Packing Guide
Living / Family / Great Room
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From electronics to lamps, your main living area requires a little extra preparation prior to moving day.
Furniture
Your van operator will shrink wrap large, upholstered items.
- Talk to your moving professional beforehand about any leather items.
- Table corners can be protected with cardboard.
- You may want to consider packing couch pillows in large boxes.
Mirrors/Artwork
Most pictures and mirrors can be wrapped and packed in telescoping mirror cartons. Fragile or valuable fine art may require special crating and should be handled by your moving professional.
Audio Equipment
Special preparation is required for CD players, DVD players, and record turntables.
- On CD and DVD players, secure the laser with the transport screws located on the bottom or back of the unit.
- Most turntables have a plastic lock, which should be used to hold the tone arm in place. For additional protection, you may tie a piece of string around the arm in case the lock does not hold. Also, secure the platter (where the records are placed) by tightening the appropriate screws. These are usually located on top of the turntable, but check your owner's manual if in doubt.
Speakers
Pack remote controls in the boxes containing the related equipment, or perhaps pack them all in a separate, clearly labeled box.
Pack speakers in well-cushioned dish packs.
- Any large or unusually heavy speakers will simply be padded and placed on the truck.
- Servicing is usually not required prior to packing for tape deck, receiver or speakers.
Television
Don't forget external antennas!
Some large televisions will need to be crated prior to moving day. Let your moving professional know if you have a big screen or plasma television.
- Call your local cable company to cancel service. If you have a converter box, return the box and keep the receipt for future reference. Contact your cable company at your destination to order service in your new home.
- When choosing a location for your TV in your new home, place it on a hard surface at least six feet from your normal viewing position. Most TVs should not be placed in an enclosed space unless proper ventilation is provided.
Videocassette Recorder (VCR)
Label cords and cables so you'll know which goes where, and pack them in the same box as the electronic equipment they go with.
No special servicing is required to move a VCR. When installing at the destination, place on a hard surface, provide appropriate ventilation for openings, and do not set objects on top.
Satellite Dish
Contact a satellite-dish distributorship for the disconnection and disassembly of this sensitive equipment. Depending upon the construction and size of the unit, it may need to be crated, a service which your moving professional can provide.
Compact Discs, Tapes and Records
- Stand compact discs and records on edge, never flat, on a layer of crushed paper. Support at both ends with large, hardcover books or several pieces of cardboard cut to fit. Top with another layer of crushed paper. Identify contents on the outside of the box and mark, "FRAGILE."
- If records are not in jackets, wrap individually in tissue paper or plastic wrap to protect from scratches. Records are heavy and therefore should be packed in small cartons.
- Cassette tapes should be placed in their cases and wrapped individually in crumpled paper. Place individual tapes either vertically or horizontally on a couple of layers of crushed paper.
Books
- Pack books of the same general size together, in small book cartons.
- Pack them either flat, or with the spine touching the bottom of the carton. Do not pack with spine facing upward, as glue can break away from the binder.
- Expensively bound volumes or those of sentimental value should be individually wrapped before packing.
Photographs
Family photographs, videos, slides, and negatives should be packed in separate cartons rather than being combined with other household items. (Note: watch these when moving to very hot or humid climates by making sure the storage area protects items from the elements.)
- Protect framed photos with padding and cushioning, standing them on edge in a carton. Label cartons for easy identification.
- If possible, carry irreplaceable items with you.
Silk or Artificial Flowers
Arrangements of artificial flowers should be packed in separate cartons. Wrap carefully in plastic wrap, tissue paper, or paper towels. If possible, fasten the base to the bottom of the carton to prevent shifting. Label the carton "FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP."
Lamp Bases
After removing the light bulb and lamp harp (the frame that holds the bulb), wrap the base, harp, and bulb separately in newsprint. Place them together in a carton, filling voids with wadded paper.
Lamp Shades
Never wrap lampshades in newspaper, as the ink will soil the shade. Instead, carefully wrap each shade in three or four sheets of tissue paper, a pillowcase or a large, light towel.
- Use a sturdy carton at least two inches bigger all around than the largest shade. Line it with clean paper, using crushed paper under the lamp shade to create a protective layer, but not around the shade. A smaller shade may be nested inside a larger one, provided they do not touch. Only one silk shade should be placed in a carton to avoid stretching the silk.
- Do not pack other items with shades. Label cartons "LAMP SHADES - FRAGILE - TOP LOAD ONLY."
Chandeliers and Leaded Glass Shades
It is best to have your moving professional crate large leaded or other glass lampshades or chandeliers.
Glass Table Tops, Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Paintings, Statues & Large Vases
It's best to consult with your moving professional about custom-made cartons and crates for items of this kind. Paper should never be permitted to touch the surface of an oil painting.
Rugs
Leave area rugs on the floor for the moving company to handle.
- You may want to consider having your area rugs professionally cleaned before your move - you'll get them back from the cleaners wrapped, rolled and ready for shipping.
- Area rugs should be loaded last and unloaded first so the furniture coming off the truck can go right on top of the rug.
TV Stand/ Stereo Cabinet
Remove glass doors if possible and pack in a mirror carton.
Piano
A qualified service provider should take care of the preparations for moving a grand or baby grand piano.
- Upright (spinet, console, studio) pianos usually do not require preparation in advance. All pianos will be pad-wrapped to protect the surface.
- Plan to have your piano tuned at your new home.
Pool Table
Disassembly and crating of your pool table should be done by a third-party service. Contact a store that sells pool tables to obtain assistance.
- Crating is a possibility on slate.
You will need to make arrangements at destination to have the pool table uncrated, reassembled, and leveled.
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