Diamond Movers - Packing
Tips
Here are some helpful
packing tips:
MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED
WRAPPING
PAPER: You are going to need plenty of wrapping paper. Many people
save and use their old newspapers. Keep in mind, however, that the ink on
newsprint never thoroughly dries. Consequently, the goods you wrap in
newspapers are most likely to be soiled and will require cleaning after
unpacking. For items you prefer to keep clean, it would be best to
purchase some packing paper from your mover.
CARTONS:
You'll need many boxes in assorted sizes. All boxes
should be in good condition, and must have covers on them in order that
they can be closed and sealed.
You can
purchase cartons from your mover if you wish. It must be pointed out,
however, that all paper products are expensive these days, and
specially-designed movers' cartons are no exception. With the huge
investment movers have in cartons, they cannot afford to give them
away.
You might
start collecting cartons from your local grocery and liquor stores. All
too often grocery store cartons have the tops removed, but if you have a
talk with the store manager he would probably be willing to save you some
cartons with the covers still intact. Liquor cartons are excellent packing
cartons. They are sturdy, and contain dividers which make them ideal for
packing glasses, goblets, vases, etc.
SEALING
TAPE: The best tape for this purpose is plastic tape. Your rolls of
tape should be at least 1.5" to 2 inches.
MARKER
PEN: This is for marking your packed boxes with such information as
the contents of the box, "FRAGILE" "THIS SIDE UP" etc.
SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. Start
collecting boxes 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
flatten them out. You can open them up again and re-seal the bottoms with
your plastic tape as you are ready to use them.
2. Pack on a
room-by-room basis. That is, don't pack articles from the living room in
boxes with articles from the kitchen. This will save much confusion later
when it's time to unpack.
3. If
possible, start packing early. Remember, if you were to pack only a couple
of boxes a day, in thirty days you would have sixty boxes packed. You
could start in areas where the goods are not in frequent use such as the
cellar, attic, garage, closet shelves, etc.
4. 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 of his specialized
cartons that will be impossible for you to find elsewhere. This category
would include such cartons as mattress cartons, wardrobe cartons,
containers for large pictures and mirrors, and possibly some large cartons
for tall table lamps.
5. Hanging
clothing such as suits, dresses and coats should be hung in movers'
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. Garment bags were not designed to be used as movers'
wardrobes, and they will not withstand the stress. Clothing to be hung is
usually taken out of the garment bags, hung in the wardrobes, and the
garment bags folded and placed in the bottom of the wardrobe.
6. 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
enroute.
7. What size
boxes should you use? The rule-of-thumb here is the 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, toys, large lamp shades,
shoes, etc., would go in the largest boxes.
8. Do not
pack for moving on a van any flammables, combustibles, or explosives. The
safety of the shipment is the primary concern. Movers are not supposed to
transport aerosol spray cans, paint thinner, gasoline or anything else of
a flammable or explosive nature.
PACKING IN THE KITCHEN
Packing is
much more convenient, and less tiring when you have a good work area. It
is suggested that you clear the kitchen table and do your packing on the
table.
Keep in mind
that when you are packing fragile articles you should plan to pack the
heaviest objects toward the bottom of the carton; more delicate articles
should be packed closer to the top of the carton.
The first
thing to do is to lay out flat on the table a sizable stack of packing
paper.
Select a
sturdy, medium-sized carton. Line the bottom of the carton with several
layers of packing paper for additional cushioning.
PACKING
FLATWARE
1. Place one
plate in approximately the center of your packing paper.
2. Grasp
about two sheets of paper at one corner. Pull over plate so as to
completely cover plate. Stack second plate on first plate.
3. Grasp
second corner of your paper. Pull over and cover stacked
plates.
4. Stack
third plate. Take remaining two corners (one at a time) and fold each over
your stack of plates.
5. Turn your
wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
6. Re-wrap
entire bundle. Follow same wrapping procedure as before. 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.
7 Seal the
bundle with plastic tape.
8. Place the
bundle of flatware in a 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, bread 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 of paper. Use at least a couple of small sheets
between each glass or cup as protective lining.
1. Take first
glass and line with a couple of sheets of your cut-up paper.
2. Place
second glass (or a cup) inside the first one. Line with two more sheets of
paper. Insert another glass (or cup).
3. 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.
4. Grasp
corner closest to you of two sheets of wrapping paper. Wrap around your
glasses (or cups).
5. Grasp next
corner of wrapping paper and wrap around your glasses.
6. 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).
7. 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 paper 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 wherever 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,
coffeemaker, 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 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.
Pack 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
dishpak cartons from your mover in which to pack tall lamps. Dishpak
cartons are tall, extra sturdy cartons originally intended for packing
fragile articles, such as dishes.
1. Remove
lamp shade and bulb. Wrap cord around base of lamp.
2. Line the
bottom of your carton with a considerable amount of wadded-up packing
paper. This will insure extra cushioning and protection for the
lamp.
3. 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
paper.
4. Roll
packing paper around your lamp. Tuck in the end of the paper at base of
lamp. Use sealing tape, if necessary, to prevent end from coming
apart.
5. Seal the
seams where packing paper overlaps around your bundle with your
tape.
6. 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. Alternate them. This 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 linings
between each shade.
Do NOT
pack anything with lamp shades.
Be sure and
mark on all sides of the carton in large, bold letters "FRAGILE", "LAMP
SHADES" with your marker pen.
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 designed 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.
1. Select a
carton that is larger than your picture when open at both ends.
2. Open the
bottom of the carton, and then flatten the carton. Seal one of the open
sides with your tape.
3. 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.
4. Wrap the
picture in much 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.
5. Slide
picture into unsealed side of your carton and seal this end with your
tape.
MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS
HAT AND
SHOE BOXES: Small boxes of this type should be consolidated and packed into
large boxes. Fill in small spaces with wadded-up 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 on end. Use small cartons.
AEROSOL
CONTAINERS: Do not pack aerosol or flammable
containers.
