When packing your belongings, consider the quality of the cartons or boxes you are using. Poor quality boxes can result in damaged goods through the move or ink transfer from the box onto your belongings. Click here to view packing materials available through Allstate.
General Packing Pointers
Before starting the packing process, prepare a game plan to help the process move along smoothly. Below are a few packing pointers:
- Keep boxes organized
- Mark all boxes, designating room and box number.
- Make a carton identification log to show the number of boxes packed per room, and the total number of cartons packed. (Leave space in your log to note carton conditions or location of high value goods. Notify your mover of any high value items).
- Pack a couple of cartons a day – starting well ahead of the move will keep stress levels down.
- Stock up on plenty of “filling” material and tape.
- Pack heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top.
- Check that the bottom of all cartons are secure and will hold the weight of the contents.
- Try to keep a box weight at 50 pounds or less. It makes moving a lot easier.
- A general rule of thumb on carton size – the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.
Packing Dishware
- Use a medium-sized carton (or a mover provided dish-pack) and line the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper.
- Setup a worktable with a stack of packing papers.
- Center one plate on the stack of paper, take the corner of several sheets and pull over the plate until sheets completely cover the plate.
- Stack a second plate and moving clockwise, take a second corner and pull sheets over the second plate.
- Stack a third plate and using remaining two corners, fold two sheets of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.
- Turn your wrapped stack of plates upside down onto your packing paper.
- Re-wrap the entire bundle: start with taking the corner of two sheets and pull them over the bundle, cover bundle with next corner, then the third corner and then the final corner.
- Seal the bundle with packing tape.
- Place the bundle of dishware in the medium-sized carton so that the plates are standing on edge
Use this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack in greater quantity.
Packing Cups
- Using your work table and stack of packing sheets, position one cup six to eight inches from one of the corners.
- Pull the near corner of the paper up and over the cup.
- Nest a second cup directly on top, with handle to left (second cup should “nest” itself in packing paper folded over the bottom cups).
- Pull the two side corners up and over, one at a time and tuck corners inside the top cup.
- Hold the bottom and top cup in position and roll cups to the remaining corner.
Fragile mixing bowls may be rolled in the same manner.
Packing Glasses, Stemware and Delicate Cups
- Stuff glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper before wrapping.
- Lie glass on the corner of the packing paper and roll it one or two full rotations (depending on size); pull sides of packing paper up and over glass/stemware and continue rolling to the far corner. (Corrugated paper rolls or cellular boxes may be used for added protection.)
- Place glasses and stemware toward the top of your box. Heavier items (dishware, pitchers, etc.) should be placed toward the bottom of the box.
Delicate glassware and stemware should be placed in an upright position, not on its side.
No matter what you’re packing, you should use crumpled packing paper in between each layer to assure a snug fit wherever there’s a gap. All boxes containing “fragile” items should be marked accordingly.
Specialized Packing Tips
The list of individual household items is endless. Most can be packed by following our packing pointers. Here are some additional packing tips for major items. If you have an item in question and it is not shown below please email us or call one of our representatives for help.
Bureau Drawers –
- Don’t overload. Too heavy a load can cause damage.
- Remove firearms and any items that might break or leak. (Firearms, along with serial numbers, must be registered with your mover before the move.)
Canned Goods and Other Non-Perishable Food –
- Pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton.
- Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons.
Frozen Foods and Plants –
- Because of the delicate and perishable nature of these items, they are included in the non-allowable items for shipments transported more than 150 miles and/or deliveries that will not be accomplished within 24 hours from the time of loading.
- Frozen food shipped within these guidelines must be packed in a freezer which, at time of loading, is at normal deep-freeze temperature.
Clocks –
- Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks.
- Grandfather clocks should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.
Flammables and Combustibles –
- Flammable liquids and aerosol cans may not be packed. Please refer to the non-allowable items for details.
Lamps and Lampshades –
- Remove bulbs, harps and shades. Roll up cord.
- Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place upright in clean, tissue-lined carton.
- Wrap harp with packing paper and tape to inside wall of the carton containing the shade. Wrap shades in tissue (avoid using newspaper) and lace upright in a large, tissue-lined carton.
Medicines –
- Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with you.
Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures –
- Tell your agent about valuable paintings needing special care.
- Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons. (Do not place newspaper directly against paintings.)
- Place large pictures and paintings on edge in heavy cardboard containers.
- Large wall or dresser mirrors can be taken down by the movers and placed in special cartons, if requested.
- For added safety, place tape diagonally across mirror to protect against damage.
Personal Computers and Video Recorders –
- Pack valuable electronic equipment in original cartons if available. Or, use strong, corrugated cartons and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad around the item and place it in the carton. Place additional padding between the carton and the computer or video recorder.
- Wrap cords separately; label to identify usage and place in a plastic bag away from delicate surfaces.
- Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Place cords between the padded computer or video recorder and the carton.
- Be sure your personal computer is “parked” and ready for transport.
Silverware –
- Wrap each piece in cloth or low sulfur content paper to prevent tarnishing.
- Use an old blanket or moving pad as a wrap to prevent scratching the silverware chest.
Tools –
- Drain fuel from power tools (non-allowable items).
- Pack tools in small, strong cartons.
- Wrap separately if valuable.
Waterbed Mattresses –
- Drain all water from waterbeds.
- Fold mattress 20 inches at a time. Adjust folds to avoid making creases across individual baffles. (Consult your owner’s manual for special instructions concerning the care and transportation of your mattress.)
- Do not place your mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects.
Cars and Motorcycles –
- Cars and motorcycles shipped on the moving van should be drained nearly empty of fuel.
- Motorcycle batteries should be disconnected.
- Automobile antifreeze should be ample, to protect against severe cold in winter.
Barbecue Grills and Propane Tanks –
- Wrap grates and briquettes separately in newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery bag) and place grill parts in a carton.
- Pad carton with paper to reduce movement of contents.
- Propane tanks cannot be moved (non-allowable items). Consult your local gas grill distributor for the safest method of transportation.
