All Over Moving

Packing Moving Boxes

When packing moving boxes, it helps to be aware of a few tips that will make your packing chores easier and protect you belongings. Compiled through many years of moving experience, the following tips for packing your moving boxes are bound to come in handy.
Doing Your Own Packing
Many people who are moving want to save money wherever they can. Doing your own packing can save you money if done properly. However, keep in mind that the moving valuation protection offered by moving companies doesn't cover damage to items PBO (Packed By Owner) unless there is obvious damage to the container caused by the mover's negligence.
Movers can refuse to transport boxes you packed yourself if:

The box is not durable
The boxs contents are packaged inappropriately (fragile items not protected). If you have especially fragile or valuable items to pack, you may want your mover to handle the task - doing so will likely be worth the added cost.
If the box contains hazardous items. Hazardous items include firearms, fuel and paint.

If the moving company repacks a box, you may incur additional costs.
Packing Moving Boxes
It's very important that you use quality, sturdy moving boxes. Very thin, low quality boxes can break very easily. A formula to remember is, low-quality thin boxes + inexperienced packer = breakage and damage to goods.
Here are some tips for moving boxes you end up packing yourself:

Have all supplies, such as quality packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper and markers, lined up next to your boxes when packing.
Avoid printed newspaper for wrapping items. Use blank paper instead. The ink from the printed newspaper rubs off easily and can be very difficult to remove from certain items, such as china. Crumpled printed newspapers can be used for filling voids in boxes, as long as the print doesn't come in direct contact with anything you don't want to have to clean later.
Purchase strong tape. Use the plastic and strapping tape that movers use. A good quality packing tape dispenser makes the job of taping up your moving boxes much simpler and faster.
When setting up your moving boxes, reinforce the bottom of all boxes with 2" packing tape. Start by taping the seam where the two flaps meet, leaving 4" of overlap on each side. Add two more strips in the same direction, on each side of your first strip, approximately half way between your first strip and the edge of the box. For additional reinforcement, add two perpendicular strips equidistant from each other and the edge of the box.
Make sure tops and sides of boxes do not bulge or sag. Under-packed boxes may collapse and over-packed boxes may rupture.
Bubble wrap your fragile items. Small bubble is recommended for smaller, lighter weight items. Large bubble (more air in bubbles) is recommended for larger, heavier weight items. For added protection, line your box with bubble before packing.
Pack one room at a time, marking each moving box you pack with a description of its contents and destination room(i.e. kitchen, master bath). Mark each box with the name of the room in which it will be placed and write the box's important contents on the outside.
Designate a room or space to store packed boxes. Keep all boxes for the same room together. If possible, keep all packed boxes close to the door. This packing tip will save time both in loading and unloading the boxes.
Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes. Wrap heaviest items first with bubble wrap or packing paper and place in the bottom of the box. Wrap lighter items with same and place on top of heavier items, separated by bubble wrap.
Separate your packing boxes by size, and place appropriately-sized boxes in each room. Quality moving boxes indicate the ideal product or weight for which that box is best suited. Follow the box manufacturer's recommendations.
Double box fragile items and fill voids between boxes with packing paper or bubble cushioning to avoid shifting. Mirror packing boxes are not only good for packing mirrors - they can be assembled to a custom size for protecting your large framed art or photographs.
Consider using your computer to create labels for your boxes. Avery Office Products provides a variety of labels you can use, including blank labels and pre-printed specialty labels, such as Fragile. Free templates are available that will make setting up the labels for printing a snap. Be sure to use a large enough font in bold (consider all capital letters, too) so the labels can be read easily from a distance. You can make up a set of labels just for your last name and then a separate set of labels for each room name. This saves you from having to hand mark each box and typed labels are much easier to read than most handwriting or printing. This tip is especially handy if you move frequently, because your labels will already be set up for your next move.
Write "Open First" on boxes containing things that you need immediately, like bedding or a few dishes you can use until the rest of your dishes are unpacked.
If you plan to inventory items within the boxes you pack, number your boxes so your master inventory can list each box number with its corresponding contents.
Pack your clothes hanging in your closet in wardrobe boxes. This not only saves time, but also prevents clothes from wrinkling. Place shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe box.
Pack T-Shirts and jeans in suitcases and regular boxes. Ask your movers which clothes may stay in your dresser drawers.
Don't let your boxes get too heavy or the movers won't to be able to lift them. Heavier boxes are more likely to break in transit, causing damage to your items. If you have a few especially heavy boxes, mark them so your movers will know before they attempt to lift the box.
Wrap breakable items individually. For example, for ceramic jars with lids, wrap the jar and the lid separately and place in the same box. Fill in empty spaces within the box to prevent movement during transit.
Pack plates and glass objects upright. Mover's dish pack boxes are ideal for these items.
Take boxes with you (if you possibly can) that contain items you'll want to have right away, like cleaning supplies, hammer, screwdriver, flashlight, toilet paper, soap, a shower curtain, coffee, coffee filters and your coffee pot. That way you'll have access to these items even before the movers arrive.

Whether you need tips for packing moving boxes, storage information or moving tips, you'll find everything you need from All Over Moving for a successful move. You can even obtain multiple free moving estimates to help you estimate your total moving costs.

Appliances

You'll need: Blank newsprint or your own towels and linens Medium-sized boxes TIP: Don't use plastic peanuts or shredded newsprint, which could get into the machines and cause damage. Group kitchen appliances, like blenders and toasters, or other small household appliances, like hand-held vacuums and telephones, two or three to a box. (Make sure they're clean - don't pack yesterday's toast or blender drinks!)

Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped, then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint (wadded up, not shredded) or your towels and sheets. Put the appliances in and pad them well all around with packing material. Then put another layer of packing materials on top, seal the box, and mark it "Kitchen Appliances." Now you're good to go!

> Washing Machine

Do all your wash a couple of days before you're ready to move. Drain all the water out of the washer. If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways to empty out remaining water from the water hose. Then dry the interior completely with a towel. Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in a plastic bag.

Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the tub to keep the tub from rotating. Fill the basket with clothes, linens, and stuffed animals (that's rights, stuffed animals). Also include a box of baking soda (designed so you don't have to tear open the top of the box) to cut down on mildew. 6. Tape the lid and electrical cord down, then tie a large pad around the outside. Now you're done!

> Dryer

Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely roll the hose and place it in the dryer basket. Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door down. Tie a large pad around the outside of the dryer. You're done!

> Refrigerator

One day before moving, empty out the contents and defrost. (Eat what you can, then give the rest away to neighbors - never transport perishable food.)

Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and drain out your automatic ice maker.

Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves.

Some refrigerators have "leveling rollers," which are wheels that raise and lower each corner of the refrigerator so it is even. Check your manual to see whether you should raise or lower them for the move.

Wrap shelves (especially if they are glass) and tape them together. Tape down all other loose parts, including the drawers on the inside and the electrical cord and doors on the outside.

Tie a large pad around it.

> Stove

Clean the oven and stove top.

Place all oven racks on the bottom rung and tape down.

Tape down the burners and the protective pans under each burner.

Tape the electrical cord and door to the stove (lock the door, if you can), then tie a large pad around it. You're done!

> Dishwasher

Remove all dishes and tape down the racks and silverware basket.

See your manual for removing and draining the water hook-up.

Close and lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape the hose and cord to the dishwasher.

Tie a large pad around it. That's all!

Air Conditioner

If your air conditioner is in use, shut if off the day before so the coils can dry and cool off.

Remove and clean or replace the filter.

Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not the back, where the coils are).

Use the original box, if you have it, or another large appliance box well-padded with wadded up newsprint. (Don't use Styrofoam peanuts, which could get inside the air conditioner and cause problems later.)

If you don't have a box, tie two large pads around it to protect the coils.

Armoires

Armoires can be great packing spaces for lightweight items like pillows, lamp shades, even hanging clothes, if you use a tight tension rod inside. If you're going to pack a lamp shade, be sure to pad it all around with lots of lightly wadded up blank newsprint or bubble wrap.

What you need:

Rope
Large padding or old blankets

Remove all the contents from the shelves. Don't try to ship your CDs, TV, cards and games, or other loose items inside the armoire - they'll be jostled and probably damaged.

If you have drawers, you can keep some items inside if they're not too heavy. Wad up blank newsprint in the empty spaces and tape the drawers shut.

If you like, fill in empty spaces with lightweight items, like pillows and lamp shades (properly padded with lightly wadded up blank newsprint or bubble wrap.) Several lamp shades can be stacked together with blank newsprint in between.

Close and lock your doors, if possible, or tie the handles together.

Tie large padding or old blankets around the outside. All done!

Artwork

You'll need:

Tape
Blank newsprint and cardboard or bubble wrap
Styrofoam peanuts for sculptures
Boxes (flat and/or sized to fit) for each piece of artwork
Framed prints . . .

Wrap them individually in newsprint and then tape cardboard around them. Or wrap them in bubble wrap.

Put them in flat fitted boxes. If they still fit loosely in their individual boxes, fill in the spaces with lightly wadded blank newsprint.

Tape the box shut and mark it. You're done!

> Mirrors

Put tape across the front of the mirror like an X to keep the pieces in place in case the glass breaks.

Wrap in bubble wrap or blank newsprint with cardboard taped around them. Fill loose spaces with lightly wadded paper

Put in a flat box, seal, and mark "Fragile - Mirror." That's all!

> Paintings

If your painting is framed with glass, tape the front like an X with masking tape.

Cover the framed painting or canvas with bubble wrap and tape it closed.

Build a box to fit that is slightly bigger than the painting, or purchase one. If you're packing a canvas (no frame, no glass), wrap the cardboard box in bubble wrap again, tape it, then build or buy a second box slightly bigger than the first. Double-boxing is a guarantee against other sharp objects puncturing the box and canvas during the move.

Tape the box well and mark "Fragile - Art." All done now!

> Sculptures

You'll need a box at least one-third larger than the size of your sculpture and bubble wrap.

Fill one-third of the box with Styrofoam peanuts. Wrap the sculpture with bubble wrap, put it in upright, then fill in all around and on top with peanuts. Your piece of art should be nestled in the center without touching the sides of the box.

Tape the box and mark "Fragile - Artwork" clearly on the outside.

Beds

You'll need:

Rope or tape
Large pads for headboards and footboards
Sheets or mattress covers
Plastic bag

Disassemble the bed frames and mark the pieces so you know where they go later. Tie or tape rails together.

Take all screws, bolts, nuts, etc. put in plastic bag and tape to rails.

Tie large pads around headboard and footboards, if you have them.

Leave sheets on mattresses to protect them, or cover them with plastic mattress covers. You're done!

Books

You'll need:

Rope or tape
Large pads for headboards and footboards
Sheets or mattress covers
Plastic bag

Disassemble the bed frames and mark the pieces so you know where they go later. Tie or tape rails together.

Take all screws, bolts, nuts, etc. put in plastic bag and tape to rails.

Tie large pads around headboard and footboards, if you have them.

Leave sheets on mattresses to protect them, or cover them with plastic mattress covers. You're done!

Bureaus

You'll need:

Rope
Large pads

TIP: Don't leave bureau drawers completely full for the move - the bureau will be too heavy. Use suitcases to pack some clothing and other non-fragile items from your bureau drawers.

Partially empty out drawers and fill spaces with small, fragile items like clocks or picture frames wrapped in loose clothing. Don't put tape on the drawers - it could stick to the finish.

Tie a large pad securely around the bureau.

Chairs

You'll need:

Bubble wrap or blank newsprint
Tape
Furniture pads

Wrap arms of chairs with blank newsprint or bubble wrap and tape.

Leave slipcovers on or cover with large flat sheets.

Cover next with furniture pads. Now you're done!.

Clothes

You'll need:

Wardrobe boxes
Suitcases
Small and medium boxes

Hang clothes from closets in wardrobe boxes. If the boxes still have some space, consider filling them with lightweight items like lamp shades covered in bubble wrap.

Pack some clothes from bureaus in boxes or suitcases so the bureaus won't be too heavy to move.

Consider using some clothes as packing material in between breakable items or to fill spaces in other boxes that contain items from bedrooms.

Mark boxes "Clothing" or with the person's name. You're all done!.
Computers
Two sets of boxes, one larger than the other (for double-boxing components)
Styrofoam peanuts.

Back up all the files on your computer.

Your computer company may recommend that you "park" your hard drive. That means using a special program (possibly called "SHIP.EXE") that makes recording heads in the hard drive pull back from the data area into a "safer" area of the CPU. Pack your disks in a separate box, but not with anything magnetic.

Bundle cables and wires and color code them to their matching holes so it's easy to reconnect in your new home.

If your computer is completely cooled off, put each component part in a plastic bag to keep dirt out during the move, then inside the foam forms in their original boxes. Fit cables and other accessories in the sides of each box and fill with peanuts. If you don't have the original boxes, use the double-box method. Fill the smaller of the two boxes with Styrofoam peanuts, put the "bagged" monitor or CPU in the middle, and fill the box the rest of the way so the component sits in the middle of the box without touching the sides. Fit in cables and accessories, close and seal that box, then fill the bottom of the second box with peanuts, put the sealed box in, and fill all around the rest of the way with peanuts.

If you have a small printer, you can pack it with your CPU. Be sure to remove the printer cartridges. If your printer uses pins to form-feed paper, leave the paper in during the move to keep the pins in place.

Mark each box "Fragile - Computer." Now you're finished!.

CDs

You'll need:

Tape
Plastic peanuts or blank newsprint
Small boxes

Pad the bottom of the box with wadded-up blank newsprint or Styrofoam peanuts.

Place a stack of CDs in the middle of the box. If your box is big enough and you don't have a lot of CDs, put your entire CD holder in the center, CDs and all. CDs can weigh a lot, so you'll probably have to divide them into several boxes.

Fill in tightly all around and on top with peanuts or wadded paper so the CDs won't jiggle.

Tape and mark "CDs." You're all done!

Collectibles

You'll need:

Tape

Small and medium boxes
Bubble wrap
Styrofoam peanuts or blank newsprint

Wrap each fragile item separately with bubble wrap and tape.

Put a layer of peanuts or wadded paper on the bottom and layer in wrapped items with peanuts or wadded paper in between.

Put a final layer of peanuts or wadded paper on top

Seal and mark "Fragile - Collectibles." Now you're done!

** If your collectibles are really valuable, consider moving them in your car or shipping them separately

Flammable Items

You'll need:

To call your local recycling pick-up provider, fire station, or the nearest Environmental Protection Agency office to learn how to properly dispose of flammable and hazardous materials before you move, such as paints, solvents, oil, and gas from your grill.

DON'T!!!!!

It's dangerous and illegal to pack and move flammable and hazardous materials. If you have a small can of turpentine or leftover paint, ask your neighbors if they can use it. Otherwise, dispose of it properly with assistance from your recycling company or the EPA.

TIP: Many towns have an annual "Hazardous Materials Disposal Drop-Off Day" at a recycling center or fire station. If you know you're moving, plan ahead to dispose of materials then.

Kitchen Items > China and Crystal

You'll need:

Tape
Small and medium boxes
Cardboard
Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap
Blank newsprint
Lots of patience

Plates and bowls . . .

Layer bubble wrap in between, leaving space at the top of the box to fill in with wadded newsprint. Place wadded newsprint or peanuts in the bottom of a box and put layers of plates or bowls on top. Then fill in top and sides with peanuts or newsprint. Seal and mark "Fragile - China." You're done!

Glasses and teacups . . .

Wrap each glass or teacup in a piece of bubble wrap and tape it. Put a layer of peanuts or newsprint on the bottom of the box. Place wrapped cups or glasses on top, upright as if you were placing them on the table. Place a layer of cardboard and another layer of packing material on top and the sides. Keep layering in wrapped cups and peanuts until you've reached the top. Put a final layer of packing material on top, seal, and mark "Fragile - Crystal/China." That's all!

TIP: Don't use compartmentalized liquor boxes unless the compartments are made of sturdy cardboard and you put a layer of packing material on the bottom first. (Usually the compartments are too flimsy.) Glasses and cups should still be wrapped in bubble wrap.

Kitchen Items Non-Breakable

You'll need:

Tape
Medium and large boxes
Your kitchen towels and linens
Blank newsprint

Select a few pieces of essential cookware - a couple of pots, a frying pan, some cooking spoons, a spatula, and utensils for everyone - for the first day you're in your new home.

Put blank newsprint (or ripped-open paper bags) between the items. Fill in spaces with wadded newsprint.

Seal and mark "Kitchen." On the box you need for cooking when you arrive, mark "Kitchen - First Day." You're all done!

Kitchen Items Breakable

You'll need:

Tape
Small and medium boxes
Bubble wrap
Peanuts or blank newsprint

Wrap each glass and mug in bubble wrap and tape shut. Put layers of bubble wrap in between plates and bowls.

Fill bottom of box with peanuts or wadded paper. Layer in glasses and mugs with peanuts and paper, or place stacks of layered plates and bowls on top. If your glasses have stems, place them upright, as if you were putting them on the table. Fill in sides and top with peanuts and wadded paper.

For larger breakable items - Pyrex dishes, china serving bowls, glass coffee pots - wrap in bubble wrap and tape shut. Put two or three smaller items or one larger item in the center of a small box filled with peanuts. Make sure you put a layer of peanuts or wadded paper between smaller items.

Seal and mark "Fragile - Kitchen." You're all finished!

Lamps

You'll need:

Tape
Medium or large boxes
Bubble wrap
Take lightbulbs, harps, and lamp shades off lamp.

Wrap lamp shades in bubble wrap and stack them in a large box with wadded paper, or put them in an armoire or large chest.

Wrap cord around lamp and wrap lamp in bubble wrap. Place in empty, defrosted refrigerator, unplugged dryer, or drained, unplugged washer. Or put them in boxes with wadded paper, seal, and mark "Lamps."

Lawn Furniture

You'll need:

Tape
Large, flat boxes for any glass tabletops
Blank newsprint and bubble wrap for glass tabletops

Packing is easy if you have furniture with no breakable parts. Hose down/clean off your furniture.

Disassemble any parts. Tape them together, or put small pieces in ziplock bags and tape to the furniture. You're good to go! If you have glass tabletops, wrap them in bubble wrap and put them in flat boxes used for mirrors and artwork. Seal and mark boxes "Fragile - Glass." Now you're done!

Lawnmowers and Lawn Tools

You'll need:

Tape
Storage containers for hazardous materials

Clean your lawnmower underneath of all grass and debris (use a hose). Clean other lawn tools and equipment.

Drain gas and oil out of the lawnmower into storage containers. Contact your local recycling company or Environmental Protection Agency office for information on disposing of the gas and oil.

Tape or tie handles of rakes, shovels, and other garden tools.

Pack smaller garden/lawn items in a box.

Drain your garden hose down a hill, roll up, and put in a box. Now you're done!

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