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Packers Movers Matarial Tips
Movers Directory provides you with helpful moving tips. Please utilize our
moving tips below to make your move less stressful.
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Packing Materials
Packing Tips
Packing Materials
Use only strong, corrugated cartons with covers. We can supply you with
specially made cartons, for everything from mattresses to clothing and mirrors.
The added protection of mover-provided cartons may avoid damage that results
from the use of poor-quality packing materials.
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Your alternative is to collect boxes discarded by your *grocery or liquor
store. Save old newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink may
rub off and stain clothing or other items.
*WARNING: Insect eggs and insects such as roaches can travel in food
boxes. Keep this in mind when getting boxes from food stores.
Packing Supplies
Here's a list a packing supplies that will come in handy:
" Plastic bags and labels for easy identification.
" Foam peanuts, Styrofoam pellets or "popcorn."
" Tissue or craft paper for delicate packing jobs.
" Corrugated paper rolls for figurines and fragile items.
" Gummed tape (1 1/2 to 2 inches wide) and/or strong twine for sealing
cartons.
" Markers and labels for identifying contents of cartons.
" Notebook and pencil for carton identification log.
" Scissors and/or sharp knife.
Packing Pointers
Before actually packing-up, you need to have a game plan. For example:
" Pack one room at a time. This will help you when it comes time
to unpack.
" Pack a couple of cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.
" Mark all boxes, designating room and box number. Make a carton
identification
" Log to show the number of boxes packed per room, and the total
number of cartons packed.
" It's a good idea to leave space in your log for a special comments
section to note carton conditions or location of high value goods. Notify
your mover of any high value items.
" Be sure to have plenty of "filling" material available.
" Be sure that the bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold
the weight of the contents.
" Packing tape or gummed tape is better than masking tape.
" Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items
toward the top.
" Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving
a lot easier.
A general rule to remember on carton size -- the heavier the item, the
smaller the carton.
Packing Dishware
" Select a medium-sized carton (or mover provided dish pack) and
line the bottom of t he carton with crumpled packing paper.
" With packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work table, center
one plate on the paper.
" Grasp a corner on several sheets of packing paper and pull the
paper over the plate until sheets completely cover the plate.
" Stack a second plate on and, moving clockwise, grasp a second corner
and pull sheets over the second plate.
" Stack a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets
of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.
" Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing
paper.
" Re-wrap the entire bundle: 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 packing tape.
" Place the bundle of dishware in a medium-size box so that the plates
are standing on edge.
Use this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware.
When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantity.
Packing Cups
" With packing paper in place on the work table, position one cup
six to eight inches from one of the corners.
" Now pull the near corner of the paper up and over the cup.
" Nest a second cup directly on top, with handle to left (second
cup should "nest" itself in packing paper folded over the bottom
cups).
" Pull the two side corners up and over, one at a time, and tuck
corners inside the top cup.
" Hold the bottom and top cup in position and roll cups to the remaining
corner. Fragile mixing bowls may be rolled in the same manner.
" Delicate cups, like china, should be wrapped one at a time. Antique
glass or china should be stuffed with crumpled tissue and wrapped one
at a time.
Packing Glasses and Stemware
" Stuff glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper
before wrapping.
" Lie on the corner of packing paper and roll it one or two full
rotations (depending on size); pull sides of packing paper up and over
glass/stemware and continue rolling to the far corner.
" Corrugated paper rolls or cellular boxes may be used for added
protection.
" Place glasses and stemware toward the top of your box. Heavier items
(dishware, pitchers , etc.) should be placed toward the bottom of the box.
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Delicate glassware and stemware should be placed in an upright position,
not on its side. No matter what you're packing, you should use crumpled
packing paper in between each layer to assure a snug fit wherever there's
a gap. All boxes with "fragile" items should be marked accordingly.
Specialized Packing Tips
The list of individual household items is endless. Most can be packed by
following our packing pointers. Here are some additional packing tips for
major items. If you want a more comprehensive list of how to pack special
items, drop us a line.
Bureau Drawers: Don't overload. Too heavy a load can cause damage.
Remove firearms and any items that might break or leak. Firearms, along
with serial numbers, must be registered with your van line representative
before the move.
Canned Goods and Other Non-Frozen Food: Pack upright with no more than 24-30
cans per carton. Don't attempt to move perishables. Wrap glass containers
and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons.
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Frozen Foods and Plants: Because of the delicate and perishable nature
of these items, your mover is prohibited from accepting these packed items
when your shipment is being transported more than 150 miles and/or delivery
will not be accomplished within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of
loading. Frozen food shipped within these guidelines must be packed in a
freezer which at time of loading is at normal deep-freeze temperature.
Clocks: Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks. Grandfather clocks
should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.
Drapes and Curtains: Hang drapes over crossbars in wardrobe cartons, or
pack folded in clean cartons. Remove curtains from rods, fold and pack in
cartons or bureau drawers.
Flammables and Combustibles: Flammable liquids and aerosol cans must
not be packed. Changes in temperature and pressure can cause them to leak,
or even explode. For your own protection, you should know that if you pack
these items and they cause damage to your shipment or others, you, not your
mover, may be held liable.
Lamps and Lampshades: Remove bulbs, harps and shades. Roll up cord. Pack
lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in clean, tissue-lined
carton. Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape
to inside wall of carton that contains shade. Wrap shades in tissue, not
newspaper. Place upright in large, tissue lined cartons.
Medicines: Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack upright in
small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with you.
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Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures: Tell your agent about valuable paintings
for special care. Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and
place on edge in cartons. Place large pictures and paintings on edge in
heavy cardboard containers. Large wall or dresser mirrors will be taken
down by the movers and placed in special cartons. For added safety, place
tape diagonally across mirror to protect better against damage. Do not place
newspaper directly against paintings.
Personal Computers and Video Recorders: Pack valuable electronic equipment
in original cartons when available. Otherwise, use strong, corrugated cartons
and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket
or protective pad around the item and place it in its carton. Place additional
padding between the carton and the computer or video recorder. Wrap cords
separately; label to identify usage and place in a plastic bag away from
delicate surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Place cords
between the padded computer or video recorder and the carton. Be sure your
personal computer is "parked" and ready for transport.
Silverware: Wrap each piece in cloth or low sulphur content paper
to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or moving pad as a wrap to prevent
scratching the silverware chest.
Tools: Drain fuel from power tools (do not ship Flammables under
any circumstances). Pack tools in small, strong cartons. Wrap separately
if valuable.
Waterbed Mattresses: Drain all water from the waterbed and, grasping
internal baffle systems with external vinyl, fold mattress 20 inches at
a time. Adjust folds to avoid making creases across individual baffles.
Consult your owner's manual for special instructions concerning the care
and transportation of your mattress. Do not place your mattress in a carton
with sharp or pointed objects.
Cars and Motorcycles: Cars and motorcycles shipped on the moving
van should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle batteries should
be disconnected. Automobile antifreeze should be ample to protect against
severe cold in winter.
Barbecue Grills and Propane Tanks: Wrap grates and briquettes separately
in a newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery bag) and place parts
in carton. Pad carton with paper to reduce movement of contents. Propane
tanks must be drained before the move. Consult your local gas grill distributor
for the safest method