How to pack like a professional
Careful packing is one of the most important aspects of your move. Well-packed household goods stand
little chance of being damaged. Also, packing room by room can help to make unpacking and storage much less of a chore.
Whether you have us do the packing or you do it yourself depends upon your circumstances. Some people simply
do not have the time to devote to what can be an intimidating task. In such cases, we provide the finest in safe and
professional packing services. But for families on a budget, self-packing can mean considerable savings.
Even if
you choose to do the packing yourself, you might still consider having us pack the more fragile items such as dishes,
crystal, lamps, etc. You enjoy the security of having these more costly items professionally packed while reducing your costs
by doing the bulk of the job yourself. Paul’s Transfer can also provide wardrobe cartons to hang your clothes
in so they don't get wrinkled during your move.
Packing Materials | Dish Packs
| These are "extra thick walled"
cartons specifically designed for dishes, glasses and other fragile items.
| Cell-Packs | Optional separators for china or glassware with
individual compartments for the items being packed.
| Large
| Very light, bulky articles, such as pillows, comforters, and lamp shades. | Medium
| Non- fragile and moderately heavy items,
such as pots, pans, games, folded clothing, misc. | Book
| Smaller cartons designed for very heavy items, such as books, records
and canned goods. | Wardrobe
Cartons
| Equipped
with metal bar so that clothes may hang naturally. | Mirror/Picture
Cartons | Narrow cartons that adjust in length and width to
accommodate different sized mirrors, pictures and other fragile, flat items.
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Mattress Cartons:.
Sized for various mattresses. Tape: Movers use either a plastic tape called "PVC" (approximately
1 1/2-inches wide) or "strapping tape." Stop by our Packing Supplies page to order any boxes and supplies you may need. |
Most of these moving cartons
may be purchased from Pauls Transfer by stopping by our offices or calling to have them delivered. You also may be able to
obtain cartons from your local grocery store. However, grocers usually slit cartons open along the sides instead of at the
seams making them unusable for packing. In any case, be certain the cartons you use are of adequate size and strength. The most important aspect of packing is good wrapping and cushioning
material. NEVER USE NEWSPAPERS! Newspaper ink has a tendency to rub off on everything it touches and can be almost impossible
to remove from items like fine china.
Professional packers, like the ones at our company, use "newsprint"
(unprinted newspaper) as cushioning material. You can get newsprint from us or, in many instances, from your local self
storage center.
The amount of newsprint you use depends on the items being packed. Obviously, towels or sheets
in a carton require no packing material at all. For dishes or fragile items, a layer of crumpled paper should be used to line
the bottom of the carton to a depth of approximately four inches. Each item should be individually wrapped--with crushed paper
between items as needed.
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Plates, Saucers, China:
Wrap individually and then bundle three or four together. Stand on end in carton. Never lay flat. Use
the larger items as the bottom layer and place crumpled paper as cushioning between each layer. Hats: If the hat is in a hatbox, the pack that
box into a larger carton.
If not, place in smallest carton posible, loosely stuffed with crushed
paper.
You can do this either by itself or with other hats, just make sure they are not bent or crushed.
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Bowls: Odd-shaped items and bowls should be individually
wrapped and placed in the upper layers. Place on edge in the carton with bottom facing up.
Lamps: Lamp bases should be wrapped, cushioned and
packed in Dish-Pack cartons. Lampshades should be packed singly in appropriate sized carton. Be careful not to put too much
paper in lampshade carton as they dent easily. Cushion loosely.
Cups and Glasses: Like bowls, cups and glasses should go on top, rim down and individually wrapped.
Glassware and Crystal: Always individually wrap as top layer. Never put one piece inside
another. If items are particularly fragile, pack first in smaller carton, then in large one with cushioning all
around.
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Flowers: Dried flowers should be packed alone in
appropriate sized carton loosely cushioned with paper. Live plants will probably not survive on a long distance move and movers
cannot accept responsibility. Some states do not allow the movement of live plants at all because of pest problems like
the gypsy moth.
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Stereos, Radios, etc.: Components and small electronics
should be well wrapped and cushioned in either medium (3.0 cu. ft.) or large (4.5 cu. ft.) cartons. Large
console stereo and televisions should not be packed. They will be padded by driver and moved as furniture.
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Books: Pack upright with open edges and bound ends alternating. If any have fragile covers,
wrap in paper.
Mirrors, Marble Tops, Glass Tops, Pictures: All mirrors,
pictures, marble or glass tops should be packed in picture-mirror cartons, unless they are very small. The small items may
be wrapped and packed in dish-pack cartons on edge. Very large marble or glass tops should be crated by professional
packers. Their weight makes them impractical to be moved by carton.
Clothing: Hanging items should go into wardrobe cartons. Clothing may stay in dressers if dressers are sturdy. All other folded clothing should be packed in medium (3.0 cu. ft.) cartons.
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Food: Boxed dry food should be packed in medium (3.0
cu. ft.) cartons with openings taped shut to prevent spillage. Jars or canned goods should be packed in book (1.5 cu.
ft.) cartons with all jars wrapped and cushioned. Never pack or move perishable or frozen food.
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Refrigerator: Don't forget for thoroughly clean your refrigerator and freezer
before you ship. This is especially important if you are going to be storing it for any amount of time. Completely
wipe down and dry the interior of your fridge. Any moisture can quickly turn into mold and bacteria. To avoid moisture
accumulation after cleaning, put in a baking soda pack to absorb any moisture that remains. Make sure it is new and dispose
of it once you are in your new residence. I recommend using the new Arm & Hammer Fridge Fresh packs. They work
great and since they stick on the walls, they are out of the way and don't spill. Click on the fridge fresh picture to get
money saving coupons.
Labeling
Use a heavy marking pen for easy reading. On carton top, list major items such as "GOOD CHINA"
or "CRYSTAL." On carton side near the top, mark which room carton goes into. If carton contains fragile items, mark "FRAGILE" on all four sides. On cartons
containing fragile items or liquids, mark "THIS END UP" on carton top and put arrows pointing up on all four sides.
Additional Common Sense Tips
Use cartons of adequate size and strength. Try not to pack any one box
heavier than 50 pounds. Cushion
bottom of carton and between layers when packing fragile items.
Wrap all fragile items individually.
Pack heavier items in lower layers, lighter items in upper layers.
Paper cushioning absorbs shock. Be generous.
Loose packing creates damage. Make sure items are
firmly packed.
Do not overfill
carton. Top should close easily without bulging.
Use "PVC" or "strapping tape" to guard against carton bursting open in
transit.
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Items Not to Pack
Remember that all of your possessions are being loaded into the van and, by law, movers may not accept hazardous
materials for shipment. Restricted items include:
Paint, thinners, oils and varnishes |
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Bottled gas, propane, etc.
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Explosives and corrosives |
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Moving and Children - The following tips
often help children adjust before, during and after a family relocates.
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Include the children in making plans for the move. For example, take them
go house-hunting with you.
Help your child(ren) learn about the new area.
Through play-acting with dolls, boxes and a wagon, children can get a feeling
of "moving".
Let the children help decide how their new rooms are to be arranged and
decorated.
Encourage children to exchange addresses and phone numbers with their friends.
Prepare a package for each child containing snacks, some clothing, and a
few favorite toys for the move.
Take a "family break" as soon as the major unpacking is done. Don't try to
do everything when you arrive.
Parents should spend time after the move listening to each child about new
schools and new friends.
Follow progress in new schools. Accompanying your child(ren) to school the
first few days may ease tension.
Any lingering abnormalities (loss of appetite, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea,
menstrual disorder) should be reported to a doctor.
If your move involves suburban to rural, or vice versa, caution children about
new situations they will face.
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Here are some IRS forms and publications pertaining your move. Moving Expenses Form (Form 3903)
Change of Address Form (Form 8822)
Moving Expenses Publication (Publication 521)
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