Packing tips

Packing Tips to Maximize the Protection of Your Belongings

Packing your household goods can be quite costly. You might even have lots of packaging material from a previous move or know people that can give you materials that you need. In this case, packing on your own may be a good option, and Proud American Moving has put together some tips, so that you can achieve professional results and ensure the safety of your products.

Packing tips can be extremely useful, especially if you have the motivation to start, but am unsure where to begin. By having a plan and packing your items in an organized manner, you will be avoiding damage and further issues down the line.

Tips For Packing: Preparation

First, we recommend you gather necessary supplies, including:

• Tissue paper
• Packing paper (such as plain newsprint)
• 2" packing tape
• Masking tape
• A utility knife
• Scissors
• Permanent markers
• Professional quality boxes

Tips for Packing: The Right Stuff

Proud American Moving has a wide range of boxes and high quality professional packing materials available for purchase to help you organize and ensure the safety of your belongings, including:

• Dish packs: Heavy duty cartons used for dishes/china, crystal and glassware
• Double-wall cartons: Extra-protective cartons made especially for fine china, crystal, and other high-value, hard to replace items
• 1.5 cu. ft. cartons: Small cartons for heavy items such as books, files, music CDs and DVDs/video tapes
• 3.0 cu. ft. cartons: Medium-utility cartons often used for pots and pans, toys, and small appliances
• 4.5 cu. ft. cartons: For bulky items, such as linens, towels or toys
• 6.0 cu. ft. cartons: For large, bulky, or lightweight articles, such as pillows or large lampshades
• Wardrobe cartons: A "portable closet" that keeps clothes or draperies hanging on a built-in bar
• Mirror cartons: Several sizes of telescoping cartons for framed pictures, mirrors or glass
• Mattress cartons: Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes. A separate carton is necessary for box springs
• Stretch wrap: A special plastic covering that safely adheres to furniture and protects it from snags, tears, and dirt

Check with your Proud American Moving relocation agent regarding materials available for purchase and whether we can drop it off prior to your move date.

Use newspaper only for cushioning-never place newspaper against items as the ink could rub off onto your items. For example, it can get embedded in fine china, so be wary!

Tips For Packing: Basic Training

If you decide to do the packing yourself, you will need to have everything properly packed and ready for loading when the moving truck arrives. All packing should be completed the evening before moving day at least so be sure that you start packing with plenty of time to change things around if you need to. Leave essential items out, like personal toiletries that you may need on the day or night before, and make sure that all clothes are fully packing. Even little items that are lying around that you may think you can take care of later, make sure you invest the attention into these items as well and pack them all safely and securely.

Some basic packing tips to keep in mind:

• Follow a timetable - people often underestimate how long it takes to pack!
• Start with items you won't need right away, such as belongings stored in the basement, garage or attic
• Packing room-by-room will help you stay organized
• Establish work areas in each room
• As you complete a room, sort packed boxes by weight (light, medium, heavy) to make loading the moving van easier and quicker
• Limit cartons to a maximum weight of 50 pounds
• For best results, have your mover pack:
  • Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or larger
  • Pool tables and pianos
  • Bulky, fragile items like large trophies, statues, chandeliers, etc.
  • Major appliances

Tips For Packing: Techniques

Our Proud American Moving professionals will check your packed boxes to ensure safe transportation. If it is their opinion that items are improperly packed or cartons are susceptible to damage, they may ask you to re-pack these items, please remember that our intention is to avoid damage to your valued goods.

For a room-by-room description of packing techniques, click here for our Packing Guide.

• Provide plenty of cushioning by packing loosely crumpled, plain newsprint in the bottom of boxes - leave room at the top for more crumpled paper
• Wrap all fragile, breakable items in paper before packing them in boxes
• Pack large and heavy items first, smaller items next, filling in all empty spaces with plain newsprint
• Use only sturdy cartons that can be easily closed (don't over stuff), then tape top seams securely - do not use plastic containers to pack your belongings
• Label boxes clearly: Your name, room where the box should go in your new home and a brief description of the contents

Tips For Packing: Electronics Care

When packing a large screen TV and other electronics:

• If you no longer have the original carton and packing materials, carefully pack the item in a sturdy carton that has been lined with newsprint or Styrofoam peanuts
• Securely seal the carton and mark the outside "Extremely Fragile"

When packing your personal computer, printer, scanner, or other equipment:

• Disconnect and mark all wires and cables for easy assembly
• Detach paper holders/feeders from printers, and wrap monitors and additional hardware as you would other home electronics
  • Remove toner and ink cartridges
  • Back-up all of your computer files on DVDs or other file storage disks/devices
  • Consult your PC user manual for additional instructions and precautions

Tips For Packing: What NOT To Pack

There will be certain items that it is best to transport in your car while you are driving to your new destination. This is so for various reasons, some legal and some to simply ensure that your items are safe. It is vital that you read over the following tips as they can affect the outcome of the move immensely. Some items are lethal, and poisonous, others like plants, might not get the oxygen that they require while on the truck which is why we always recommend to either sell them, and purchase new ones in your final destination, or transport them in your car to ensure their safety..

Common examples of toxic items include:

• Nail polish remover
• Paints and paint thinners
• Lighter fluid
• Gasoline
• Fireworks
• Oxygen bottles
• Propane cylinders
• Automotive repair and maintenance chemicals
• Radio-pharmaceuticals
• Matches

Other items not recommended for transport on the van include:

• Firearms
• Family photos
• Food in glass jars and perishable foods
• Prescription drugs needed for immediate use

Tips For Packing: Labeling Hints

Each and every carton must be labeled:

• Use a broad, felt-tipped marker.
• Clearly mark room and contents.
• Indicate "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS END UP" where appropriate.
• If available, include your bill of lading number on every box.
• As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the carton (for easy viewing while 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 the final destination. Tape a sign on the door of each room at that destination corresponding to the carton labels so movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly.
• Put a special mark (a number or alphabet letter) on your cartons in order to indicate which you would want to unpack first at the final destination.

Tips For Packing: Tips From the Pros

• Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used infrequently. Leave those things you use frequently until the last minute.
• Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
• Pack similar items together. For example, do not pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast-iron frying pans.
• 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, fastening 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 paper draws attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
• Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
• Build up the layers, with the 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 of cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.
• Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left 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 that must be left open for the van operator's inspection.