Packing Tips | Helpful Packing Ideas | Moving-Day Countdown | Stage of Packaging

SELF PACKING TIPS
Material you will need | Some things to consider | Packing Flatwares
Packing Cups & Glasses | Packing Goblets & Stemware
Packing small Kitchen Appliances | Packing Pots and Pans
More Kitchen Packing Tips | Packing Tall Table Lamps
Packing Pictures | Miscellaneous Packing Tips

Material you will need

Wrapping Paper: You will need plenty of wrapping papers, so save old newspapers. But keep in mind, however, that the ink on some newsprint never thoroughly dries. Consequently, the goods you wrap in newspapers are most likely going to be soiled and will require cleaning after unpacking. Cartons : You will need many cartons in assorted sizes. All boxes should be in good condition and must have covers on them so that they can be closed and sealed. You can purchase cartons from you movers. As all paper products are expensive and specially designed for movers cartons are no exception. With the huge investment in cartons a mover can not afford to give them away. You may also start collecting cartons from your local grocery shop and liquor stores. All too often grocery cartons have the tops removed, but if you program in advance, may get cartons with covers. Liquor cartons are excellent, as they are sturdy and contain covers and dividers, ideal to pack goblets, vases and glasses. Sealing Tape : The best tape for this purpose is plastic tape. Your rolls of tape should be at least 2 inches wide. Marker : This is for marking your packed cartons with such information as the contents of box and "Fragile ", This side up etc.

Some Things to Consider

Start collecting cartons and papers 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 flattens them out. You can open them up again and re-seal the bottoms with the plastic tape as soon as you are ready to use. Pack on a room-by-room basis; i.e. don't pack items from the living room in cartons 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 packed sixty boxes. You could start in areas where the goods are not in frequent use, such as cellar, attic, garage, closet shelves etc. It will probably be necessary to have your mover do some of your packing for you. At the very least, it may be necessary to purchase some specialized cartons such as mattress cartons, wardrobe cartons, and containers for large pictures. Hanging clothes, such as suits, dresses and saris, should be hung in mover's wardrobe cartons. This will save you the trouble and expense of having your garments cleaned and pressed later. Hanging clothing cannot be left in garment bags, as they can not withstand the stress. 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 en route what sizes of the cartons should be used? The rule of thumb here is 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, stuffed toys, large lampshades, shoes etc. would go into largest boxes. Do not pack for moving on a vehicle flammables or explosives. The safety of the shipment is the primary concern. Movers are also not supposed to transport aerosol spray cans, paint thinner, gasoline or anything else of a flammable or explosive nature

Packing flatwares

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 covers 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. Similarly pack another three plates Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down on to you wrapping paper Rewrap the entire bundle in CB sheet or in bubblair 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 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 or 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 lass (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 papers 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. Pick in a medium sized carton. This same procedure can be followed in packing large bowls, too.

More Kitchen 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 the lamp. 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 papers. This will ensure 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 papers. Roll packing paper around your lamp. Truck in the end of the paper at base of lamp. Use sealing tape, if 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. Alternative them, that 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 lining between each shade. Do not pack anything with lamp shades. You can also hang them in a big cupboard or in sideboard. Be sure and mark on all sides of the carton in large, bold letters "FRAGILE" "LAMP SHADES" with your magic marker.

Packing Pictures

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 (usually measuring 24" x 36") should be packed by your mover in one of his specially designated picture or mirror cartons. 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 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 or end. Use small cartons. Aerosol Containers: Do not pack aerosol in flammable containers

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