General Tips:

• Start your packing early. Packing takes time. Pack carefully. You don’t want to be rushed.
• Use lots of protective wrapping materials. This is the least expensive part of the move and can save you the most.
• Do not overload the cartons. Keep the weight of each box no more than 50 pounds. Pack heavy items in small cartons and light bulky items in large cartons.
• Pack on a room-by-room basis. Don’t pack articles from the living room with articles from the kitchen. This will save much confusion later when its time to unpack.
• Pack on a room-by-room basis. Don’t pack articles from the living room with articles from the kitchen. This will save much confusion later when its time to unpack.
• Close all cartons with tape.
• Mark each carton clearly. Note the contents and room destination.

Other materials you will need:

• Packing paper- you will need a lot of packing paper!
• Sealing tape- tape should be 2 inches wide
• Marking Pens- used for marking boxes with information as room location, contents, “Fragile,” or “This Side Up”
• Carton Knife/Scissors- used to cut tape on cartons at destination

Step-By-Step Packing Procedure for all cartons

1. Prepare your work area. Select a conveniently located, sturdy table on which to wrap.
2. Open the carton (cartons are supplied flat, and open at both ends).
3. Turn the carton over, fold down the bottom flaps and tape them in place. Tape straight along the seam, using 2-3 passes of 2 in tape. Extend the tape a few inches on either side of the flap.
4. Turn the carton right side up, fold top flaps back and tape them out of the way.
5. Line the bottom with crumpled newspaper or packing paper.
6. Begin with heavier items. (The basic rule is heavier items on the bottom, lighter ones on top).
7. Wrap each item separately to protect against scratches.
8. Pack for good density, as tight as possible to keep items from shifting around.
9. Near the top of the carton, fill in spaces with smaller items, then add crumpled paper on top to keep articles from shifting. Boxes will be stacked, when pressing down on the top of a box there should not be any give.
10. Close the top flaps and tape them shut as in step 3.
11. Mark the outside of the carton as to its contents and the room they came from.

Dishes & Fragile Items

• Use a dish pack for glassware, dishes, and similar breakables. First put down a layer of crumpled paper to form a cushion on the bottom of the box. Begin the first layer (called a tier) with heavier items, such as large bowls, on the bottom, working up to lighter items, such as dishes, on the top, being careful to pack tight for good density.
• Wrap each item separately; when wrapping items such as cups, teapots, etc., handles and spouts should also be wrapped separately and placed parallel to the side of the carton to prevent breakage.
• After wrapping, vases and glasses should be placed in the carton with the top edge down.
• Place a flat separator on top of each tier as it is completed, to isolate each tier from the next, cell dividers may be used to isolate small breakables such as dishes or glassware. Dishes must always be placed in the carton on their edges.
• Glasses may be packed using paper alone, without cell dividers. If this is done, items must fit together as snugly as possible, using crumpled paper to tighten up each layer before beginning the next.
• When the top tier is completed, add a separator on top before taping the box shut. Close the top flaps and tape them shut. Mark the outside of the carton as to its contents and the room they came from.

Pots & Pans

• Always form a layer of crumpled paper in the bottom of the carton for cushioning. Pack the heaviest pieces, such as skillets, wrapping each with packing paper. Nest and wrap a smaller skillet inside the larger one. Place the completed skillet pack on the bottom of the carton.
• Wrap the pens in packing paper starting with the largest one. Nest the rest of the wrapped pans into the bigger pan and place in the carton until full.
• Fill in unused areas with crumpled paper to make the carton and its contents tight. Seal carton and mark carton’s content and location for the new home.

Other Kitchen Items

• Start with the heaviest objects on the bottom of the carton. Place items on top of a cushion of paper, to form a solid base. Wrap the smaller items in packing paper and nestle them inside the larger items. Next, wrap saucepans individually in newspaper, beginning with the biggest, Nest smaller pans inside, making sure there is enough paper between the plans to avoid scratches and rattling during the move.
• Wrap muffin tins in packing paper and place them upright in the carton, using every bit of space. (Remember, pack for density. Objects should never have room to move about inside the carton.) Empty spaces that cannot be filled snugly with crumpled paper to make a tight fit.
• Wrap cake pans in the same manner as saucepans. Wrap the inset portion of the pan in paper, then nest it in the bottom of the pan. Wrap both pieces together and place them snugly in the carton.
• Place cookie sheets directly one on top of another and wrap as a complete package before placing in the carton. Deep fryers, blenders, or other electrical units must be taken apart and wrapped carefully. The appliances are sensitive and must be handled with care. Place the cord and any other loose parts inside the appliance, then wrap everything. Place crumpled paper around the unit to fill in empty spaces in the carton.

Hanging Clothes

• Wardrobe cartons are brought to your house on the day of the move at no extra charge or can be purchased at our office. Set up and tape bottom of wardrobe. Place metal hanging rail across inside, firmly pressing down on ends. Hang clothing on metal rail the same as if they were hanging in the closest. Do not overload the wardrobe carton. Use the bottom of the wardrobe for shoes, hatboxes, umbrellas, and other light bulky items. Close the top of the wardrobe like a regular carton, securing the hangers on the bar, and tape shut. Mark contents and room location on outside of wardrobe carton.

Small Picture Packing

• Wrap each picture with several layers of packing paper as if you were wrapping a present. Place upright on edge in the appropriate size carton, filling the carton so everything fits snugly.

Books

• Expensive books and other volumes that need special care and attention should be individually wrapped in packing paper and placed on edge in a special book carton. Bindings of the books should be set on end as they are placed in the carton. Paperbacks and magazines can be placed on top of books to fill out the carton. Crumpled packing paper should be used to fill corners until the box is snugly packed.

Bedding

• Assemble a large (6-cubic-foot) carton, line with tissue, and place bedding (neatly folded) inside. Fill container to top but do not over fill. Do not add heavy items to carton. Label carton with contents and location.

Packing Bathroom Items

• Before packing bathroom items make sure to keep out what things you will need the first day, Tape all bottle shut to prevent spills. Pack a small carton, using crumpled paper to cushion items and fill in open spaces. Use newspaper to individually wrap breakable containers. Label carton with contents and location.

Electronics

• When packing a stereo system and docking stations, place crumpled paper in the bottom for cushioning. Tape down all moving parts. Place items on top of cushioned paper. Crumple paper around sides at top of system to hold firmly in place. Close carton, tape and mark “stereo system”, “docking station,” or “Fragile.” Label cords to reassembly simple at your new home. Check with your cable provider to see if receiver needs to be returned.

Miscellaneous

• All bottles and containers must be taped shut. Do not mix dry or non-perishable foods with anything that could contaminate or spoil items. Keep food separate! If any article is dissembled, put all loose pieces in parts bag and attach to main piece being packed. Do not pack paint, lighter fluid, aerosols, bleach, or harsh chemicals into cartons.

Appliance Servicing

• Major appliances must be serviced in order to protect moving parts during transit.
• Washer: Disconnect water hoses, coil hoses, and place inside the tub. Front load washers should have the drum secured.
• Dryer: Empty contents; disconnect vent, gas and electric. Coil hoses and place inside.
• Refrigerator: Empty contents, disconnect electric, remove water line to ice maker, empty condensation pan at bottom of unit, and remove kick plate.
• Freezer: Empty contents, disconnect, and defrost.

Grandfather Clocks

• Set the clock to silent setting to keep from harming the delicate brass chimes and rods. Gently secure the chime bars, using tissue paper to separate them from one another. (Do not bunch the bars together since they are very fragile and the most easily damaged part of the clock). Before final packing, tape the key securely to the glass to keep it from being lost.

Computers

• Make backup copies of your hard drive. Disconnect all cables and pack into a carton. Use the original packing box if available. In the event your original box is not available, pack the computer in a large enough carton and use crumpled paper to cushion.
• Printers and monitors should be packed into separate cartons with ample paper. Remove the ink cartridge in laser printers as the ink may spill and contaminate the laser engine.

Packing Garden Tools and Garage Items

• If items are small enough, pack in cartons; avoid mixing with inside household items. Barbecue utensils should be wrapped individually to avoid getting grease on other items. Rakes, shovels, and other tools can be bundled together and placed in a garbage bag.

Completing the pack job

• There are several tasks that need to be completed to finish up a pack job. Check all closets, drawers, cabinets, and storage areas to be sure everything is packed and ready for shipment. Create a pleasant working environment for yourself. After completing the packing of one room, use that room for the next room’s boxes. This will keep the work area free of the clutter of numerous boxes.

Number of Rooms	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Dish Packs	1	2	3	4	5	5	6	7	8	8
Small Cartons	4	7	10	17	16	19	23	25	28	32
Medium Cartons	6	11	16	22	25	30	33	37	41	45
Large Cartons	1	2	4	5	6	7	9	9	10	10
Wardrobes	1	2	3	4	5	6	6	7	8	8
Tape	1	2	3	4	5	5	6	7	8	8