01/29/2015
PACKING TIPS
ALTACAN MOVING & STORAGE will plan your entire move with no detail left unaddressed, leaving you time to focus on what's most important to your family and the transition to your new home. We can also set you up with all the moving supplies you need, along with valuable moving tips.
Your possessions deserve the best care available. Consider having our moving professionals pack for you, ensuring your possessions arrive at your new home safely. We understand that there are many unexpected costs associated with moving and in that case, we can pack just your most delicate china and breakables. Ask one of our moving consultants for details.
If you decide to do some or all of your own packing, your King's Transfer moving consultant can provide you with proper packing cartons, packing paper and tape at a nominal cost. There are also gently used moving cartons available at a reduced cost.
For fragile and high value items such as antiques, marble tabletops, large oil paintings and other priceless possessions we can have transportation crates custom built to suit.
HOW TO PACK BOXES
CHOOSE THE PROPER SIZE AND TYPE OF CARTON
Heavy items such as books, albums, canned food, etc. should be packed in smaller cartons. Some items such as large pictures, mirrors, glass tops and shelves, and clocks may require special cartons which we can provide.
PACKING SOME ITEMS IS OPTIONAL FOR LOCAL MOVES
When you are moving locally some items do not have to be packed. For example, mirrors and large pictures can usually be wrapped in moving blankets for short distances without packing. These items should be properly packed for long distance moves and for shipments moving into storage. Lamps and lampshades should always be packed.
ONE ROOM AT A TIME
Packing can appear to be an insurmountable task when viewed from the perspective of the entire house. Pack one room at a time and stay with that room until it is fully packed. This will divide packing your home into several smaller and more manageable tasks.
TAPE THE BOTTOM OF CARTONS
Taping the bottom of cartons before filling them makes the cartons sturdier and prevents the contents from spilling out of the bottom during the move.
HEAVY ITEMS ON THE BOTTOM, LIGHT ITEMS ON TOP
Like packing your groceries, the heavier items should be placed at the bottom of the carton and the lighter items on top to prevent damage.
USE A LOT OF PAPER
All breakable items should be wrapped individually in paper. Paper should be used to cushion the bottom, sides and top of cartons.
PACKING PLATES
PLACE BREAKABLES CORRECTLY IN THE CARTON
Plates should be stacked vertically as if in a dish rack and glasses and stemware should be placed in an upright position. Again, use plenty of paper on all fragile and breakable items.
FILL CARTONS APPROPRIATELY
Fill all cartons to the top without overfilling before closing. Cartons with items sticking over the top can’t be properly closed or stacked and cartons that are under filled tend to crush when stacked. If there is a small space at the top, it can be filled with paper, a towel, a blanket or other similar items.
SEAL CARTONS SHUT WITH TAPE
Cartons should be closed-top and sealed with tape to prevent damage and to make stacking easier.
LABEL EACH CARTON
Use a felt marker or pen to clearly label each carton’s contents and the room it belongs to at your new destination. Make your label and notes on the side of each carton rather than on the top, so that when the cartons are stacked they can be easily identified. If you pack something that requires it to be kept in an upright position, draw arrows on each side of the box indicating which end must always be kept up. Any cartons containing fragile items should be labeled as such.
STACKING CARTONS
Time will be saved on your move if you arrange cartons in stacks of similar size, four to five feet high. This enables the cartons to be easily moved on dollies from the house to the truck.
