (decorative piece) with packing paper, and tape it to the inside wall of the carton.
• Seal the box and mark it with your name, the room and “Lamp.”

Keep separate from your load the following:

• For each person in the household: a change of clothes, a towel, prescription drugs, a toothbrush, and other personal items.
• For everyone: plastic utensils, paper plates, paper towels, plastic cups, toilet paper, toiletries, trash bags, a flashlight, first aid kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, snacks, beverages, and re-closable plastic bags.
• Small tool kit for re-assembling items that couldn't be moved whole.