Packing Tips
We hope you will find helpful these tips on packing your small articles so that they can be safely moved.
Small
articles such as dishes, table lamps, pictures, and other fragile
bric-a-brac must be thoughtfully and carefully packed in boxes if they
are to arrive at your destination in as good condition as they were
prior to being packed and moved.
Packing
for moving is an art requiring a certain amount of expertise and
know-how. Exodus Moving has a well trained and qualified staff to do
any part of the packing you might prefer to leave to us. We have all of
the proper equipment and materials to do the job efficiently and
thoroughly. If you need assistance with your packing please let us
know, we will be happy to quote a price for this service.
Much
of the secret of packing, however, is having the right materials with
which to work, and the application of some good common sense. If you
are going to do your own packing, the tips contained in this booklet
should help remove some of the mystery.
Materials You Will Need
Wrapping Paper:
You are going to need plenty of wrapping paper. Many people
save and use their old newspapers. Keep in mind, however, that the ink
on newsprint never thoroughly dries. Consequently, the goods you wrap
in newspapers are most likely going to be soiled and will require
cleaning after unpacking, and before you put them away. For items you
prefer to keep clean it would be best to purchase some packing paper.
Cartons:
You'll need many boxes in assorted sizes. All boxes should
be in good condition, and must be able to be closed and sealed.
You
can purchase cartons from us, if you wish. It must be pointed out,
however, that all paper products are expensive these days, and
specially designed movers cartons are no exception.
You
might start collecting cartons from your local grocery and liquor
stores. All too often grocery store cartons have the tops removed, but
if you have a talk with the store manager it may be possible to have
some for you with the covers still intact. Liquor cartons are excellent
packing cartons. They are sturdy, and contain dividers which make them
ideal for packing glasses, goblets, vases, etc.
Sealing Tape: The best tape for this purpose is plastic tape. Your rolls of tape should be at least 1.5 to 2 inches wide.
Magic Marker: This is for marking your packed boxes with such information as the contents of the box, "FRAGILE" "THIS SIDE UP", etc.
Color Dots/Labels:
Design your own system: Blue for the living room, yellow
for bedrooms. Red for the kitchen. Green for the home office. Whatever
system you choose, color coding can be a simple, way to quickly
indicate location.
Some Things To Consider
Start
collecting boxes early. An easy way to store cartons so that they won't
require a great deal of storage is to open both ends of the cartons and
flatten them out. You can open them up again and re-seal the bottoms
with your plastic tape as you are ready to use them.
Pack
on a room-by-room basis. That is, don't pack articles from the living
room in boxes with articles from the kitchen. This will save much
confusion later when it's time to unpack. If possible, start packing
early. Remember, if you were to pack only a couple of boxes a day, in
thirty days you would have sixty boxes packed. You could start in areas
where the goods are not in frequent use - such as the cellar, attic,
garage, closet shelves, etc.
Dresser
drawers need to be empty. Movers usually do not move chests of drawers
with the contents of drawers left intact. Too much weight in the drawer
could cause damage to the drawer while your furniture is enroute.
What
size boxes should you use? The rule-of-thumb here is the small, heavy
articles, such as books, records, canned goods, etc., would go in
smaller boxes. Bulkier, but not-so-heavy articles, such as pots and
pans, linens, small kitchen appliances, etc., would go in somewhat
larger boxes. Very bulky, lightweight articles, such as blankets,
pillows, toys, large lampshades, shoes, etc., would go in the largest
boxes.
Do not pack
for moving any flammables, combustibles, or explosives. The safety of
the shipment is the primary concern. Movers are not supposed to
transport aerosol spray cans, paint thinner, gasoline, or anything else
of a flammable or explosive nature.
Packing In The Kitchen
Packing
is much more convenient, and less tiring when you have a good work
area. It is suggested that you clear the kitchen table and do your
packing on the table. Keep in mind that when you are packing fragile
articles you should plan to pack the heaviest objects toward the bottom
of the carton; more delicate articles should be packed closer to the
top of the carton. The first thing to do is to lay out flat on the
table a sizable stack of packing paper. Select a sturdy, medium sized
carton. Line the bottom of the carton with several layers of packing
paper for additional cushioning.
Packing Flatware
Place one plate in approximately the center of your packing paper.
Grasp
about two sheets of paper at one corner. Pull over plate so as to
completely cover plate. Stack second plate on first plate.
Grasp second corner of your paper. Pull over and cover stacked plates.
Stack third plate. Take remaining two corners (one at a time) and fold each over your stack of plates.
Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
Re-wrap
entire bundle. Follow same wrapping procedure as before, 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 plastic tape.
Place the bundle of flatware in carton so the plates are standing on edge.
For all flatware, saucers, bread and butter dishes, etc., follow the same procedure.
Note:
Small dishes (saucers, bread and butter dishes) can be stacked in
greater quantity in a bundle. Also you can omit steps 5 and 6 and seal
your bundle without rewrapping.
Packing Cups And Glasses
Cups
and glasses may be "nested" (one placed inside another) and three or
four wrapped in a bundle. Tear or cut-up some small sheets of paper.
Use at least a couple of small sheets between each glass or cup as
protective lining. Take first glass and line with a couple of sheets of
your cut-up paper.
Place second glass (or cup) inside the first one. Line with two more sheets of paper. Insert another glass (or cup).
Using
your best judgment, nest three or four glasses (or cups) and lay these
on your stack of wrapping paper in a diagonal manner, off center closer
to your body.
Grasp corner closest to you of two sheets of wrapping paper. Wrap around your glasses (or cups).
Grasp next corner of wrapping paper and wrap around your glasses.
Repeat
procedure with remaining corners of wrapping paper. Then roll into a
bundle (much the same as a butcher might wrap a package of hamburger).
If
you have collected some liquor cartons with dividers, pack glasses,
cups and stemware in these boxes. If your bundle does not fill to the
top of the compartment, stuff additional wadded-up packing paper in the
compartment to fill it up.
If
you don't have liquor cartons then pack your glasses, cups and stemware
in boxes with your other dishes fitting them in where ever you find
some spaces. Be sure these articles are toward the top of your carton.
Goblets And Stemware
Pack
goblets and stemware singly. Do not attempt to nest them as you did
with glasses. Follow the same wrapping procedure as you did with
glasses and cups.
Packing Small Kitchen Appliances
It's
best to pack your small kitchen appliances (blender, toaster, can
opener, coffee maker, etc.) together in one or two boxes (or more, as
necessary) rather than in other boxes with other goods. Later, when
unpacking, you will find this much more convenient.
Wrap
each appliance individually with two or three sheets of your packing
paper. Place each one in the box you have selected for appliances. When
all appliances have been packed in a box, or boxes, if there are small
spaces that are empty, wad-up some packing paper and fill in the
spaces. However, if you should have a great amount of space left over
then you should pack some other things in the box in order to fill it
up and not waste the space. For example, you might get a few pots and
pans in the carton, too.
Packing Pots And Pans
Approximately
three pots or pans can be nested, one inside the other. Tear or cut up
some pieces of your packing paper (large enough so that they will line
the entire interior of the largest pan).
Place two or three sheets of your lining paper in the larger pan.
Place
the next small pan inside the first pan. Again line this pan with two
or three protective pieces of lining paper and insert a smaller pan.
Place
these pans upside down in the middle of your stack of packing paper.
Use at least three sheets of packing paper to wrap the pans.
Start
by grasping one corner of approximately three sheets of your packing
paper, and pulling over, and covering the pans. Then pull the next
corner of paper over the pans; then the third corner, and finally the
fourth corner. Seal with your plastic tape so that the bundle will not
come apart.
Pack in a medium sized carton.
This same procedure can be followed in packing large bowls, too.
Pantry Packing Tips
Boxed Foods (cereals, etc.):
Seal with your plastic tape those boxes which have been
opened. No need to wrap such items in packing paper. Note: If your
shipment is going into storage then you should dispose of boxed foods.
These items can attract rodents and insects.
Spices: Okay to pack and ship. Make sure all cans are closed and won't leak. If in doubt, seal them with tape.
Cannister sets:
Contents may be left in cannister sets. Again, it's a good
idea to seal them with tape. Each cannister should be individually
wrapped with packing paper.
Packing Tall Table Lamps
Your
major problem in packing a tall lamp may be acquiring a carton large
enough to accommodate it. If you can't find such a carton you can
purchase dishpack cartons from your mover in which to pack tall lamps.
Dishpack cartons are tall, extra sturdy cartons originally intended for
packing fragile articles, such as dishes.
Remove lamp shade and bulb, Wrap cord around base of lamp.
Line
the bottom of your carton with a considerable amount of wadded-up
packing paper. This will insure extra cushioning and protection for the
lamp.
Spread out
several sheets of packing paper so that your packing paper is extended
longer and wider than the lamp. Place lamp in the center of your
packing paper.
Roll
packing paper around your lamp.Tuck in the end ot the paper at base of
lamp. Use sealing tape, it necessary, to prevent end from coming apart.
Seal the seams where packing paper overlaps around your bundle with your tape.
Fold up other end (at the top of lamp) of packing paper and seal with tape, Place bundle in previously lined carton.
If
you have several tall table lamps, place them each in the carton so
that the base of one lamp is next to the top of the next lamp.
Alternate them. This will make them fit better in the carton.
When
all lamps are packed in the carton, fill out the carton with plenty of
wadded-up packing paper. Be generous. Mark "FRAGILE" and "LAMPS" in
large, clear letters on all sides of the carton.
Lamp Shades
Lamp
shades, where possible, should be nested so that you can get two or
three in a box. Use CLEAN packing paper (do not use newspaper) as
protective linings between each shade.
Do not pack anything with lamp shades.
Be sure and mark on all sides of the carton in large, bold letters "FRAGILE", "LAMP SHADES" with your magic marker.
Packing Artwork
Small pictures can be wrapped and stood up in normal packing boxes with other goods.
Extremely
large pictures, such as the type commonly found hanging over a sofa or
mantle (24" x 36" and larger) should be packed by your mover in a
specially designed picture or mirror carton.
Many
pictures, however, that are just a little too large to fit in regular
cartons (16" x 20" or 18" x 24") can be packed in a self-devised
picture carton.
Select a carton that is larger than your picture when open at both ends.
Lay
your picture, face down, on several sheets of packing paper which have
been spread out so as to be almost twice as wide as your picture.
Open the bottom of the carton, and then flatten the carton. Seal one of the open sides with your tape.
Wrap the picture in much the same manner as you might a gift box.
Bring
one side of the packing paper around the picture so that it will cover
most of the back of the picture. Then bring the second side of the
packing paper around to cover the back of the picture. Seal with tape.
Fold up both ends of the packing paper and bring over the back of the
picture. Seal with tape. Turn picture over and seal the areas where the
packing paper overlaps. Slide picture into unsealed side of your carton
and seal this end with your tape.
Miscellaneous Packing Tips
Hat and Shoe Boxes:
Small boxes of this type should be consolidated and packed
into large boxes. Fill in small spaces with wadded packing paper.
Toys: Do not have to be wrapped in packing paper. Place them in large cartons and seal them up.
Loose Shoes: Same as toys.
Books and Records: Stand on end. Use small cartons.
Aerosol Containers: Do not pack aerosol or flammable containers.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation estimate
Please call 972-503-MOVE (6683) for a quote or to schedule your move!
