Packing Tips - A Comprehensive Guide

• Pack one room at a time. This will help you when it comes time to unpack.
• Pack a couple of boxes a day, starting well ahead of the move.
• Mark all boxes with contents and room.
• Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. A general rule to remember on carton size — the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.

How to pack dishware

1. Select a medium-sized carton (or dishpack specialty box) and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper.
2. With packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work table, center one plate on the paper.
3. Grasp a corner on several sheets of packing paper and pull the paper over the plate until sheets completely cover the plate.
4. Stack a second plate on and, moving clockwise, grasp a second corner and pull sheets over the second plate.
5. Stack a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.
6. Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
7. Re-wrap the entire bundle: start with one corner of packing paper and pull two sheets over the bundle, cover bundle with next corner, then the third corner; and finally, the fourth.
8. Seal the bundle with packing tape.
9. Place the bundle of dishware in a medium-size box so that the plates are standing on edge

Use this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantity.

How to pack cups

1. With packing paper in place on the work table, position one cup six to eight inches from one of the corners.
2. Pull the near corner of the paper up and over the cup.
3. Nest a second cup directly on top, with handle to left (second cup should “nest” itself in packing paper folded over the bottom cups).
4. Pull the two side corners up and over, one at a time, and tuck corners inside the top cup.
5. Hold the bottom and top cup in position and roll cups to the remaining corner. Fragile mixing bowls may be rolled in the same manner.

Delicate cups, like china, should be wrapped one at a time. Antique glass or china should be stuffed with crumpled tissue and wrapped one at a time.

How to pack glasses and stemware

1. Stuff glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper before wrapping.
2. Lay on the corner of packing paper and roll it one or two full rotations (depending on size)
3. Pull sides of packing paper up and over glass/stemware and continue rolling to the far corner.
4. Place glasses and stemware toward the top of your box.
5. Delicate glassware and stemware should be placed in an upright position, not on its side.
6. Heavier items (dishware, pitchers, etc.) should be placed toward the bottom of the box.
7. Use crumpled packing paper in between each layer to assure a snug fit wherever there’s a gap.
8. Label boxes as fragile and note the contents on the side of each box.

Specialized Packing Tips

• Clocks — Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks. Grandfather clocks should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.
• Drapes and Curtains — Hang drapes over crossbars in wardrobe cartons, or pack folded in moving boxes. Remove curtains from rods, then fold and pack in boxes. Pack rods separately.
• Lamps and Lampshades — Remove bulbs, harps (the metal piece that holds the shade) and shades. Roll up cord. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape to inside wall of carton that contains shade. Wrap shades in packing paper. Place upright in large, packing-paper lined cartons.
• Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures — Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons. Place large pictures and paintings on edge in heavy cardboard containers. Large wall or dresser mirrors can be taken down by the movers and placed in special cartons.
• Computers, Stereo Equipment, and Personal Electronics — Pack valuable electronic equipment in original packing materials and boxes when available. Otherwise, use high quality moving boxes and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad around the item and place it in a moving box. Place additional padding between the moving box and equipment. Wrap cords separately, label to identify usage and place in a plastic bag away from delicate surfaces.
• Silverware — Wrap each piece in cloth or low sulfur content paper to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or moving pad as a wrap to prevent scratching the silverware chest.
• Tools — Drain fuel from power tools. Pack tools in small, strong cartons.
• Cars and Motorcycles — Cars and motorcycles shipped on the moving van should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle batteries should be disconnected. Automobile antifreeze should be ample to protect against severe cold in winter.
• Barbecue Grills — Wrap grates and briquettes separately in a newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery bag) and place parts in moving box. Pad box with paper to reduce movement of contents.

Ready To Learn More?

We’ve got a couple of short videos that you may also want to check out:

• Learn what moving boxes and supplies you’ll need for your move.
• Find out what NOT to pack for your move

And, if you want information on selecting moving boxes and packing materials, as well as tips on how to make packing for your residential move easier, head on over to our blog.

Need A Helfpul Moving Planner Checklist?

If you’d like an easy way to plan ahead for your residential move, then take a look at our handy 4-week and 12-week move planning checklists.