Packing Tips
Below are some useful packing tips that will help you in preparing for your move. If you require any further information please don't hesitate to call us
The Basics
Proper Packing is the most important thing that you can do to save time,money, andaggravation! Basically, use common sense when packing. Pack heavier things like books into smaller boxes, and pack lighter things in progressively larger boxes. Try not to make the box to heavy. It should be light enough to be carried by one person with ease.
Thoroughly wrap fragile items individually with paper, bubble wrap or foam wrap depending on the item. Special care must be taken with small items so as not to lose them in the packing materials. Taping over the wrapping is a good technique to highlight a small item as not being merely a bunched up piece of paper. Glassware and china should be wrapped so as not to clatter within the box. Use plenty of paper to line the top, bottom and side of each box.
All staples in boxes should be removed so as to safeguard surfaces such as wood floors, counter tops, and furniture where cartons may be stacked prior to pickup and after delivery. Do not interlock box flaps together - always tape bottoms and tops with at least three strips of tape and at least halfway up or down the sides of the box for strength. Remember that taping reinforces the strength of the box, and yet can be easily cut with a blade later when unpacking.
Mark the top and sides of all cartons on the tape with contents and destination location (such as bedroom, kitchen, or basement). This will make identifying where things are easy when they are stacked on top of each other. If the box is reused, then using fresh tape over marked taped easily eliminates old markings.
Plan well ahead.
Don't save all your packing for the last day. Begin packing items not needed well in advance. Packing gets more and more tiresome over a period of time, so it is good to jump start the packing chore as much as possible. Disassemble items that need to be taken apart and carefully save any hardware involved (see below). Sometimes lost hardware is virtually impossible to replace, so be very careful where you save it.
Books.
Books and records are deceptively heavy, use smaller boxes for these items. If you do run out of smaller cartons, use larger ones, but only part fill them with the heavy items placed on the bottom, then fill the box with lighter items.
Drawers.
Drawers in chests and divan beds should be all emptied.
Clothes.
Wardrobe cartons are a great way of packing your clothes. You can take your cloths straight out of the wardrobe and hang them on the rails. Make sure all hangers are the same way round as this makes transferring them much easier. If you don’t want to use wardrobe hangers, then standard boxes will do just fine. All other small effects in wardrobes should be packed into boxes.
Lamps.
Lampshades should be dismantled and packed separately. Lamps and lamp shades should each be placed in separate boxes. If two lamp shades are put together a piece of plain paper should be put between them so that they can be easily pulled apart. Table lamps should be dismantled also, and packed as though they were china.
Pictures.
Oil pictures should be covered in bubble wrapped or wrapped in blankets, and then placed in a picture box or a flattened out box with the ends taped. Pictures in glass frames or mirrors should be wrapped in blankets and packed in picture cartons or flattened out cartons. Mark the exterior of the carton with 'Glass'.
Hi-fi & video etc.
Electronic equipment should be padded and boxed so that knobs are not broken off or can rub on the box and damage the finish. Keep all power leads remotes and cables with the respective piece of equipment.
Plants.
Pack 5 or 6 smaller plants into a carton with some packing material between the pots so they won't fall over, seal the box with the flaps up to give extra protection. Leave larger plants for us to deal with. In winter on longer journeys frost can be a problem for the more delicate plants. Garden plants/shrubs can be taken but make sure the roots are well bagged up to avoid loose soil in the back of the van.
China & glass.
These items require good packing. Screw up several sheets of newspaper, and layer the bottom of the box, completely covering the base. Wrap all fragile items in white paper, and place them in the box. When you have covered the layer of paper with them, screw up more newspaper, and repeat the process, until the carton is full. Glasses should also be individually wrapped and packed standing up; they're stronger when standing than if laid on their side. Plates should be individually wrapped and then stood on their side in the box- (NEVER lay them flat), all the weight would be on the bottom plate, and if the box is set down too strongly the bottom plate could break. You can also use soft items such as cushions for extra padding. In addition, clearly mark all cartons that contain fragile items.
Labelling.
Ensure to mark all boxes with the location you require them at your new address. You can use a Biro or suitable marker pen for this, or if you prefer, sticky labels. Note. Be sure to seal as many cartons as possible, and completely fill the boxes. As they will have to be stacked in the lorry. You can use cushions and other soft objects to fill boxes; this will also help protect the contents.
Fridges & freezers.
Should be emptied and defrosted. Contents may be left in freezers provided they are bagged and the journey is short. The bags will be taken out immediately prior to it being moved to be replaced when the freezer is in position in the van.
Cookers.
Should be cleaned thoroughly as grease can lead to a nasty accident. Gas cookers generally have a bayonet fitting. Check though in case a plumber is needed. Also pack the glass plate out of the microwave and any loose fittings off the cooker.
Washing machines.
Should be disconnected and contents emptied. A drum locking bar should be fitted to automatic machines. Whilst we have moved thousands of machines without locking bars and have had no problems, it should be noted, that fitting the bar is part of the manufacturers warranty.
Dismantling any furniture.
Dismantling should only be carried out where absolutely necessary. The old style wardrobes divide in the middle, so all the pieces which cross the joint will have to be removed. Modern wardrobes dismantle into panels; great care must be taken with the sections as chipboard is very easily damaged. Start by removing the back, and then if possible lay the wardrobe on its back. Tape any fittings to the relevant sections. Ensure too, that chipboard wardrobes are sturdy enough to be moved.
Garden tools.
Garden tools should be cleaned as they will be going in the same van as your furniture. Use packing tape bound tightly around them to make neat bundles. Note, we normally load these last to keep them as far away from your household items as possible.
Garden swings.
These will have to be dismantled. Squirt penetrating oil (WD 40) into the nuts a few days before you intend dismantling them, this should make dismantling easier.
Sheds.
Sheds should be dismantled in advance.
The Basics
Proper Packing is the most important thing that you can do to save time,money, andaggravation! Basically, use common sense when packing. Pack heavier things like books into smaller boxes, and pack lighter things in progressively larger boxes. Try not to make the box to heavy. It should be light enough to be carried by one person with ease.
Thoroughly wrap fragile items individually with paper, bubble wrap or foam wrap depending on the item. Special care must be taken with small items so as not to lose them in the packing materials. Taping over the wrapping is a good technique to highlight a small item as not being merely a bunched up piece of paper. Glassware and china should be wrapped so as not to clatter within the box. Use plenty of paper to line the top, bottom and side of each box.
All staples in boxes should be removed so as to safeguard surfaces such as wood floors, counter tops, and furniture where cartons may be stacked prior to pickup and after delivery. Do not interlock box flaps together - always tape bottoms and tops with at least three strips of tape and at least halfway up or down the sides of the box for strength. Remember that taping reinforces the strength of the box, and yet can be easily cut with a blade later when unpacking.
Mark the top and sides of all cartons on the tape with contents and destination location (such as bedroom, kitchen, or basement). This will make identifying where things are easy when they are stacked on top of each other. If the box is reused, then using fresh tape over marked taped easily eliminates old markings.
Plan well ahead.
Don't save all your packing for the last day. Begin packing items not needed well in advance. Packing gets more and more tiresome over a period of time, so it is good to jump start the packing chore as much as possible. Disassemble items that need to be taken apart and carefully save any hardware involved (see below). Sometimes lost hardware is virtually impossible to replace, so be very careful where you save it.
Books.
Books and records are deceptively heavy, use smaller boxes for these items. If you do run out of smaller cartons, use larger ones, but only part fill them with the heavy items placed on the bottom, then fill the box with lighter items.
Drawers.
Drawers in chests and divan beds should be all emptied.
Clothes.
Wardrobe cartons are a great way of packing your clothes. You can take your cloths straight out of the wardrobe and hang them on the rails. Make sure all hangers are the same way round as this makes transferring them much easier. If you don’t want to use wardrobe hangers, then standard boxes will do just fine. All other small effects in wardrobes should be packed into boxes.
Lamps.
Lampshades should be dismantled and packed separately. Lamps and lamp shades should each be placed in separate boxes. If two lamp shades are put together a piece of plain paper should be put between them so that they can be easily pulled apart. Table lamps should be dismantled also, and packed as though they were china.
Pictures.
Oil pictures should be covered in bubble wrapped or wrapped in blankets, and then placed in a picture box or a flattened out box with the ends taped. Pictures in glass frames or mirrors should be wrapped in blankets and packed in picture cartons or flattened out cartons. Mark the exterior of the carton with 'Glass'.
Hi-fi & video etc.
Electronic equipment should be padded and boxed so that knobs are not broken off or can rub on the box and damage the finish. Keep all power leads remotes and cables with the respective piece of equipment.
Plants.
Pack 5 or 6 smaller plants into a carton with some packing material between the pots so they won't fall over, seal the box with the flaps up to give extra protection. Leave larger plants for us to deal with. In winter on longer journeys frost can be a problem for the more delicate plants. Garden plants/shrubs can be taken but make sure the roots are well bagged up to avoid loose soil in the back of the van.
China & glass.
These items require good packing. Screw up several sheets of newspaper, and layer the bottom of the box, completely covering the base. Wrap all fragile items in white paper, and place them in the box. When you have covered the layer of paper with them, screw up more newspaper, and repeat the process, until the carton is full. Glasses should also be individually wrapped and packed standing up; they're stronger when standing than if laid on their side. Plates should be individually wrapped and then stood on their side in the box- (NEVER lay them flat), all the weight would be on the bottom plate, and if the box is set down too strongly the bottom plate could break. You can also use soft items such as cushions for extra padding. In addition, clearly mark all cartons that contain fragile items.
Labelling.
Ensure to mark all boxes with the location you require them at your new address. You can use a Biro or suitable marker pen for this, or if you prefer, sticky labels. Note. Be sure to seal as many cartons as possible, and completely fill the boxes. As they will have to be stacked in the lorry. You can use cushions and other soft objects to fill boxes; this will also help protect the contents.
Fridges & freezers.
Should be emptied and defrosted. Contents may be left in freezers provided they are bagged and the journey is short. The bags will be taken out immediately prior to it being moved to be replaced when the freezer is in position in the van.
Cookers.
Should be cleaned thoroughly as grease can lead to a nasty accident. Gas cookers generally have a bayonet fitting. Check though in case a plumber is needed. Also pack the glass plate out of the microwave and any loose fittings off the cooker.
Washing machines.
Should be disconnected and contents emptied. A drum locking bar should be fitted to automatic machines. Whilst we have moved thousands of machines without locking bars and have had no problems, it should be noted, that fitting the bar is part of the manufacturers warranty.
Dismantling any furniture.
Dismantling should only be carried out where absolutely necessary. The old style wardrobes divide in the middle, so all the pieces which cross the joint will have to be removed. Modern wardrobes dismantle into panels; great care must be taken with the sections as chipboard is very easily damaged. Start by removing the back, and then if possible lay the wardrobe on its back. Tape any fittings to the relevant sections. Ensure too, that chipboard wardrobes are sturdy enough to be moved.
Garden tools.
Garden tools should be cleaned as they will be going in the same van as your furniture. Use packing tape bound tightly around them to make neat bundles. Note, we normally load these last to keep them as far away from your household items as possible.
Garden swings.
These will have to be dismantled. Squirt penetrating oil (WD 40) into the nuts a few days before you intend dismantling them, this should make dismantling easier.
Sheds.
Sheds should be dismantled in advance.