Packing Tips

Dresser Drawers
Many movers will allow you to keep your dresser drawers filled with clothing during the move, offering a great way to lighten your unpacking load. Yet, keep in mind that a heavy drawer set may be difficult to move and is more likely to get damaged. So, keep your drawers filled to a manageable weight with a total load of no more than 50 pounds. It’s also important to remove items that may leak, break or cause damage, such as, a firearm. It’s best to bring firearms with you during your move. Be certain to alert your movers if firearms are part of your move long before the move.

Kid’s Toys
If your children are over 5 years of age, give them plenty of time to pack their room. While packing, discuss the advantages of your new home and inquire about how your child feels about leaving friends and moving. If your children are under 5 years of age, you can wait to pack up these rooms until the end. Decide on the items that your child or children will want to take with them during the move. Decide on the items that your child or children will want immediate access to and pack these items in special boxes, marking “1st Priority” on the box. You children can even decorate their boxes for more fun, helping them to take ownership in the move.
You can use wadded corrugated paper or clothing to fill in open spaces in the boxes. Fragile toys can be individually wrapped in corrugated paper or bubble wrap and placed in a special padded box marked “Fragile”.
Finally, you’ll want to drain water from squirt guns and seal paints in bags or containers.

Non-Breakable Kitchen Items
First, you’ll want to start by creating a “1st Day Kitchen Box” for all the items you’ll need on the first few days after you move into your new home. Start by packing a few pieces of essential cookware and utensils with the aid of corrugated paper, bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts. You can use medium and large boxes for these items. Also, you’ll want to layer the heavier items on the bottom, while placing lighter items on the top layers of the box. You can use wadded corrugated paper or peanuts to fill in spaces between layers, on the sides and on the bottom of the boxes. You may want to use bubble wrap on some items for added protection. Then, you can tape the boxes closed and mark each box appropriately by noting “Fragile – Kitchen First Day” or “Fragile Kitchen”.

Non Perishable Foods
Non-perishable canned goods are excellent to have your movers relocate for you. You’ll want to be certain to pack each can in an upright position, making each box no larger than 30 cans. Glass containers and boxed foods should be individually wrapped with corrugated paper and then placed in small boxes. Perishable food items typically do not do well during a move.

Frozen Foods & Plants
Regulations prohibit the move of frozen foods and plants if your load must travel more than 150 miles or if your load will not reach the destination point within 24 hours. Alternatively, you can secure frozen foods in a freezer that is at a deep freeze temperature for proper transport.

Prescription and Over the Counter Drugs
Prescription and over the counter drug caps should be sealed with masking tape. You can then wrap and pack them in small boxes.

Window Treatments
Drapes can be hung over the crossbars of wardrobe boxes or folded and packed in standard clean boxes. Curtains should be folded and packed in dresser drawers or standard clean boxes. The rods for curtains can be placed in wardrobe boxes.

Lamps & Shades
First, remove the bulb and then the shade by handling only the wire frame of the shade. Next, remove the harps off the lamp. Use corrugated paper to wrap the bulb and harps individually and pack them together in a medium sized box. Fill in gaps with corrugated paper. Next, roll up the cord of the lamp, tape it to the lamp, and prepare an appropriate box for the shade by placing corrugated paper on the bottom of the box. Carefully, wrap the shade in tissue paper and place the shade in the box, surrounding it loosely with tissue paper. Shades can dent easily so be certain not to pack tightly in the box. Then, wrap the lamp with bubble wrap. In a different tissue lined box, pack the lamp in an upright position. Fill this box with Styrofoam peanuts. After taping the boxes, mark “Fragile Lamp” on the top and sides of the boxes.

Clocks
The pendulum should be secured in clocks that are being moved. For Grandfather clocks, you can be secure in knowing that we have the special expertise required to move such clocks.

Mirrors, Paintings & Pictures
For valuable mirrors, paintings, pictures and large items, our San Diego moving company offers custom packing and crating for added safety. For your mirrors and paintings that are framed with glass, use masking tape to form an X across the front of the mirror or glass. Use bubble wrap to cover mirrors, framed paintings, and canvases. Then tape the bubble wrapped piece closed. Using bubble wrap will help prevent the risk of a sharp edge damaging an item or a person.
Small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames can be wrapped and placed on their edges into boxes. Large pictures and paintings can be wrapped and placed on their edges in sturdy cardboard boxes. In the end, you can tape the boxes closed and mark each box “Fragile Mirrors and Art”.

Computers & Electronic Equipment
It’s wisest to use original boxes and packaging materials for computers and electronics. If the original boxes and packaging materials are not available, be prepared with corrugated paper, bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts and two sets of boxes so that you can double box.
To start, you’ll want to back up all of your computer files on an external drive and do not let anything magnetic touch each other when packing. CD’s, videos and disks should be packed separately in a different box.
To pack your computer, wrap each component in a plastic bag to keep debris out. Then, use the original boxes and packing materials to complete the job. If you don’t have the original boxes and packing materials, fill a smaller box with peanuts and place the bubble wrapped computer monitor or CPU in the center of the box. Do not allow the components to touch any side of the box. Place all cables and accessories in the sides of each box and fill with peanuts or wadded corrugated paper.
To pack your electronics, use original boxes and packing materials or use strong, corrugated boxes that are lined with protective padding on the bottom of the boxes. Wrap a protective pad around each item and place it in its own box. Place additional padding between the box and the electronic equipment. Wrap cords separately, label each cord, and place in a plastic bag.
Tape and mark these boxes “Fragile – Electronics “.

Tools
First, clean your tools with water. The vast majority of tools should be packed in small strong boxes. Valuable tools may be packed separately and the box should be noted as such. Garden tools can be taped together and boxed. Power tools must be drained of fuel. Flammables may not be transported by your mover. You can drain fuel and oil, such as, for a lawnmower, and place it in appropriately safe storage containers to transport it yourself. Alternatively, you can dispose of gas and oil properly by contacting a recycling company or the Environmental Protection Agency.
To move a lawnmower, you’ll want to be certain to remove the grass and debris from under your mower.

Waterbeds
Your owner’s manual is the best place to receive instructions on how to pack and move your waterbed. For general recommendations, you’ll want to start by draining all water from the mattress and fold the vinyl 20 inches at a time. Do not make fold creases across baffles. You’ll also want to stay away from placing your mattress in a box that has sharp objects or pointed surfaces.

Vehicles
To move automobiles & motorcycles by shipping them, you’ll want to drain the majority of the fuel, but be certain to have plenty of antifreeze if your vehicle will be traveling through cold areas. If you have a motorcycle, the batteries should be disconnected.

Barbecue Grills & Propane Tanks
To move a barbecue grill, you’ll want to wrap grates and briquettes in newspaper, then in a garbage bag and place components in a padded box. Use wadded newspaper to fill in open areas of the box to prevent movement inside the box. Propane tanks are considered combustibles and cannot be moved by your moving company. Contact the place that you bought your propane tank from to learn about the best way to move it.

Combustibles
Combustible flammable liquids and aerosol cans cannot be moved by your mover. It is not uncommon for the temperature or pressure to change in a load carrier which may result in a leak or explosion of flammable liquids and aerosol cans. Consequently, your items can be damaged if you move flammable liquids or aerosol cans. In fact, you may be held liable for damage caused by combustibles.