- Use a dishpack carton -- an exceptionally sturdy corrugated
carton of double- wall construction -- for china, glassware and
other fragile items less than 18 inches in size. Unless cartons of
similar strength and construction are available, consider purchasing
several dish packs to ensure your fine china and glassware is safely
transported.
- Wrap all pieces of china and glassware individually in clean
paper. Using several sheets of paper, start from the corner,
wrapping diagonally and continuously tucking in overlapping edges. A
double layer of newspaper serves well as an outer wrapping. A
generous amount of paper padding and cushioning is required for all
china and glassware. Packed cartons should be labeled, FRAGILE -
THIS SIDE UP.
- Larger china and glass plates, platters and other flat pieces
are excellent as the lowest layer in a dish pack.
- Place cushioning material in the bottom of a carton. Wrap each
piece individually then wrap up to three in a bundle with a double
layer of newspaper. Place these bundled items in the carton in a row
on edge.
- Surround each bundle with crushed paper, being careful to leave
no unfilled spaces. Add two or three inches of crushed paper on top
of the bundle to protect rims and make a level base for the next
tier. Horizontal cardboard dividers can be helpful in keeping layers
level.
- Smaller plates, saucers and shallow bowls can make up a second
layer. Wrap and pack in the same way as larger items.
- Depending on their weight, these might be used either as the
bottom or middle layers. Wrap the same way as flat plates.
- Stand shallow bowls (soup plates, etc.) on edge in the carton
and deep ones (such as mixing bowls) nested two or three together,
upside down on their rims.
- Wrap sugar bowl lids in tissue, turning them upside down on top
of the bowl. Then, wrap both together in clean paper, followed by an
outer double layer of newspaper. Wrap cream pitchers in clean paper
and then a double outer wrapping. Place sugar bowls, cream pitchers,
sauce containers and similar pieces upright in the carton. Complete
the layer as for plates.
- Even when using a dish pack for china, wrap cups individually,
protecting handles with an extra layer of paper. Then, pack cups
upside down.
- If not using a dish pack, wrap cups as previously described in a
double layer of paper and place them upside down on rims in a row on
an upper layer with all handles facing the same direction. Complete
the layer as for plates.
- Because air causes silver to tarnish, all silver pieces should
be enclosed completely in clean tissue paper or plastic wrap.
Holloware -- including bowls, tea sets and serving dishes -- should
be wrapped carefully as fragile items and packed like china.
- Loose flatware may be wrapped either individually or in sets,
and in clear plastic or tissue.
- If silverware is in a chest, you still might want to wrap the
pieces individually and reposition them in the chest. Or, fill in
all empty spaces in the chest with tissue paper or paper towels.
Wrap the chest with a large bath towel.
- Wrap first in tissue paper, paper towels or facial tissue. Then,
wrap carefully in newsprint that has been crushed and flattened out.
Be sure the items are well-protected with plenty of cushioning.
- Small mirrors, plaques and pictures should be wrapped
individually in tissue paper. A bath towel or small blanket makes an
excellent outer wrapping and padding for glass. Place items on edge
in a carton.
- Use a material called bubble pack (plastic with bubbles) for
exceptionally fragile items. If an item is extremely valuable and
fragile, you may want to consider not packing it with other items
for transportation. If possible, make arrangements to transport
fragile items with you to final destination.
- An arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in its own
carton. Wrap carefully in plastic wrap, tissue paper or paper
towels. If possible, fasten the base of the floral piece to the
bottom of the carton. Label the carton FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP.
- After removing the light bulb and lamp harp, wrap the base, harp
and bulb separately in newsprint. (Use paper pads for large lamps.)
Place them together in a carton, filling spaces with crushed paper.
More than one well-cushioned lamp may be packed in a carton.
- Never wrap lamp shades in newspaper. Carefully wrap each shade
in three or four sheets of tissue paper, a pillowcase or a large
lightweight towel.
- To allow for movement, use a sturdy carton at least two inches
larger all around than the largest shade. Line it with clean paper,
using crushed paper under the lamp shade to create a protective
layer, but not around the shade. A small shade can be nested inside
a large one, if you are sure they will not touch. Only one silk
shade should be placed in a carton to avoid stretching the silk.
- Do not pack other items with shades. Label cartons LAMP SHADES -
FRAGILE.
- All are easily damaged. Glass might shatter, and marble slabs
can crack at veins. Paper never should be permitted to touch the
surface of an oil painting.
- It is best to consult with us about packing these items.
Custom-made cartons and crates may be purchased for items of this
kind.
- Pack them either flat or with the spine touching the bottom of
the carton. Do not pack with spine facing up, as glue can break away
from the binder. Pack books of the same general size together.
- Expensively bound volumes or those of special sentimental value
should be individually wrapped before packing.
- Because books are heavy, be sure to use small cartons.
- Family photographs, videos, slides and negatives should be
packed in separate cartons rather than being combined with other
household items.
- Protect framed photos with padding and cushioning, standing them
on edge in a carton. Label cartons clearly for easy identification.
If possible, carry irreplaceable items with you to destination.
- Remove these items from the stereo or storage cabinet. Keep in
mind records are heavy and should be packed in small cartons.
- If records are not in jackets, wrap individually in tissue paper
or plastic wrap to protect them from being scratched.
- Stand compact discs and records on edge, never flat, on a layer
of crushed paper. Support at both ends with a large, hardcover book
or several pieces of cardboard cut to fit. Top with another layer of
crushed paper. Identify contents on the outside of the box and mark
FRAGILE.
- Cassette tapes should be placed in the protective plastic box in
which they came, if possible, and then wrapped individually in
crumpled paper. Place individual tapes either vertically or
horizontally on a couple of layers of crushed paper.
- Clothing left on hangers and placed in wardrobe cartons will
arrive at destination wrinkle-free. Each wardrobe carton will hold
about two feet of compressed clothing on hangers.
- If wardrobe cartons are not used, each garment should be removed
from its hanger, folded and placed in a suitcase or a carton lined
with clean paper. Some lightweight clothing -- such as lingerie and
sweaters -- may be left in bureau drawers.
- Hats may be left in hatboxes and placed in a large carton. Or,
stuff the crown of each hat with crumpled tissue paper; wrap tissue
loosely around the outside and place in a carton lined with clean
paper, with the heavier hats on the bottom. Don't pack anything else
with hats. Label the carton FRAGILE.
- Footwear may be left in shoeboxes and placed in a large carton.
Or, wrap each shoe individually and then in pairs. Footwear should
be cushioned to avoid damage to heels or ornaments. Don't pack heavy
items on top of shoes.
- It is recommended that you take your furs with you.
- Blankets, sheets, tablecloths, towels, pillowcases and other
linens may be protected by a large plastic bag and packed in a
carton that has been lined with clean paper.
- Wrap your most prized linens in tissue. Also, linens and bedding
are good for cushioning or padding many types of items.
- Special mattress cartons in various sizes are available to
protect your bedding. Pillows may be placed in bureau drawers or
packed in cartons.
- Clothing wardrobes are ideal for moving curtains and draperies.
Fold them lengthwise, place over a padded hanger, pin securely and
hang in the wardrobe.
- Draperies and curtains also may be folded and packed in cartons
lined with clean paper or plastic wrap.
- Pre-move preparation is required for many major appliances. Set
an appointment with a service technician to prepare your major
appliances for movement.
- Items such as clocks, small radios and other small appliances
should be wrapped individually and packed in a carton cushioned with
crushed paper.
- Small clocks, transistor radios and similar items can be packed
in the same carton with linens or as extra items with lamp bases.
Make sure cords are wrapped so as not to scratch or otherwise damage
items.
- Steam irons should be emptied of all water, wrapped and placed
in the cushioned bottom of a box.
- Remove all batteries from small appliances before packing.
- Long-handled garden tools, as well as brooms and mops, should be
bundled together securely. Attachments should be removed from power
tools and packed separately.
- Hand tools may be left in tool boxes and the spaces filled with
crushed paper, or they may be packed according to general packing
rules. Always use small cartons because tools are usually heavy.
- Dismantle children's swing sets, TV antennas and garden sheds.
Gather pieces and bundle together with nylon cord. Place small
hardware in a cloth bag and securely attach to corresponding
equipment.
- Prepare lawn mower and other gas powered equipment by draining
gasoline.
- Open boxes of dried or powdered foods such as rice, macaroni and
cereals should be sealed with tape. Small containers of herbs and
spices, condiments, bouillon cubes, gelatin, flavorings, etc. should
be placed together in a small box before packing in a large carton.
Cover holes of shaker-type containers and seal with tape.
- Since canned goods are heavy, the amount placed in one carton
should be limited.
- Home computers, microwave ovens and stereo systems require
special care to ensure they arrive at destination safely. If you
saved the original cartons and packing materials in which these
items arrived, it is best to repack using those materials. Should
you not have these materials, you might want to contact a store
selling your particular item and ask if discarded packing materials
are available.
