Pack like a Walsh Pro

Start packing the right way
Before you decide to do your packing yourself, consider the responsibilities. Sure, it takes time and energy to get the job done right, but doing it yourself can be a real money-saver, even if you're paying a mover to load the truck. For example, if you've hired a professional mover, you can still opt to pack all or some of the goods yourself, thus trimming the price. To find out just how much you can trim, ask Walsh over the phone or when we give an on-site estimate.

Packing Guidelines for Your Professional Move
If you decide to do some of the packing yourself, you'll need to have everything properly packed and ready for loading when the van arrives. In other words, all packing must be completed the evening before move day. Only the things you'll need that last night, the next morning and immediately at your destination should be left for last-minute packing.

As for how you pack—that will be expected to meet specific standards. A Walsh moving professional will inspect your boxes and if they think items are improperly packed or cartons are susceptible to damage, they may refuse to load the items until they are repacked.

A word to the wise: Generally things from garages, attics and storage spaces, such as holiday decorations and sentimental items are the ones that need to be repacked. Look for cartons that are torn, ripped, soiled, will not close or cannot be sealed. Replace those with fresh boxes. Another repacking giveaway is if you can hear the contents rattle when you shake the box. In that case, add more insulation.

What Should You Pack? Obviously, not everything will fit in boxes. As a general rule, furniture and major appliances will be wrapped and padded by a Walsh moving professional. Items requiring professional disassembly and/or crating (such as slate pool tables, chandeliers or large glass table tops) are best left to the professionals. Please notify ahead of time if crating is needed.

Box Basics
Use new, high-quality packing materials specifically designed for moving to better ensure your items will safely arrive. Professional moving cartons come in a variety of shapes and sizes that are specifically suited to fit a variety of household goods. Stackable plastic containers, purchased at your local department or hardware store, work well for movers.

Other Supplies

Bundles of packing paper (clean, unprinted newsprint)
Bubble wrap, tissue paper or paper towels for delicate items
Rolls of PVC tape (don't use masking tape or cellophane tape)
Tape dispenser
Broad-tipped markers for labeling
Scissors or sharp knife for cutting cartons
Notebook and pen or pencil for listing contents of cartons as they are packed
Labels or stickers for identifying boxes

Wrapping How Tos
Before packing cartons, you'll need to wrap most items to protect them from scratching and breakage. There are a variety of materials available, including bubble pack, foam peanuts and tissue. However, most professionals use bundles of clean, unprinted newsprint (available at your moving supply store).

Start by placing a small stack of paper on a flat, uncluttered table or countertop. Round glasses and jars can be rolled up in two or three sheets of paper; always begin from a corner of the sheet and fold the sides in as you roll. Large or odd-shaped items require a similar technique. Place them in the center of the sheet and bring the corners together. (It may be necessary to flip the item over and wrap it again from the other side.) If in doubt, use more paper! When the corners come together, secure them with tape.

Before packing each carton, line the bottom with a few inches of wadded paper for padding. Then place large, heavy items on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on the top. Plates, books and things of a similar shape, should be loaded vertically to utilize their own maximum structural strength. Don't overload cartons; keep them to a manageable weight. Fill in any voids and top off loaded cartons with wadded paper. Then tape cartons securely to avoid shifting while en route.

Labeling HintsImagine packing away a truckload of boxes and then having them delivered to your new home. How can you tell what box goes where? Labeled them, follow these tips to thwart confusion.

Use a broad, felt-tipped marker. Clearly mark your name, the room it should go to and contents on each box. Indicate "FRAGILE" on delicates; "THIS END UP" where appropriate. If available, include your bill of lading (or invoice) number and date on every box.

Tips From the Walsh Pros
Most movers suggest you start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used infrequently. Leave until the last minute things you'll need until moving day. Here are some more helpful hints.

Empty drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
Pack similar items together. For example, don't pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast-iron frying pans.
Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping paper draws attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a carton.
Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping. Use newspapers for cushioning only. The ink can rub off and embed itself onto fine china.
Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
Build up the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top.
As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or use sheets of cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.
Cushion well with crushed paper; towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered. Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper.
Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
Limit carton weight to about 50 pounds. Avoid overloading cartons but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
Seal cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items that must be left open for the van operator's inspection.
As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the carton (for easy viewing while stacked) and in a special notebook. You might want to number and/or code the cartons as well.
Indicate your name and the room to which each carton should be delivered at destination. Tape a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the carton labels so movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly.
Put a special mark (the number 1, or the letter A) on cartons you want to unpack first at destination.

Click here for more general moving tips