Packing Tips

It is no easy job to pack your own things, but it does have its advantages and the main one is that you can save money. As long as you have the right packing materials and follow the tips from New City Moving, you will be able to professionally pack your belongings in such a way that they can be safely transported.

Having packing tips to follow is very useful and that is especially evident when the time comes to actually start packing up all of your belongings. If you pack things properly then you will also be organized and will prevent your things from being damaged during the move. On top of that, you will have an easier time when unpacking everything at your new home.

Preparation Tips for Packing

You will first need professional packing materials. Recommended materials include:

• 2" packing tape
• Tissue paper
• Packing paper, like plain newsprints
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Utility knives
• Professional quality moving cartons and boxes
• Permanent markers

Tips on the Right Packing Materials

At New City Moving you will be able to purchase a variety of moving boxes and other professional packing materials. These are necessary if you want to organize and protect your possessions.

• Dishpack (also called a China Barrel): These are heavy duty boxes that are used for packing dishes, china, crystal and glassware.
• Double-wall cartons: Extra protective cartons that are made especially for items like fine china, crystal and any other high-value or hard to replace items
• 1.5 cu. ft. boxes: Small boxes used for heavy items, like books, files, CDs, DVDs and video tapes
• 3.0 cu. ft. boxes: Medium utility cartons that are frequently used for packing items like pots and pans, toys and small appliances
• 4.5 cu. ft. boxes: Suitable for bulky items, like towels, linens and toys
• 6.0 cu. ft. boxes: For large, bulky and lightweight items, including pillows and large lampshades
• Wardrobe cartons: These are basically portable closets and are used to pack away clothes or draperies that are hung on the built-in bar.
• Mirror cartons: Telescoping cartons available in a variety of sizes for things like framed pictures, mirrors or glass
• Mattress cartons: Available in the sizes king, queen, double, single (twin) and crib. Box springs require a separate carton
• Stretchwrap: This is a special plastic covering and after wrapping an item it will safely adhere to the surface and protect the item from tears, dirt and rips.

Ask New City Moving about the materials that are available for you to purchase.

Newspaper is great as a cushioning, but it should never under any circumstances be placed directly against items since the ink rubs off. The ink can then embed itself into fine china and therefore it is best to just be careful in the first place.

The Basic Tips for Packing

If you want to pack up your own belongings, then you will still have to do things properly and have everything ready to be loaded onto the moving truck once it arrives. The day before the truck is scheduled to arrive is when all the packing should be completed. The only items that you won't have to pack up until the last minute are the things you will need to use the night before and the morning of the move, as well as what you will need immediately upon arriving at your new home.

Keep in mind the following basic tips for packing:

The following are basic tips about packing that you should keep in mind:

• Begin with any items you won't immediately need. This could be things that are stored in the garage, basement or attic.
• Create and stick with a timetable! Many underestimate just how long packing really takes.
• If you pack each room individually then you will be better organized.
• Each room should have its own work area.
• Boxes should have a maximum of 50 pounds.
• After a room is completely packed, you should then sort the boxes according to weight, like heavy, medium and light, so that loading the moving truck will be quick and easy.
• To be on the safe side, it is best to have the moving company pack certain items, like:
  • Pool tables
  • Pianos
  • Large appliances
  • Bulky or fragile items, such as statues, chandeliers and trophies
  • Marble or glass tabletops
  • Heavy wall ornaments are mirrors that are larger than 40" x 60"

Tips for Packing Techniques

To be sure all of your already packed boxes are safely transported our professionals at New City Moving will check them. You may be asked to re-pack any that are deemed to be improperly packed and its contents susceptible to damage.

Instructions for packing techniques according to room can be found here by clicking on our "Packing Guide."

• Loosely crumbled newsprint should be placed in the bottom of the box for cushioning and leave enough space on top for more cushioning.
• Breakable and fragile items should be wrapped in paper before they are put in boxes.
• The large or heavy items need to be put in the box first and then smaller pieces making sure to fill in gaps with newsprint.
• Do not overstuff the boxes. In order to make sure that they are sturdy, finish by taping the top seams securely shut. Do not use plastic containers for packing.
• To make unpacking easier, label all boxes clearly with your name, a small list of the contents and which room it should go to.

Tips for Packing Electronics

• For packing a large screen TV and similar electronics:
  • These should be packed into a sturdy carton. If you don't have the original packaging still then use newspaper or Styrofoam "peanuts" for cushioning.
  • The carton should be sealed with "Extremely Fragile" written on the outside.
• Packing personal computers, printers, scanners and other equipment:
  • After disconnecting the wires they should be labeled to make assembly in the new home easier.
  • Remove from printers the holders or feeders. Monitors and other hardware should be wrapped as you would any other electronic equipment in your home.
  • The ink cartridges and toner should be removed.
  • Your computer files should be backed up on DVDs or other storage media.
  • Instructions and additional precautions for your computer can be found in the user manual.

Tips on What is NOT to be Packed

If you have valuable or irreplaceable items, then these should be taken with you in your car and not put onto the moving truck. However, there are also a number of other items considered to be dangerous that are not allowed to be put in the moving truck. Among these items are hazardous materials, like flammable liquids or solids, explosives, compressed gas, corrosive materials, oxidizers and poisons.

Common examples include the following items:

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

It is also recommended that certain belongings not be shipped with the moving truck. This includes:

• Firearms
• Family photos
• Food in glass jars or perishable foods
• Prescription drugs which are needed immediately or on a daily basis

Packing Tips - Hints for Labeling

It is important to label every single box.

• Broad markers with felt tips should be used.
• The contents of the box and the room it belongs to should be clearly marked.
• "Fragile" should be written on boxes with delicate articles and "This Side Up" if necessary.
• If you have your bill of lading number available, then mark each box with it.
• For a quick overview, write in a notebook what the contents of each box are. You might also consider numbering or coding the boxes.
• On each carton, write the name and room it is to be placed in once delivered. You should also indicate on the doors of the new destination the corresponding labels so the movers can place them more quickly and prevent any confusion.
• On the cartons you want to unpack first, you should mark them with an "A" or "#1" to make things easier.

Tips from Professionals for Packing:

• Begin by packing items that are out of season. Then you can start packing anything that is not often used. Items you need on a daily basis are packed at the very end before everything is loaded onto the truck.
• Take out of drawers all items that can break, spill or which are categorized as non-transportable, as well as objects that can damage other items.
• Similar items are to be packed together. This means, for example, fine china figurines shouldn't be packed into the same box with cast iron pans.
• Items that come in pairs or have many parts are to be kept together. This includes curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and small pieces of hardware. These are best put in plastic bags and then secured to the item they belong to.
• Electrical cords should not be left hanging, but instead fastened.
• Items are individually wrapped in clean paper. Suitable is tissue paper or paper towels, but facial tissue is better for crystal, fine china and delicate objects. For small items that are easily lost it is best to use colored paper.
• A double layer of newspaper is ideal as an outer wrapping.
• At the bottom of a box you should have a 2 or 3 inch layer made of crushed paper. This is the cushioning.
• Layers are to be built up. On the bottom you place the heaviest items and then come the medium weight objects and the lightest articles are packed on the top.
• Once a layer is done you should put crushed paper into any empty spaces left. More crushed paper is added to create a base for the layer that is to come on top. Cardboard is used as a divider.
• Crushed paper needs to be sufficient to provide enough cushioning. You can also use lightweight blankets and towels for this purpose.
• The delicate or fragile an item is, the more cushioning you will need. All edges, rims and sharp points have to be covered.
• Small fragile items are to be individually wrapped and packed separately. At the most a few should go in a single small sized box that is well cushioned with shredded or crushed paper. The small boxes then are packed into one large box and all empty spaces are filled with paper.
• Boxes should not be overloaded. However, it is important to pack things so that they are firm so that shifting during the move is prevented.
• You should be able to easily close the top of a box and it should not be able to be bent towards the inside.
• Boxes are sealed tight with tape with the exception of boxes that have items which have to be inspected by the driver of the moving truck.

These tips are based on our years of experience as a professional moving company and provide the knowledge necessary to efficiently pack your belongings. Keeping this packing advice in mind will make packing everything up a lot easier than it otherwise would have been and you will keep your possessions safe from being damaged during the transport. An added bonus is that these tips will also make unpacking once you get to your new home a lot easier!