Packing Tips

Packing is a crucial part of your move. An organized and planned packing process will allow you to start your new life at your new location quickly and easily. Elite Moving & Storage has created these important packing tips for moving in order for you to create a smooth packing process.

• Pack early. It is important to go at your own pace and not rush the packing process in order to account for all items you plan to move with you and to make sure you are well-organized for easy unloading when you arrive at your new location.
• Mark all boxes to indicate what is in each box and what room it goes to.
• Heavier Items should be in smaller boxes and light bulky items in larger boxes in order to keep boxes from splitting or crushing.
• Pack all the boxes to their maximum capacity and, if possible, combine paper to prevent movements that will cause noise and damage to the boxed items.
• Save or Resell your used boxes that you’ve purchased after the move is complete.
• Dishes: make sure that each dish is separately wrapped with paper or bubble wrap and there is padding on the bottom of the box as well as between each individual item. Cover the top of the items before you close the box to ensure tightness and security.
• Drawers should be empty of any contents.

• Tools and Lawn Equipment — Drain oil and fuel from power tools such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers and chain saws (do not ship flammables under any circumstances). Pack hand tools in small, strong cartons. Wrap separately if valuable.
• Motorcycles — should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle batteries should be disconnected.
• Home Theater Systems, Plasma and Big-Screen TVs, Surround Sound Systems and Entertainment System Components — We recommend using a qualified third party to properly prepare plasma and big-screen TVs and entertainment system components for transport. It is best to use the original packaging when available. Consult the owner’s manual for specific instructions on your equipment.
• Lamps and Lampshades — Remove bulbs, harps and shades and roll up the cord. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place up right in a clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap harp and finial with packing paper and tape to the inside wall of the carton that contains the shade. Wrap shades in tissue, not newspaper, and place upright in large, tissue-lined cartons .
• Medicine — Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack upright in small cartons or metal waste containers. Some prescription drugs, such as insulin, lose their potency if exposed to heat. Check with your pharmacist before transporting them with your shipment. Our recommendation is that you carry all medications with you.
• Stereos — Secure the tone arm and turntable against the movement by tying. Secure the changer to avoid its moving forward. On delicate, expensive players, it is wise to have this done by an experienced serviceman.
• Microwave Ovens — Remove all loose articles inside the oven, such as cookware, glass shelves and carousels. Wrap loose articles and place in a separate container. Tape the door shut in an “X”-pattern to protect the glass. Use the original manufacturer’s carton if available.
• Glass items: Glass tops, glass shelves, Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures For complete safety, these items should be crated. This is a “must” when storing or shipping; Wrap them in unprinted newspaper or paper pads and place them in picture / mirror box.
• Cables — Disconnect all the cables from all electronic items like TV, Stereo System, DVD, VCR and pack them together.
• Computers — Pack computer equipment — PCs, scanners, printers, etc. — in original cartons when available. Otherwise, use strong, corrugated cartons and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Place additional padding between the carton and the computer.
• Rugs — Leave large rugs to be rolled up by the carrier.
• Silverware — Wrap each piece in cloth or low-sulfur-content paper to prevent tarnishing. Wrap the silver chest in an old blanket or moving pad to prevent scratching.
• Waterbed Mattresses — Drain all water from the waterbed and, grasping the internal baffle system with the external vinyl, fold the mattress 20 inches at a time. Adjust folds to avoid making creases across individual baffles. Consult your owner’s manual for special instructions concerning the care and transportation of your mattress. Do not place your mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects
• Refrigerator / Freezes — Defrost and thoroughly dry your refrigerator before moving. This is very important. The doors should be left open several hours to air after defrosting. All pans, trays, crispers, shelves or removable parts should be removed and wrapped separately. Have your refrigerator serviced. Motor may have to be bolted down before moving. Do not plug it in at the new home until it has been unbolted.
• Stoves — Must be disconnected prior to pickup. Be sure gas lines are shut off tight and capped, if possible. For electric ranges, if the coils are loose, they must be removed together with griddles, deep fryers and removable parts, then packed separately.

• Grandfather clocks, chandeliers, pool tables, hot tubs, washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, aquariums etc.

• Valuables — Legal documents, all important papers, jewels, stamps and currency should be handled by you personally. Keep them in your immediate possession.
• Firearms — You are responsible for transporting handguns and ammunition.
• Flammables and Combustibles — Flammable liquids and aerosol cans must not be packed. Changes in temperature and pressure can cause them to leak or even explode. For your own protection, know that if you pack these items and they cause damage to your shipment or others, you — not your carrier — will be held liable. – Frozen Foods and Plants — Because of the delicate and perishable nature of these items, carriers are prohibited from accepting these packed items unless the shipment is transported less than 150 miles and/or delivery will be accomplished within 24 hours of loading. Frozen food shipped within these guidelines should be packed in a cooler with dry ice, not in a freezer.

• SMALL BOXES: (1.5 cu. ft.) Books, Records, Magazines, Canned goods, Heavy tools, etc.
• MEDIUM BOXES: (3.0 cu. ft.) Linens, Shoes, Small appliances, almost all miscellaneous items in the house.
• LARGE BOXES: (4.5 cu. ft.) Lampshades, Shoes, Pillows, Bedding, Stuffed Animals, Lighter clothing items such as sweaters, robes, etc.
• EXTRA LARGE: (6.0 cu. ft.) Lampshades, Pillows, Bedding, Only light “Fluffy” articles.
• CHINA BOXES / DISHPACKS: (Double Wall) These are for breakables such as Dishes, Stemware, Figurines, Objects of art, Lamps, other fragile items, Etc.
  MIRROR & PICTURE BOXES: (2 Piece or 4 Way) These are for Pictures, Mirrors, Glass table tops, Shelves, Marble slabs, Etc. (Use paper pads, or Bubble Wrap to cushion these items).
• LAMP BOXES: Lamp Bases, Tall Items.
• WARDROBE BOXES (With Hanging Bars): These are for good suits and dresses you don’t want to get wrinkled. To save space, you can fit blankets and pillows on the bottom of the wardrobe box.

Select a medium-sized carton or a china box (dish pack) and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper. Stack the packing paper on the work table, center one plate on the paper, Grasp a corner of several sheets and pull the paper over the plate until the plate is completely covered. Stack a second plate on the first and grasp another corner of several sheets and pull them over the second plate. Stack a third plate. Grasp the remaining two corners and fold using two sheets, one corner at a time over the plate. Turn the wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your paper. Re-wrap the entire bundle. Start with one corner of packing paper and pull two sheets over the bundle; cover the bundle with the next corner, then the third corner; and finally, the fourth. Seal the bundle with packing tape. Place the bundle of dishware in a medium-sized box or china box (dishpack) so that the plates are standing on edge. Use this technique on all saucers, bread and butter dishes and other dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantities.

Before wrapping, stuff glassware with crumpled tissue or packing paper. Lay glass on the corner of the packing paper and roll it one or two full rotations; pull the sides of the packing paper up and over the glass and continue rolling to the far corner. Corrugated paper rolls may be used for added protection. Glasses should be placed toward the top of the box. Heavier items (dishware, pitchers, etc.) should be placed toward the bottom of the box. Very delicate glassware and stemware should be placed in a vertical position — not on their sides. As you pack each layer of a box, use crumpled packing paper to assure a snug fit wherever there is a gap. All boxes that contain fragile items should be marked “Fragile.”