Tips on Self-Packing and Cushioning

The most important aspect of packing is good wrapping and cushioning material. NEVER USE NEWSPAPERS! Newspaper ink has a tendency to rub off on everything it touches and can be almost impossible to remove from items like fine china.

Professional packers use "newsprint" (unprinted newspaper) as cushioning material.

The amount of Newspint you use depends on the items being packed. Obviously, towels or sheets in a carton require no packing material at all. For dishes or fragile items, a layer of crumpled paper should be used to line the bottom of the carton to a depth of approximately four inches. Each item should be individually wrapped -- with crushed paper between items as needed.

Packing Specific Items
Plates, Saucers, Flat China: Wrap individually and ten bundle three or four together. Stand on end in carton. Never lay flat. Use the larger items as the bottom layer and place crumpled paper as cushioning between each layer.

Bowls: Odd-shaped items and bowls, individually wrapped, should constitute the upper layers. Place on edge in carton with bottom facing up.

Cups and Glasses: Like bowls, cups and glasses should go on top, rim down and individually wrapped.

Glassware and Crystal: Always individually wrap as top layer. Never put one piece inside another. If items are particularly fragile, pack first in smaller carton, then in large one with cushioning all around.

Books: Pack upright with open edges and bound ends alternating. If any have fragile covers, wrap in paper.

Clothing: Hanging items should go into wardrobe cartons. Clothing may stay in dressers if dresers are sturdy. All other folded clothing should be packed in medium (3.0 cu. ft.) cartons.

Food: Boxed dry food should be packed in medium (3.0 cu. ft.) cartons with openings taped shut to prevent spillage. Jars or canned goods should be packed in book (1.5 cu. ft.) cartons with all jars wrapped and cushioned. Never pack or move perishable or frozen food.

Hats: If in hat box, pack in larger carton. If not, loosely stuff with crushed paper and pack in smallest carton either alone or with other hats.

Lamps: Lamp bases should be wrapped, cushioned and packed in Dish-Pack cartons. Lampshades should be packed singly in appropriate sized carton. Be careful not to put too much paper in lampshade carton as they dent easily. Cushion loosely.

Flowers: Dry flowers should be packed alone in appropriate sized carton loosely cushioned with paper. Live plants will probably not survive on a long distance move and mover cannot accept responsibility.

Stereos, Radios, etc.: Components and small electronics should be well wrapped and cushioned in either medium (3.0 cu. ft.) or large (4.5 cu. ft.) cartons. Large console stereo and televisions should not be packed. they will be padded by driver and moved as furniture.

Mirrors, Marble Tops, Glass Tops, Pictures: All mirrors, pictures, marble or glass tops should be packed in picture-mirror cartons, unless they are very small. The small items may be wrapped and packed in dish-pack cartons on edge. Very large marble or glass tops should be crated by professional packers. Their weight makes them impractical to be moved by carton.

Items NOT To Ship Or Store:

• Valuable Papers
• Stamp Collections
• Coin Collections
• Valuable Jewelry
• Pressurized Spray Cans
• Flammable Items
• Liquid Bleach
• Open Bottles Containing Liquids
• Open Food Containers
• Firearms or Ammunition
• Live Plants or Seeds
• Broadcast Equipment (including walkie-talkies)
• Building Materials

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