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What To
Pack?
By now you have probably realized that not
everything will fit in boxes. As a general rule,
furniture and major appliances will be wrapped
and padded by your moving professional. Items
requiring professional disassembly and/or
crating (such as slate pool tables, chandeliers
or large glass table tops) are best left to the
professionals.
Box
Basics
Use new, high-quality packing materials
specifically designed for moving to better
ensure your items will safely arrive.
Professional moving cartons come in a variety of
shapes and sizes that are specifically suited to
fit a variety of household goods. Look into
barrels, for example, as they are great ways of
loading a lot of odd-shaped items into one large
container.
Other
Supplies
- Bundles of
packing paper (clean, unprinted newsprint)
- Bubble wrap,
tissue paper or paper towels for delicate
items
- Rolls of PVC
tape (don't use masking tape or cellophane
tape)
- Tape
dispenser
- Broad-tipped
markers for labeling
- Scissors or
sharp knife for cutting cartons
- Notebook and
pen or pencil for listing contents of
cartons as they are packed
- Labels or
stickers for identifying boxes
Wrapping
How Tos
Before packing cartons, you'll need to wrap most
items to protect them from scratching and
breakage. There are a variety of materials
available, including bubble pack, foam peanuts
and tissue. However, most professionals use
bundles of clean, unprinted newsprint (available
at your moving supply store).
Start by placing
a small stack of paper on a flat, uncluttered
table or countertop. Round glasses and jars can
be rolled up in two or three sheets of paper;
always begin from a corner of the sheet and fold
the sides in as you roll. Large or odd-shaped
items require a similar technique. Place them in
the center of the sheet and bring the corners
together. (It may be necessary to flip the item
over and wrap it again from the other side.) If
in doubt, use more paper! When the corners come
together, secure them with tape.
Before packing
each carton, line the bottom with a few inches
of wadded paper for padding. Then place large,
heavy items on the bottom and lighter, more
fragile items on the top. Plates, books and
things of a similar shape, should be loaded
vertically to utilize their own maximum
structural strength. Don't overload cartons;
keep them to a manageable weight. Fill in any
voids and top off loaded cartons with wadded
paper. Then tape cartons securely to avoid
shifting while en route.
Labeling
Hints
Imagine packing away a truckload of boxes and
then having them delivered to your new home. How
can you tell what box goes where? Because you've
labeled them. Follow these tips to thwart
confusion.
- Use a broad,
felt-tipped marker.
- Clearly mark
your name, the room it should go to and
contents on each box.
- Indicate
"FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS END UP" where
appropriate.
- If
available, include your bill of lading (or
invoice) number on every box.
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