Packing Tips
Correct packing makes all the difference between a smooth, successful move and an inefficient nightmare of misplaced boxes, strained backs, and broken items.
Selecting the right boxes for moving is crucial. The things you need to move rarely fit real or correctly in those free boxes from your corner store. So resist the urge to fill your car with those free, but awkward boxes and buy fresh, sturdy moving cartons – Father & Son carries all the most popular sizes and we can provide you with exactly what you need. Here are the most common boxes used for household moving:
Small (16.5”x12.5”x12.5”)
Ideal for moving compact, heavy items such as books, CDs, DVDs, and small personal or countertop appliances. Pack items on edge, alternating book spines up and down to fit more evenly.
Medium (18”x18”x16.5”)
Well-suited for bulky but fairly lightweight items such as clothing, towels, and bed linens.
Wardrobe (51”x18”x18”)
Constructed with a lightweight metal bar for hanging, wardrobe boxes can take coats and jackets directly from your closet to your new home.
Dish box (18”x18”x28”)
Perfect for most kitchen and dining place settings, pots, pans, and serving platters. Use moving paper (blank newsprint) to wrap each piece and place on edge in the box to reduce the chance for breakage.
Picture box (24”x36”x3.5”)
The safest way for transporting framed pictures, mirrors, and artwork. Wrap and place each piece on edge in the box – the number of items per box will depend on the items’ dimensions.
Lamp box (12”x12”x40”)
When possible, disassemble lamps and shades. Wrap each piece individually.
After filling each box (use crumpled newsprint to fill unused space), securely tape along the edges and label the box on at least two sides plus the top with a permanent marker, identifying the contents (e.g., “kitchenware”, “spare linens”, etc.). Also, be sure to tape the bottom seams of each box after assembly, but before filling with items – you don’t want to lift a box full of your best china only to have it fall out the bottom because it wasn’t properly secured.
NOTE: Always use UNPRINTED newsprint (available through Father & Son) – NEVER old newspapers. The ink used to print newspapers easily transfers to many materials and is often difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
No time to pack? We’ll do it for you!
Too busy to pack? Don’t worry, our professional packers can do it for you – as much or as little as you want. From just the awkward or delicate things, to every shelf and drawer. Just ask!
Call TOLL-FREE 1-888-395-4333 for more information and a fast, FREE estimate!
