Smart Move - Packing Tips - Household Moving

Packing Tips

Packing Tips

Dishes - Always place wrapped dishes in the box on edge, much like books on a shelf as opposed to how you place them in your cabinets. A plate is much stronger on its side than flat. Think about this - a 1/4 " piece of plywood turned on it's edge could hold the weight of an automobile but laying flat or horizontal it can't hold the weight of a wheel barrow full of dirt. The same physics hold true for your dishes and plates.
Bowls - Place bowls in the box the same way you would in your cabinet.
Open space creates shifting which results in damage! Fill the spaces with packing paper (much cheaper and just as effective as bubble wrap).
Loading Tool - The packed box is a loading tool, supporting other pieces in the load. You need to pack each box up to the top filling in any open spaces. This prevents the items from shifting and the box from crushing under a heavy load once in the truck.
Labeling the box - Spend the time when packing to label each box with your name, the room it is going to and items packed in each box. This preparation at the beginning will make you unpacking process much easier.

Wrapping Tips

Sharp Knives - If the knives are stored in a knife block, they can remain in the block and wrapped all together. This helps to protect the blades. If they are not stored in a block then you will need to separate each knife with paper when wrapping several together.
Items with lids that have handles - If wrapping with the item (pots and pans, canisters, covered serving dishes) always invert the lid placing the handle down into the item.
Fragile items - Paper is your cheapest form of insurance. Always wrap the item with several pieces of paper.
Stemware - When wrapping stemware it's very important to keep in mind that the stem of the glass is its weakest point. Before placing the glass on the paper to wrap, prepare a separate support for the glass. This support will help strengthen the stem and thicken the stem area, which makes wrapping easier. Simply roll the packing paper into a tube about the width of the stem. Wrap it around the stem to create the support it needs. Depending on the size of the globe it may take several pieces of paper the make the stem the same thickness as the globe. Once the stem is supported, wrap as usual in paper or bubble wrap.