13 Oct Packing Tips

General

Electronics and Small Appliances

• Remove any batteries before packing.
• If you have the original boxes and packing materials for these items, use them.
• If not, wrap cords around the items then individually wrap them in plenty of paper or bubble wrap and place them in boxes that have a protective layer of crushed newsprint on the bottom. Fill gaps with additional crushed newsprint.
• Seal the boxes and mark them as fragile.

Dishes, China, Glass and Crystal

• Specially constructed dish pack boxes are the best choice for these items. These boxes have double wall construction designed to better protect fragile items.
• Place a protective layer of newspaper on the bottom.
• Wrap all dishes, china and glassware individually in clean paper.
• Put larger items such as serving plates and platters on the bottom. Build upwards with plates and bowls in the middle and the lightest items, such as fine crystal, on the top.
• Fill any gaps with crushed paper.
• Put another protective layer of newspaper on the top.
• Seal the boxes and mark them as fragile.

Delicate Decorative Items

• Figurines, small mirrors or pictures and other delicate items should be individually wrapped and layered in the same way as dishes, china, glass and crystal.
• For particularly fragile items, we suggest that you use bubble wrap.

Lamps

• Remove the lamp shade, light bulb and lamp harp from the base.
• Wrap the base, harp and bulb separately in clean paper. Place them together in a box, filling gaps with crushed paper.
• While you can pack more than one set of lamb base, harp and bulb in a box, the lampshades should be packed separately in their own boxes.
• Use crushed paper to form a protective layer under the shade. Never use newsprint with lamp shades as it will mark them.
• Seal the boxes and mark them as fragile.

Glass, Mirrors, Marble Slabs, Pictures and Paintings

• All of these items can be easily damaged. They should never be shipped flat and should be carefully wrapped and packed on their edges in an upright position.
• Smaller items can be wrapped and grouped together in smaller boxes. Larger items should be packed in mirror boxes.
• Note that oil paintings should not be wrapped and should be packed and shipped individually in mirror or other appropriately sized boxes.
• Seal the boxes and mark them as fragile.

Books

• Pack books in small cartons, preferably flat.
• Expensive, old or delicate books should be individually wrapped before packing.

CDs, DVDs and Tapes

• Disks should be packed in their cases on edge, never flat, in boxes.
• Pack them in tight rows, filling any gaps with newspaper.
• Top with crushed paper and a supportive sheet of cardboard if you want to build a second layer.
• Tapes should be packed in their cases in the same manner as disks. However, they can be packed flat rather than on edge.
• Extreme temperatures can damage disks and tapes. They should be stored in a heated unit.

Clothing

• Clothing on hangers is best packed in wardrobe boxes. Pack clothing snugly so it does not fall off the hangers.
• If you don’t use wardrobe boxes, clothing should be removed from hangers, folded and packed in boxes.
• Light clothing stored in dressers can be left in the drawers for a move but should be packed in boxes if it will be stored for a prolonged period.
• It’s a good idea to pack cedar chips or mothballs with woolen items.
• Shoes may be packed in their shoe boxes and placed in a large box. Alternatively, wrap them in pairs and place them in a large box.

Bedding, Blankets, Pillows and Linens

• Pack in boxes or use as cushioning for fragile items.
• Use wardrobe boxes for larger items.
• It’s a good idea to pack cedar chips or mothballs with woolen items.

Draperies & Curtains

• Use wardrobe boxes to pack draperies and curtains. Fold them lengthwise, drape them carefully over a hanger and hang them in the wardrobe box.
• Alternatively, they can be folded and packed in boxes.