Here is a carefully planned list of suggestions that will make moving smooth and easy for you and your family. By following these simple procedures you will save time, money, and in addition, have a safe and efficient transfer to your new home. Feel free to print the moving check lists to help you on your way.
CALL YOUR MOVER
- Telephone your mover well in advance so he can schedule the move for the day you prefer. A well organized move must be planned ahead.
GET AN ESTIMATE
- Your mover will give you a reliable estimate if you show him everything you want him to move. Special packing services and containers are available.
SET THE DATE
- If possible, avoid the beginning and end of each month, since movers are the busiest at these times. Plan to have the mover come in a day or two earlier to do the packing.
PACKING TIPS
- AIR CONDITIONERS
Consult your authorized dealer or service man on your particular model. Some sealed units should be bolted down.
- BEDDING
Place bedding in clean cartons. Light articles such as blankets or pillows may be put into furniture drawers.
- BEDS
The movers will dismantle your beds and set them up in your new residence.
- BOOKS
Books should be packed in small, strong, securely tied cartons. They should be placed cover to cover, alternating bindings to prevent the pages from becoming interlocked and damaged. Wrap valuable books individually. DO NOT pack books in furniture drawers or leave them in portable book drawers or leave them in portable bookshelves or bookcases.
- BRIC-A-BRAC
Wrap separately and pack in cartons, boxes or barrels. Cushion well with newsprint. Pack the largest and heaviest items in the bottom of the container. Do not pack over the edge of the container.
- CANNED GOODS
Pack upright in small, sturdy cartons. Do not pack beyond the limit of portability, not over 50 pounds to each container.
- CHINA
Wrap china and all fragile objects in paper individually. Large plates and heavy pieces should be placed in the bottom of the container, on edge, smaller plates, cups and saucers toward the top of the container. Plates and dishes should be placed in a vertical position with pads of paper in between. Recommended 3" of paper on the bottom of the barrel or carton and 2" of paper in between layers. Do not pack above edge of container.
- CLOTHING
For a small charge some movers will move clothing on hangers, from the closets directly to "mover's wardrobes" furnished by the moving company. Your clothing will reach you clean and wrinkle-free. For storage, clothing should be cleaned. Small clothing articles pack nicely in suitcases, boxes, or trunks.
- CLOCKS
Pendulums on clocks should be removed or secured tightly to the base of the clock. Small clocks may be wrapped and placed in boxes.
- CURTAINS
Before moving day, remove curtains from the rods and fold them neatly in drawers or clean, white tissue-lined cartons.
- DRAPERIES
These may be placed on hangers and transferred to wardrobe cartons, or they may be folded and placed in cartons. To save handling, they can be sent to the cleaners and delivered directly to your new home.
- DRAWERS IN FURNITURE
Articles such as blankets, cushions, pillows and clothing may be left in drawers. Do not pack heavy items in dresser, bureau, server or buffet drawers. NEVER leave liquids, breakables or firearms in drawers.
- DRYERS, ELECTRIC OR GAS
Check with your service man. Motors may need to be checked and secured.
- FOOD
Dispose of food in open containers that might spill or spoil en-route. Perishable food should never be stored or shipped.
- FREEZERS
These appliances must be completely defrosted one or two days prior to moving. They should be dried and aired to avoid musty order. Safety of contents can not be guaranteed so it is best to empty your freezer and plan meals that will use up perishable contents. Check with your service man to be sure the motor is bolted, if necessary.
- GLASS TOPS TO FURNITURE
For complete safety, these items should be crated. This is a “must” when storing or shipping; for local moving however, they frequently can be removed and replaced by the mover who should pad them safely in the van.
- GLASSWARE
Stemware and glassware should be wrapped individually and placed in barrels or placed in the top of china containers. DO NOT nest unwrapped glasses in each other. Place wrapped glassware right side up, not on their sides.
- GRANDFATHER CLOCKS
Remove chimes. Secure weight chains tightly against the base of the clock with wire or strong string and remove weights and pendulums. If it is going a long distance, call a reputable clock man to prepare the works against damages.
- JEWELRY
Keep valuable jewelry in your immediate possession.
- KITCHEN UTENSILS
Kitchen utensils should be clean and placed in cartons or barrels. Durable, heavy pieces placed on the bottom, light ones on the top with each piece padded against dents, chipping or scratching. Toasters, irons, waffle irons, mixers, etc., may be wrapped individually and placed in cartons with other kitchen utensils.
- LAMPS
Remove ornamental tops and put in a safe place... one you will remember. Small lamps may be wrapped and placed in cartons for safe moving.
- LAMPSHADES
Wrap in white, clear tissue paper only, place in cartons, mark “fragile.” Do not use newsprint. They may be nested but do not pack them so as to tear lining or puncture parchment shades.
- LINENS
Table and bed linens should be put into strong cartons or trunks. They should be lined with tissue or clean white or brown paper to protect from dust. Do not use newsprint as a liner as the ink may soil the fabric.
- MATTRESSES
Movers should protect your mattress with a bag or carton for a slight charge. Do not try to roll or handle as this may result in damaged springs or fabrics. You may protect them with a sheet or mattress cover if you like.
- MEDICINES
Seal bottles and jar stoppers. Wrap individually, placing them upright in small cartons or metal waste containers.
- MIRRORS
For storage or long distance moving, they must be crated for safe handling. Wall mirrors will be removed by the movers, if they are not fastened to the walls.
- MOWERS AND GASOLINE POWERED TOOLS
Gas tanks should be drained and all reservoirs emptied. No flammable mixtures or articles may be transported on public carriers.
- PAINTINGS & PICTURES
Small pictures can be safely placed between the folds of blankets or pillows in drawers or cartons. Large and valuable pictures and paintings must be padded, wrapped and crated for moving. Check with the moving company as to the limits of liability for valuable items.
- PIANOS
If you have a Piano make sure to use a moving company that has specialist modern equipment to move it. Most movers will make an additional charge for this service but it is well worth using an experienced operator.
- PLANTS
These should be handled personally by you or given to your florist to send to your destination. Most moving companies do not want to get involved with plants and those that don't stipulate there plant policy should be avoided.
- RECORDS, TAPES & CD PLAYERS
Pack records on end, side by side, to provide the greatest resistance to weight pressure. Use small cartons only.
- REFRIGERATORS
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 pads, 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.
- RUGS
A good moving company will roll rugs for you to avoid crushing. If they are to be stored, have them cleaned. Tacks should be removed from carpeting before our movers arrive.
- SEWING MACHINES
These do not need special servicing for local moving. For long distance, stuff paper in and around the machine and place paper between the lid and the base to prevent rubbing.
- SILVERWARE
Leave in original containers or wrap in cloth or low sulphur content paper, or tissue and pack in boxes. Place padding in silver chests to prevent moving and scratching.
- STEREOS
Secure the tune 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.
- TELEVISION SETS
Some sets require that they be checked before moving. Some color TVs must be serviced both before and after moving. Television antennas should be removed from rooftops and disassembled.
- TOILET ARTICLES
Seal the corks and stoppers of cosmetics, medicines and perfume bottles with natural nail polish, paraffin or masking tape before wrapping separately in paper and placing upright in cartons.
- TOOLS
If they are valuable, wrap separately. Tools, as a rule, can be put into small strong cartons without wrapping individually. Garage items such as rakes, brooms, etc. do not need to be packed.
- VALUABLES
Legal documents, all important papers, jewels and currency should be handled by you personally. Keep them in your immediate possession.
- WASHERS
Automatic washers must be serviced by an authorized service man. Motors should be checked and secured, tumbler action protected and fastened in place.
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