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Packing Materials
Use only strong, corrugated cartons with covers. We can supply
you with specially made cartons, for everything from mattresses
to clothing and mirrors. The added protection of mover-provided
cartons may avoid damage that results from the use of
poor-quality packing materials. Your alternative is to collect
boxes discarded by your grocery or liquor store. Save old
newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink may rub off
and stain clothing or other items. *WARNING: Insect eggs and
insects such as roaches can travel in food boxes.
Keep this in mind when getting boxes from food stores. Here's a
list a packing supplies that will come in handy:
· Plastic bags and labels for easy identification.
· Foam peanuts, Styrofoam pellets or "popcorn."
· Tissue or craft paper for delicate packing jobs.
· Corrugated paper rolls for figurines and fragile
items.
· Gummed tape (1 1/2 to 2 inches wide) and/or strong
twine for sealing cartons.
· Markers and labels for identifying contents of
cartons.
· Notebook and pencil for carton identification log.
· Scissors and/or sharp knife.
Packing schedule
Before actually packing-up, you need to have a game plan. For
example:
· Pack one room at a time. This will help you when it
comes time to unpack.
· Pack a couple of cartons a day, starting well ahead
of the move.
· 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. Notify your mover of any high value items.
· Be sure to have plenty of "filling" material
available.
· 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
25-45 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 Your Dish ware
· Select a medium-sized carton (or mover provided dish
pack) and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing
paper.
· With packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work
table, center one plate on the paper.
· 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.
· Stack a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners,
folding two sheets of each corner (one at a time) over the
plate.
· Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto
your packing paper.
· 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.
· Seal the bundle with packing tape.
· Place the bundle of dish-ware 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 Cups
· With packing paper in place on the work table,
position one cup six to eight inches from one of the corners.
· Now pull the near corner of the paper up and over
the cup.
· Nest a second cup directly on top, with handle to
left (second cup should "nest" itself in packing paper folded
over the bottom cups).
· Pull the two side corners up and over, one at a
time, and tuck corners inside the top cup.
· 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.
· Stuff glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or
packing paper before wrapping.
· 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.
· Place glasses and stemware toward the top of your
box. Heavier items (dish-ware, 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.
Bureau Drawers
Don't overload. Too heavy a load can cause damage.
Remove firearms and any items that might break or leak.
Firearms, along with serial numbers, must be registered with
your van line representative before the move.
Canned Goods
Pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Don't
attempt to move perishables. Wrap glass containers and boxed
foods individually and pack in small cartons.
Clocks
Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks. Grandfather clocks
should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.
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, not your mover, may be held liable.
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.
Mirror Painting and Pictures
Tell your agent about valuable paintings for special care. Wrap
small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge
in cartons. Place large pictures and paintings on edge in heavy
cardboard containers. Large wall or dresser mirrors will be
taken down by the movers and placed in special cartons. For
added safety, place tape diagonally across mirror to protect
better against damage. Do not place newspaper directly against
paintings.
Computer and Video
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 sulfur content paper 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.
Waterbeds Mattress
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.
Barbeque Grill 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 cannot be moved. Consult your local gas grill distributor
for the safest method. |
