Packing Tips
Use Allied's packing tips to assist you throughout a do-it-yourself packing experience. With quality packing materials and some of Allied's packing expertise, you can pack your entire home as if the professionals would. Benefit from a safer, more secure move by utilizing Allied's packing tips and our suggestions for organizing your household goods during the packing process.
Packing Tips - Preparation
Start a successful do-it-yourself pack with the right packing materials, including:
- Tissue paper
- Packing paper (plain newsprint)
- 2" packing tape
- Masking tape
- A utility knife
- Scissors
- Permanent markers
- Professional quality boxes
Packing Tips - Allied's Packing Supplies
Allied has a wide range of boxes and professional packing materials available for purchase to help you organize and safeguard your belongings, including:
- China Barrel or Dishpack: Durable cartons used for dishes/china, crystal and glassware
- Double-wall cartons: Extra protective cartons made especially for fine china, crystal and other fragile items
- 2 cu. ft. cartons: Small carton for heavy items such as books, CDs, DVDs, etc.
- 4 cu. ft. cartons: Medium cartons used for pots and pans, toys, small appliances, etc.
- 5 cu. ft. cartons: Larger cartons for bulky but lightweight items including linens, towels, toys, etc.
- 6.0 cu. ft. cartons: For large, bulky yet lightweight articles including pillows or large lampshades
- Wardrobe cartons: Large cartons that feature a metal bar on which you can hang clothing, draperies, linens, etc.
- Mirror cartons: Telescoping cartons in several sizes to pack mirrors, tabletops, etc.
- Mattress cartons: Available in queen/king, double, single (twin) and crib sizes
- Stretchwrap: A special plastic covering that safely adheres to furniture and protects it from snags, tears and dirt
Check with your local Allied agent on materials available for purchase.
Packing Tips: Basic Training
Have you packing completed prior to move day, as everything must be packed and ready to be loaded on the actual move day. Keep the following basic packing tips in mind:
- Follow a timetable, as it takes longer to pack up your home than you would expect
- Start with items you won't need right away, such as the attic, garage, kitchen, guest rooms, etc.
- Get organized by packing room by room
- Separate each room into areas
- Sort boxes by light, medium and heavy weights as your complete packing each room
- Don't pack a carton to weigh more than 50 pounds
Let your moving company pack the following:
- Marble or glass tabletops, heavy wall ornaments and mirrors 40" x 60" or larger
- Pool tables and pianos
- Bulky, fragile items like large trophies, statues, chandeliers, etc.
- Major appliances
Packing Tips - Expert Techniques
Prior to loading your boxes, our Allied professionals will check the boxes to ensure they are properly packed and safe for transport. If any cartons are deemed susceptible to damage or unacceptable, they will ask you to repack these items. Here are some expert packing techniques:
For a room-by-room description of packing techniques, click here for our "Packing Guide."
- Make sure there is plenty of cushioning in the box, and fill any holes or voids with wadded paper
- Wrap all fragile, breakable items in paper before packing them in boxes
- The bottom layer of the carton should be heavy, larger items, followed by medium sized items and topped with the lighter, smaller and most fragile items
- Use only sturdy cartons that can be easily closed and tape top seams securely
- Label boxes clearly with your name, the room where the box should go in your new home and a description of the contents
Packing Tips - Electronics Care
When packing a large screen TV, plasma TV and other electronics:
- If you no longer have the original carton and packing materials, carefully pack the item in a sturdy carton that has been lined with newsprint or styrofoam "peanuts"
- Seal the carton securely and mark with "Extremely Fragile"
When packing your personal computer, printer, scanner or other equipment:
- Disconnect all wires and mark for easier reconnect
- Detach paper holders/feeders from printers and wrap monitors and additional hardware
- Remove toner and ink cartridges
- Back up all of your computer files
- Consult your PC user manual for additional instructions and precautions
Packing Tips: What NOT To Pack
Your moving company will not transport many non-transportable items along with your regular shipment. Non-transportable items are deemed as so due to their hazardous nature that could hurt the drivers or your other belongings during transit. Hazardous materials can include poisons, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, explosives, oxidizers, corrosives and radioactive materials.
Examples of Hazardous Non-Transportable Items Include:
- Nail polish remover
- Paints and paint thinners
- Lighter fluid
- Gasoline
- Fireworks
- Oxygen bottles
- Propane cylinders
- Automotive repair and maintenance chemicals
- Radio-pharmaceuticals
- Matches
Other items not recommended for transport on the van include:
- Firearms
- Family photos
- Jewelry
- Perishable foods and foods in glass jars
- Prescription drugs
Packing Tips - Labeling Your Cartons
Make sure to clearly label each and every carton that you pack for an organized loading, unloading and unpacking experience.
- Mark boxes with a broad, felt-tipped permanent marker
- Mark the room the box is to go in and the contents of the carton
- Write "FRAGILE" on delicates and "THIS END UP" where appropriate
- Include the bill of lading number on each carton, if possible
- List the contents of each carton on the side of the box
- Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels so the cartons into the proper rooms quickly
- Put a special mark on cartons you want to unpack first at your new residence
Packing Tips - Advice from the Professionals
- Start with out-of-season items, infrequently used items and so on. Pack the things you will need up until the day before the move last
- Empty drawers of all contents and pack these items separately
- Pack similar items together to ensure their safety during transport
- Keep all parts or pairs of things together in plastic bags or coffee canisters such as mirror bolts, small hardware items and the like
- Wind electrical cords around the object so they do not dangle
- Wrap items individually in clean tissue paper, paper towels or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Use colored wrapping paper to draw attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping
- Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning
- Pack the heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top
- Fill in all empty spaces with wadded paper to ensure items don't move or get jostled during the move
- Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered and cover these items with soft towels
- Pack small, fragile, individually-wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper
- Avoid overloading cartons but pack items firmly so there is not shifting when the cartons are being moved
- Seal cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items that must be left open for the van operator's inspection
We hope that these packing tips help you to pack all the belongings in your home in the most organized, efficient and secure manner possible. We developed these tried and true packing tips after more than 80 years of experience as expert packers, offering you a professional packing experience - even if you choose to do it yourself.
