PACKING TIPS

• Advice and quality packing materials
• Special packing for difficult or fragile items
• Partial packing for items you just couldn't get to
• Full service packing, crating and unpacking

If you just don't have the time to do your own packing or you feel better about leaving it to the pros, we can provide a free estimate for packing some or all of your belongings. If you are a do-it-yourselfer and want to save on the cost of your move, the following tips will help guide you toward safe and successful packing.

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Types of packing materials

• Dish Pack (5.2 cu ft): designed for fragile items such as dishes, glassware and china.
• Book Carton (1.5 cu ft): used to pack books and other small items
• Medium Carton (3.0 cu ft): an all purpose carton used for clothing, linens, small kitchen appliances, lamp shades, shoes,pots and pans, etc.
• Medium / Large Carton (4.5 cu ft): another all purpose carton used for linens, heavy bedding, lamps, lamp shades, pots and pans, etc.
• Large Carton (6.0 cu ft): used for pillows, blankets, light bedding, stuffed animals, cushions, etc.
• Pole Lamp Carton: used for pole lamps, blue prints, golf clubs, etc.
• Mirror Carton: designed to adjust to different sized pictures, mirrors and other fragile, flat items.
• Three Ply Paper Pad: thick protective covering for pictures, mirrors, paintings and lamps.
• Mattress Carton: used to keep all sized mattresses and box springs from being damaged or soiled.
• Wardrobe Carton: a tall box with a metal bar that is used to move hanging clothes.
• Newsprint: protective wrapping paper that can be used for almost all of your packing needs. Be sure not to use newspaper. The ink on newspaper can soil and ruin anything that it touches.

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Where To Start
Make sure to start packing early. A rushed job of packing can lead to unnecessary damage. By packing only three or four boxes a day, you will have over 100 in just a month. 100 cartons may seem like a lot, but you'll be surprised at the number that you will fill before move day.

A room by room approach is the easiest and most organized way to begin your packing. Start with the least used items in rooms like the garage, attic and basement. Move on to rooms like guest rooms, family room and living room. The last area to be packed will usually be the kitchen.

Once you have materials ready, it's time to begin packing. While items like blankets, towels and sheets need no protective covering, most items do. Be sure to use 3 to 4 inches of crumpled newsprint at the top and bottom of each carton.

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What Not To Pack
Heat from the sun can raise temperatures inside a closed moving van to well over 150 degrees, which can be very dangerous to pressurized containers. Any article which may be explosive is prohibited from being placed in your shipment. Here is a list of combustible materials that should not be packed:

• Any aerosol can including but not limited to:
  Hair spray
  Shaving cream
  Deodorants
  Insecticides
  Cleaning products
  Spray starch
  Spray paint
  
• Other flammable products
  

  Oil-based paint	Lacquer remover
  Gasoline	Bleach
  Kerosene	Muriatic acid
  Tar remover	Lighter fluid
  Matches	Corrosives
  Ammunition	Explosives
  Paint thinners	Nail polish remover
  Turpentine	Lighters
  Auto batteries	Bottled gas

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How To Pack Specific Items

Plates and China
These items should be packed in a dish pack. Start with the larger items on the bottom of the carton with smaller items toward the top. Wrap each piece individually with several pieces of newsprint. Wrap three to five previously wrapped plates together and stand each bundle on its edge. Never lay them flat. Add three to four inches of crumpled paper before starting another level.

Glassware and Crystal
Individually wrap each item and place rim down on the top level of a dish pack. Never place one item inside of another. Especially fragile items should be packed in a separate carton and then placed inside of a larger carton surrounded by cushioning.

Bowls
Wrap individually and then nest two or three together and wrap as an entire package. Place on end or flat. Be sure to use a layer of crumpled paper before starting another level.

Mirrors, Glass Table Tops, Pictures and Paintings
Use a three ply paper pad to wrap each item before placing inside the carton. Only one item should be placed inside each carton.

Books
Pack tightly in smaller cartons. Valuable books should be wrapped individually. Keep in mind that the filled carton should not weigh more than 50 pounds.

Clothing
Clothing can be left in sturdy dressers or packed in suitcases, if desired. Other foldable clothes should be packed in a medium sized carton. Hanging clothes should be packed in a wardrobe carton. If wardrobes are not used, be sure to remove the hangers and pack in a medium sized box.

Food
Never pack perishable or frozen food. Dry food should be packed in a medium sized carton after taping any openings or tops closed. Cans and jars should be packed in smaller boxes and should also be taped shut.

Lamps
Remove the shade, bulb and harp assembly. Wrap the lamp in a three ply pad and pack in the appropriate size carton. For lamp shades, pack in the size carton that is closest to the size of the shade. Do not use crumpled paper inside or around the outside of the shade. Pack only one shade in each carton.

Draperies and Curtains
Wardrobe cartons are excellent for hanging curtains and drapes. You can also fold them and pack in cartons that have been lined with clean newsprint.

Flowers and Plants
Live plants and potted flowers will likely not survive a long distance move, but may be able to be moved locally. Artificial flower arrangements should be carefully wrapped and packed in individual cartons. If possible, secure the arrangement to the bottom of the carton.

Electronics
Original factory cartons with styrofoam inserts provide the best protection for moving electronics. If these are not available, wrap electronics in three ply paper pads and pack in dish packs, making sure to use plenty of crumpled newsprint as cushioning. Large electronics such as console or larger TVs should not be packed and will be moved as furniture.

Small Appliances
Clocks, radios and other small appliances should be wrapped individually and packed along with linens and towels or surrounded by plenty of crumpled newsprint.

Clocks
Pendulums should be removed or secured tightly to the base of the clock. Smaller clocks may be wrapped in a three ply paper pad and packed individually. Grandfather clocks should be secured by a reputable clock man.

Phonograph Records
Pack records on end, side by side to provide the greatest resistance to weight pressure. Use small, strong cartons only.

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Special Preparation

Rugs
Have tacks removed from all rugs before the movers arrive. The movers will roll rugs and replace them in your new home. Rugs should be wrapped in brown paper if they are to be stored. Lawn and Garden Tools-tie or tape garden tools together in groups of three or four.

Mowers and Gasoline Powered Tools
Gas tanks and oil reservoirs must be drained before these items can be moved. No flammable mixtures or articles may be transported on public carriers.

Washing Machines
Washing machines should have all hoses disconnected and separately boxed. If you place these inside the washing machine, make sure to wrap them to avoid damage to the drum. Unplug the power cord and tape it to the back. Secure the drum with a styrofoam washer block.

Dryers
Remove the vent hose and box or place inside the dryer. Tape the power cord to the back of the dryer.

Propane Tanks
Have all propane tanks professionally purged. A verifying receipt will be required at the time of loading.

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