Packing Tips: Useful Information To Avoid Damaged Items

Added 06 October 2018
  • Appliances
    • Tape all appliance doors shut when moving.
    • Wedge doors open in storage.
    • Secure all moveable parts with paper or a wedge.
    • Wrap a paper pad around each item for protection.
    • Freezers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers make excellent packing cartons for bedding, towels, and clothing.
    • Always clean your stove before moving and give utility companies a few days notice to disconnect appliances.
  • Beds
    • Secure bed rails together with rope or plastic tape.
    • As you take beds apart, mark all pieces so you know how to properly reassemble them. Store mattresses and box springs on long edges.
    • Wrap them for protection, and elevate them off of the floor.
  • Chairs
    • Protect all chair legs by wrapping them in packing paper.
    • Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and cover them with plastic chair covers.
  • Bureaus
    • Fill your bureau drawers with a few small and fragile items.
    • Sweaters, blankets, and towels make excellent padding.
  • Dishes
    • Take your time when packing dishes.
    • Wrap each one with packing tissue and cushion them in the carton with crumpled packing paper.
    • Keep dish pack cartons under 30 pounds for easy handling and safe riding.
  • Boxes
    • Begin packing a couple of days before you move. Careful packing prevents breakage and loss of small and fragile items.
    • As you are packing, weed out old, unwanted, or unneeded possessions. They take up unnecessary storage space.
    • Pack your items in sturdy, corrugated cartons. Use packing paper, sealing tape, and a magic marker-type pen to properly pack and identify your boxes.
    • Try to keep the weight of all boxes under 30 pounds to avoid making the boxes too heavy to lift.
  • Books
    • Pack books in small cartons, keeping the weight under 30 pounds for easy lifting.
    • Line all book cartons with plastic and fill empty spaces with packing paper. Garbage bags work well as a liner.
  • Lamps
    • Pack lamp shades in individual boxes with plenty of paper, towels, or blankets for padding.
    • Lamp bases ride securely in bureau drawers, freezers, and washing machines.
  • Glasses
    • Pack glasses carefully.
    • Wrap them in tissue and pad with crumpled packing paper just like dishes.
  • Mirrors/Flat Glass
    • Store mirrors, glass table tops, and any flat glass in a sturdy crate on edge, not flat.
    • If no crate is available, you can wrap all glass separately in blankets or place heavy cardboard between each piece, and place them between mattresses.
Disclaimer: These tips are only recommended by Somersworth Storage, LLC and should be followed with caution. We will not be held responsible for any injury or damage incurred by the implementation of any of these storage tips.
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