Planning a move is a daunting process, and the last thing on your mind should be the safety of your most fragile keepsakes and valuable household goods. That’s why it’s so important to properly pack your belongings for additional peace of mind.
While you can save money by packing everything yourself, hiring a mover to pack some or all of your belongings can save you a lot of time, energy and stress. A professional mover also has the skill to pack your belongings in a way that minimizes the chance of damage.
Cut your stress and anxiety in half by taking extra time to carefully think through what and how to pack. If you decide on do-it-yourself packing, plan ahead at least six weeks to pack and prepare for your move. Mayflower Transit offers the following packing suggestions for a successful move:
- Before you start packing, identify the items you want to throw away, give away or sell. Moving is a good time to de-clutter your home. It’s an opportunity to save time, money and space. Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to make these decisions.
- Don’t just start packing – plan how you will pack.
- Pack items you seldom use first.
- Pack items of similar size and weight together.
- Don’t make any carton too heavy to easily lift.
- Ask your mover or check a credible Web site, such as www.mayflower.com, for a list of “non-allowables” on your moving truck – these include aerosols, batteries, fertilizer, flammable materials/substances, etc. Plan ahead to carefully pack and transport these materials.
- Consider how you will handle perishable items. Empty and unplug your refrigerators and freezers keeping appliance doors open for at least 24 hours in advance of loading.
- Always use proper packing cartons and wrapping materials. Use strong, wide clear or brown professional packing tape. Masking tape is not strong enough to support the weight of a fully packed carton. Tape all cartons closed on the top and bottom – don’t just fold the end flaps closed. Use crumpled, unprinted newspaper to secure and protect items in cartons.
- Clearly label the carton with a description of contents and the room in which they belong.
- When packing fragile items, clearly mark “fragile” on the outside of the box with arrows on the sides to indicate the correct upright position.
- Indicate boxes holding essential items (such as cooking utensils, bedding, linens and toiletries) that need to be opened first by writing “open first” on the boxes. Make sure your “open-first” boxes are the last boxes that are loaded onto the moving van.
- Certain possessions require specific care when packing. The following tips are basic packing techniques used by Mayflower van operators:
- Items of personal importance/sentimental value – This category includes items such as airline tickets, car keys, cell phones, financial documents, photographs and albums, medicines, medical records, etc. All of these items should be secured in a plastic container, clearly labeled and placed in your personal vehicle for easy access.
- China – Wrap each item separately in unprinted newspaper and use a specially partitioned box such as the “dishpack.”
- Stemware – First, wrap the stems for extra protection; then wrap each glass individually and place upside-down in a partitioned box.
- Mirrors and glass-covered photos and artwork – Cross the glass with a series of masking tape “Xs” to help strengthen the glass; then wrap in a generous section of clean paper and place in a flattened packing or telescoping carton.
- Silverware – Nest utensils in groups of three or four, wrap securely and place in a silver chest or a cushioned box.
- Lampshades – Handle shades only by the wire frames; place in large boxes. Shades can be nested in one box, if separated by clean paper.
- Clothes – Fold clothing and place directly in boxes. For faster unpacking, your mover can also provide special wardrobe boxes that allow clothes to stay on their hangers.
- Small appliances, computers, stereo equipment – If possible, pack small appliances, computers, stereo equipment and DVD players in their original boxes. Otherwise, cushion appliances with crumpled packing paper and tape down moving parts such as easy-opening tape decks.
- Glass jars and bottles – Pack with several layers of cloth or paper. Secure stoppers or lids with masking tape to the top of the jar or bottle.
- Statuaries, figurines, curios – Wrap in generous amounts of cushioning and then in a layer of clean paper. Pack in sturdy boxes with additional layers of cushioning in between items. Objects with delicate appendages, such as candelabras or figurines with extended arms, should be wrapped with extra layers of packing material.
- Record albums, tapes, CDs, DVDs – Stack these items on their ends (instead of laying them flat) so they can absorb shock with less chance of damage. Pack tightly, so they’re secure and can’t shift around in the boxes.
- Antiques, delicate furniture – Movers can supply special crates to secure and ship large, fragile items and antiques.
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