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Packing Tips
Good packing is essential for a good move. If you choose to do
some or all of your own packing in preparation for your
relocation, it's especially important that you be familiar
with the techniques and boxes
that will best protect your possessions.
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 Ready,
Set, Pack!
Checklist
of the Basics
How
to Pack |
| Ready, Set, Pack!
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China,
Glassware & Silverware
Flat
China & Glassware
Bowls
& Odd-Shaped Items
Cups
Silver
Figurines
& Other Delicate Items
Fragile
Items
Artificial
Flowers
Lamp
Bases
Lamp
Shades
Glass Tops, Marble
Tops, Mirrors, Paintings, Large Vases & Statues
Books
Photographs
Compact
Discs, Tapes & Records
Clothing
Linens
& Bedding
Draperies
& Curtains
Rugs
Major
Appliances
Small
Appliances
Tools
Outdoor
Equipment
Food
Limiting cartons, when possible, to a
maximum weight of 50 pounds to make handling easier.
 Wrapping
items carefully.
Providing
plenty of cushioning to absorb shock.
Using
sturdy cartons that close.
Making
sure cartons are firmly packed and do not rattle,
bulge outward or bend inward.
Not
mixing items from different rooms in the same carton,
when possible.
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| Checklist of the
Basics |
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Start
with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used
infrequently. Leave until last the
things you'll need until
moving day.
Empty
drawers of breakables, spillables, items that should not be moved
and anything that
would puncture or damage other items. You may leave
blankets,
sweaters, lingerie, bath
towels and similar soft, lightweight goods
in
drawers.
Pack
similar items together. Do not pack a delicate china
figurine in the same carton
with cast-iron frying pans,
for example.
Keep
all parts or pairs of things together. For example,
curtain rod hangers, mirror
bolts and other small hardware
items should be placed in plastic bags
and taped or tied securely to the
article to which they belong.
Wind
electrical cords, secure them so they do not
dangle.
Wrap
items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper,
paper towels or even facial tissue
for fine china, crystal and
delicate items. Colored wrapping draws attention to
very
small things. Use a double
layer of newspaper for a good outer wrapping.
Place
a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the
bottom of a carton for cushioning.
Build
up in layers, with heaviest things on the bottom,
medium weight next and lightest on
top.
As
each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly
with crushed paper and add more
crushed paper to make a level
base for the next layer, or use sheets or cardboard
cut
from cartons as dividers.
Cushion
well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight
blankets also may be used for
padding and cushioning. The
more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be
sure
no sharp points, edges or rims
are lift uncovered.
Pack
small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately
or a few together in small
boxes, cushioning with crushed
or shredded paper.
Place
small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces
with crushed paper.
Avoid
overloading cartons, but strive for a firm pack that
will prevent items from shifting;
the cover should close easily
without force, but should not bend inward.
Seal
cartons tightly with tape except for those containing
items listed on United's
High-Value Inventory form.
These must be left open for the van operator's
inspection.
As
you finish with each carton, list the contents on the
side of the carton (for easy viewing
while cartons are stacked) and
in a special notebook. You might want to number and/or
code the cartons as well.
Indicate
your name and the room to which each carton should be
delivered at destination.
Tape a sign on the door of
each room at destination corresponding to the carton
labels
so movers can get the cartons
into the proper rooms quickly.
Put
a special mark on cartons you want to unpack first at
destination.
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How To Pack
China, Glassware & Silverware |
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Moving
company packers use a dish pack -- an exceptionally
sturdy corrugated carton of
double- wall construction —
for china, glassware and other fragile items less than
18 inches
in size. Unless cartons of
similar strength and construction are valuable, you
might want to
purchase several dish packs
from the moving company.
Wrap
all pieces of china and glassware individually in
clean paper. Using several sheets
of paper, start from the
corner, wrapping diagonally and continuously tucking
in overlapping
edges. A double layer of
newspaper serves well as an outer wrapping. A generous
amount
of paper padding and
cushioning is required for all china and glassware.
Label cartons,
"FRAGILE — THIS SIDE
UP."
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| Flat China &
Glassware |
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Larger
china and glass plates, platters and other flat pieces
are excellent as the lowest layer
in a dish pack.
Place
cushioning material in the bottom of a carton. Wrap
each piece individually then wrap up
to three in a bundle with a
double layer of newspaper. Place these bundled items
in the carton
in a row on edge.
Surround
each bundle with crushed paper, being careful to leave
no unfilled spaces. Add two
or three inches of crushed
paper on top of the bundle to protect rims and make a
level base
for the next tier. Horizontal
cardboard dividers can be helpful in keeping layers
level.
Smaller
plates, saucers and shallow bowls can make up a second
layer. Wrap and pack in
the same way as larger items.
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| Bowls &
Odd-Shaped Items |
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Depending
on their weight, these might be used either as the
bottom or middle layers. Wrap
the same way as flat plates.
Stand
shallow bowls (soup plates, etc.) on edge in the
carton and deep ones (such as
mixing bowls) nested two or
three together, upside down on their rims.
Wrap
sugar bowl lids in tissue, turning them upside down on
top of the bowl. Then, wrap
both together in clean paper,
followed by an outer double layer of newspaper. Wrap
cream pitchers in clean paper
and then a double outer wrapping. Place sugar bowls,
cream pitchers, sauce
containers and similar pieces upright in the carton.
Complete
the layer as for plates.
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| Cups |
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Even
when using a dish pack and mini-cells for china, wrap
cups individually, protecting
handles with an extra layer of
paper. Then, pack cups upside down.
If
not using a dish pack or cells, wrap cups as
previously described in a double layer of
paper and place them upside
down on rims in a row on an upper layer with all
handles
facing the same direction.
Complete the layer as for plates.
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| Silver |
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Because
air causes silver to tarnish, all silver pieces should
be enclosed completely
in clean tissue paper or
plastic wrap. Holloware — including bowls, tea sets
and serving dishes — should
be wrapped carefully as fragile items and packed
like china.
Loose
flatware may be wrapped either individually or in
sets, and in clear plastic or tissue.
If
silverware is in a chest, you still might want to wrap
the pieces individually and reposition
them in the chest. Or, fill in
all empty spaces in the chest with tissue paper or
paper
towels. Wrap the chest with a
large bath towel.
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| Figurines &
Other Delicate Items |
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Wrap
first in tissue paper, paper towels or facial tissue.
Then, wrap carefully in newsprint
that has been crushed and
flattened out. Be sure the items are well-protected
with plenty
of cushioning.
Small
mirrors, plaques and pictures should be wrapped
individually in tissue paper. A bath
towel or small blanket makes
an excellent outer wrapping and padding for glass.
Place
items on edge in a carton.
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| Fragile Items |
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Many
moving companies use a material called bubble pack
(plastic with bubbles) for
exceptionally fragile items.
If an item is extremely valuable as well as delicate,
it might be wise to have it
packed for you. Special materials might be needed for
maximum protection.
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| Artificial
Flowers |
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An
arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in
its own carton. Wrap carefully in
plastic wrap, tissue paper or
paper towels. If possible, fasten the base of the
floral
piece to the bottom of the
carton. Label the carton "FRAGILE — THIS SIDE
UP."
For
instructions on moving live plants, ask your agent for
a "Moving With House Plants"
brochure.
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| Lamp Bases |
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After
removing the light bulb and lamp harp, wrap the base,
harp and bulb separately in
newsprint. (Use paper pads for
large lamps.) Place them together in a carton, filling
spaces with crushed paper.
More than one well-cushioned lamp may be packed in a
carton.
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| Lamp Shades |
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Never
wrap lamp shades in newspaper. Carefully wrap each
shade in three or four sheets
of tissue paper, a pillowcase
or a large lightweight towel.
To
allow for movement, use a sturdy carton at least two
inches larger all around than
the largest shade. Line it
with clean paper, using crushed paper under the lamp
shade
to create a protective layer,
but not around the shade. A small shade can be nested
inside a large one, if you are
sure they will not touch. Only one silk shade should
be placed in a carton to avoid
stretching the silk.
Do
not pack other items with shades. Label cartons
"LAMP SHADES — FRAGILE."
It
is best to have the moving company crate large
Tiffany-type or other glass lamp shades
or chandeliers.
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Glass Table Tops,
Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Paintings,
Statues & Large Vases |
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All
are easily damaged. Glass might shatter, and marble
slabs can crack at veins. Paper
never should be permitted to
touch the surface of an oil painting.
It's
best to consult with your moving company about
custom-made cartons and crates for
items of this kind.
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| Books |
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Pack
them either flat or with the spine touching the bottom
of the carton. Do not pack with
spine facing up, as glue can
break away from the binder. Pack books of the same
general
size together.
Expensively
bound volumes or those of special sentimental value
should be individually
wrapped before packing.
Because
books are heavy, be sure to use small cartons.
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| Photographs |
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Family
photographs, videos, slides and negatives should be
packed in separate cartons
rather than being combined
with other household items.
Protect
framed photos with padding and cushioning, standing
them on edge in a carton.
Label cartons clearly for easy
identification.
If
possible, carry irreplaceable items with you to
destination.
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| Compact Discs,
Tapes & Records |
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Remove
these items from the stereo or storage cabinet. Keep
in mind records are heavy
and should be packed in small
cartons.
If
records are not in jackets, wrap individually in
tissue paper or plastic wrap to
protect them from being
scratched.
Stand
compact discs and records on edge, never flat, on a
layer of crushed paper.
Support at both ends with a
large, hardcover book or several pieces of cardboard
cut to fit. Top with another
layer of crushed paper. Identify contents on the
outside of the box and mark
"FRAGILE."
Cassette
tapes should be placed in the protective plastic box
in which they came, if
possible, and then wrapped
individually in crumpled paper. Place individual
tapes either vertically or
horizontally on a couple of layers of crushed paper.
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| Clothing |
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Clothing
left on hangers and placed in wardrobe cartons used by
moving companies will
arrive at destination
wrinkle-free. You might want to purchase several of
these special
cartons from your moving
company. One will hold about two feet of compressed
clothing
on hangers.
If
wardrobe cartons are not used, each garment should be
removed from its hanger, folded
and placed in a suitcase or a
carton lined with clean paper. Some lightweight
clothing —
such as lingerie and sweaters
— may be left in bureau drawers.
Hats
may be left in hatboxes and placed in a large carton.
Or, stuff the crown of each
hat with crumpled tissue
paper; wrap tissue loosely around the outside and
place in a
carton lined with clean paper,
with the heavier hats on the bottom. Don't pack
anything
else with hats. Label the
carton "FRAGILE."
Footwear
may be left in shoeboxes and placed in a large carton.
Or, wrap each shoe
individually and then in
pairs. Footwear should be cushioned to avoid damage to
heels
or ornaments. Don't pack heavy
items on top of shoes.
It
is recommended that you take your furs with you rather
than having them moved on
the van.
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| Linens &
Bedding |
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Blankets,
sheets, tablecloths, towels, pillowcases and other
linens may be protected by a
large plastic bag and packed
in a carton that has been lined with clean paper.
Wrap
your most prized linens in tissue. Also, linens and
bedding are good for cushioning
or padding many types of
items.
Special
mattress cartons in various sizes are available from
your moving company for a
nominal charge. Pillows may be
placed in bureau drawers or packed in cartons.
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| Draperies &
Curtains |
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Clothing
wardrobes are ideal for moving curtains and draperies.
Fold them lengthwise,
place over a padded hanger,
pin securely and hang in the wardrobe.
Draperies
and curtains also may be folded and packed in cartons
lined with clean paper
or plastic wrap.
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| Rugs |
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Leave
rugs on the floor for the moving company to handle. If
they've just been returned from
the cleaners, leave them
rolled.
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| Major Appliances |
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Pre-move
preparation is required for many major appliances. Set
an appointment with a
service technician to prepare
your major appliances for shipment -- or have your
agent send someone out who is
authorized to perform this service.
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| Small Appliances |
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Items
such as clocks, small radios and other small
appliances should be wrapped
individually and packed in a
carton cushioned with crushed paper.
Small
clocks, transistor radios and similar items can be
packed in the same carton with
linens or as extra items with
lamp bases. Make sure cords are wrapped so as not to
scratch or otherwise damage
items.
Steam
irons should be emptied of all water, wrapped and
placed in the cushioned bottom
of a box.
Remove
all batteries from small appliances before packing.
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| Tools |
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Long-handled
garden tools, as well as brooms and mops, should be
bundled together
securely. Attachments should
be removed from power tools and packed separately.
Hand
tools may be left in tool boxes and the spaces filled
with crushed paper, or they may
be packed according to general
packing rules. Always use small cartons because tools
usually are heavy.
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| Outdoor Equipment |
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Before
moving day, dismantle children's swing sets, TV
antennas and garden sheds.
Gather pieces and bundle
together with nylon cord. Place small hardware in a
cloth bag
and securely attach to
corresponding equipment.
Prepare
lawn mower by draining gasoline prior to the day of
loading.
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| Food |
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Take
only food items you are sure will travel well. Do not
take anything perishable. In the
winter months, do not take
anything subject to freezing.
Open
boxes of dried or powdered foods such as rice,
macaroni and cereals should be
sealed with tape. Small
containers of herbs and spices, condiments, bouillon
cubes,
gelatin, flavorings, etc.
should be placed together in a small box before
packing
in a large carton. Cover holes
of shaker-type containers and seal with tape.
Since
canned goods are heavy, the amount placed in one
carton should be limited.
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| A Word About Special
Household Items |
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The popularity of home electronic items has added a
new dimension for the do-it-yourself packer. Home
computers, microwave ovens and stereo systems require
special care to ensure they arrive at destination
safely.
If you saved the original cartons and packing
materials in which these items arrived, it is best to
repack using those materials. Should you not have
these materials, you might want to contact a store
selling your particular item and ask if discarded
packing materials are available.
Your United agent is familiar with current techniques
for properly packing electronic items and can assist
you with advice or pack the items for you. It is your
responsibility to disconnect electronic items prior to
packers' arrival. |
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