Packing Tips
We recommend that you let our professionals handle the packing for you, but if you decide to do the packing yourself, we want to help all we can. Here are some professional packing tips we’d like to share with you:
Tip #1
Purchase the cartons and packing materials (unprinted newspaper and tape) you’ll need from Ray the Mover. We can help you choose the sizes and kinds you’ll need. You’ll save valuable time compared to trying to track down suitable cartons at supermarkets. More importantly, our cartons are specifically designed for packing household goods.Tip #2
Wrap fragile articles the way professionals do; use two layers of unprinted newspaper per glass, dish, figurine, etc. Wrap firmly, but loosely enough, to provide a cushioning effect.Tip #3
Don’t overcrowd boxes. Professionals pack boxes so articles cushion each other. The top of the box should close with slight pressure. Don’t mix incompatible items (like books with glasses). Pack clothing in our special wardrobe containers, that way your clothes will hang straight and stay clean and virtually wrinkle-free.Tip #4
Pack glasses standing on end, upside down, and not on their sides. Stack dishes on edge, and fill empty spaces with wadded unprinted newspaper. Before packing the dishpack box, layer the bottom of the carton with crumpled unprinted newspaper.Tip #5
Pack lampshades, mirrors, mattresses and box springs, pictures, etc., in special cartons designed for them. Ask your Ray the Mover representative for guidance.Tip #6
Tape boxes across tops and edges. Seal every opening tightly.Tip #7
Pack your belongings room by room to make unpacking easier. Label each box with the room the box goes to, and a brief description of the contents. Mark items you’ll need right away once you move with “Unpack First,” and mark only truly fragile items with “Fragile.”Tip #8
Don’t pack paints, turpentine, pressurized cans, corrosive items like bleach or any flammable liquid. The law forbids movers to carry flammables. Properly dispose of or give away anything that could cause a fire or damage.Tip #9
When packing a personal computer, these steps will help you prepare it for safe transport. To pack your computer, we strongly recommend that you use the computer’s original carton and packing materials. If they’re not available, use a box that is both strong and big enough to hold the computer, and pack it with unprinted newspaper. For more advice, your local computer dealer can answer other questions.
- Back up your software and data files. Take these with you or send to your destination via insured mail.
- Park the hard drive (if applicable). See your computer’s instruction manual for special steps to take. With newer computers, simply turning the power off initiates this safety feature.
- Insert cardboard or an old disk into the disk drive(s).
- Unhook all cables and power cords, indicating their positions for easy set-up. Pack cords separately with manuals and software.
- Use only static-free packing materials like clean, wadded unprinted newspaper (not standard bubble wrap or packing peanuts).
- Create a base layer of wadded unprinted newspaper and place your computer on top of that layer. Then surround sides and top with more wadded unprinted newspaper until firmly packed. Then seal carton with packing tape.
- Remove all ink cartridges from the printer and pack similarly to Tip #6.
