Planning to Pack Yourself?
Your professional moving company will have a wide variety of packing supplies and can offer valuable packing advice. Your mover can also provide full packing services. Remember that, although having the moving company pack boxes costs extra, having your mover pack all of the boxes can save you time, trouble, and assures that the mover will be fully responsible for any damage that might occur to the contents of packed boxes.
On move-in day you'll need to instruct the delivery crew where to place each piece, so you should label all boxes with the name of the room in which they belong. Make sure you label your boxes on two different sides in case boxes are stacked one on top of another. In addition, it's wise to label each box with a brief description of its contents on the side.
Don't use boxes that are too big as they will be heavy and more likely to burst.
Make certain all boxes are packed full and tight. Half-full boxes may crush when stacked which could damage the contents.
It's wise to pre-pack seasonal items and toys that you and your family won't be using until after your move. If you are moving in the summer, pre-pack winter items; if during the cooler months, you can pack away your family's summer clothing.
Prepare your computer and electronics for moving. If possible, pack your computer and electronic components in their original boxes. If not, we can offer appropriate packing materials. Be sure to back up data files or your entire hard drive. Store back-ups with your other valuables.
When packing valuables (jewelry, watches, etc.), they should be taken with you, not shipped with the rest of your belongings. Remember not to leave valuable items unattended in your car.
Useful Supplies:
- Boxes
- Packing tape - heavy duty tape at least 1.5 - 2 inches
- Packing paper
- Markers - to label boxes' contents and location
- Packing tape - to tape down wrapped items
Start packing early, even a month before. Pack infrequently-used items from closets, basement, attic or garage first.
Pack on a room-by-room basis. Don't pack kitchen items with bathroom items - this will make it easier on you to unpack. Label to indicate which room the box is to be delivered upon arrival of your new home. Depending on the surface you are packing on, you may want to put down a blanket or towel to protect the surface from scratches.
Don't pack food with soaps, polishes and medicines. Don't pack any caustic solutions like bleach or ammonia that may leak out - only pack liquids that have a tight screw on the seal for a local move.
Heavy items should go in small boxes - save the larger boxes for lighter items. Place the heaviest items at the bottom and larger ones on top. Try to keep boxes under 50 pounds.
Wardrobe boxes are perfect for hanging suits, dresses and coats - these hang so wrinkling is minimal, and minimizes the expense of cleaning and pressing your garments later. Suitcases are also a useful alternative.
Make use of space and protect fragile items at the same time by packing pictures, vases and glassware between sheets and towels. (Don't forget to keep some bedding and towels handy for that first night in your new home!) You can also save space by nesting items, such as placing a smaller pot inside a bigger pot. Wrap each individually, and mark "Fragile" on all sides of the box.
Pack both dishes and records vertically, like books on a bookshelf, for best handling. Special dishpack cartons are available from your mover - they are extra sturdy and designed specifically for fragile items. (Don't forget to label "Fragile" on all sides of the carton!) You may want to have your movers pack certain breakables. If you decide to do this, advise them in advance of the move.
Kitchen items, like boxed foods and cereals should be sealed with masking tape, unless these items are going into storage - in that case, discard items that might attract rodents and insects. Make sure spices are closed and will not leak - tape shut if in doubt. You can leave flour, sugar, etc. in cannisters but it's a good idea to seal them with tape, and wrap each cannister separately with packing paper.
Refrigerators and Freezers: All food must be removed, if left in the unit it may cause damage to the interior, or to flooring from its weight. Please have boxes or coolers ready to empty the unit prior to its being moved. For storage shipments, units must be dry. Movers are not responsible for mold damage. We recommend turning off the unit at least 24 hours before the move, wiping it dry, drain the pan if it has one and putting baking soda or coffee into a linen sock inside each compartment. We can arrange a third party service to disconnect icemakers.
Storage: Do not store any foodstuffs that are not sealed in airtight (glass, tin) containers or cans. Additionally, do not store flammables, paints, propane tanks or aerosol cans. We will inventory all items that are put into our storage facility and issue a warehouse receipt for those items. You should keep your copy in a safe place.
Medicines should have all caps securely taped, and be packed separately from food. Take necessary medicines with you on moving day - prepare for unexpected delays.
Dresser drawers do not have to be emptied unless the items are large and heavy or if they are going to be placed in storage- movers can handle chests with soft clothing inside. But do look through all drawers and remove any breakable articles. A heavy drawer can also cause damage to the drawer while en route, so prepare accordingly.
Extremely large pictures (usually 24" or larger) or mirrors should be packed by your mover in a specially designed carton made expressly for pictures and mirrors. Boxes can also be modified to fit smaller pictures - use a box that is larger than picture when flat, wrap the picture with packing paper, slide picture in, and seal the box.
Do not pack live plants - take these with you. Artificial plants and flowers should be packed with a generous amount of room to spare in a well-cushioned carton.
Trays should not be loose inside refrigerators and freezers.
Pack lamps without the bulbs or lampshades in place. If you can't find a tall enough carton, inquire about dishpack cartons from your mover - these are tall, extra sturdy boxes. Lampshades can be nested, wrapped with clean packing paper (never newspapers!) and packed separately. You can even use hats, small pillows or towels inside to take advantage of extra space inside the lampshade. Do not pack anything around the outside of the shade because it could crush the lampshade and cause damage. Be sure to mark "Fragile" on all sides of the box.
Rakes, brooms, etc. should be bundled tightly together in small, manageable groups.
Personally transport any valuables such as jewelry, guns, computer disks, irreplaceable documents and other high value items. Do not pack any flammables, combustibles or explosives - it is in violation to Interstate Commerce Commission regulations. Movers are not allowed to transport aerosol spray cans, paint, thinner, gasoline or anything else of a flammable or explosive nature.
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