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Packing Tips
When packing your home or office, we have one goal in mind: to protect your goods. Key Moving & Storage understands that your belongings are valuable, sentimental, priceless and most importantly, irreplaceable. Therefore, we have developed a few "rule of thumb" packing tips that will better assure the best possible transport and protection of your belongings.For example, books, which are heavy in nature, should be packed into smaller boxes for easier handling and to make sure the box does not "bottom out."
Tip #2: Identify FRAGILE Items
For stacking purposes, boxes containing fragile items should be marked as "FRAGILE" in big letters so that our moving team will place these boxes on top of furniture, and not under other boxes containing heavier, more durable objects.
Tip #3: Mark the Outside of Your Boxes Appropriately
For a better inventory of your belongings as well as for easier unpacking, label each box with the contents. Indicate what is in each box by writing it in heavy marker on both the TOP and one SIDE of each box.
Tip #4: Mark the Destination of Every Box
To save you time and work upon delivery, mark each box with the room it will eventually go to in your new home or office. This will eliminate confusion for you and our movers during unloading and save you from having to move the boxes to their final resting spot after we are gone.
Tip #5: Condense Your Inventory
Pack smartly by identifying what you may NOT need in your new home. By disposing of unnecessary items at the origin, you will save on cost by condensing the volume of your move.
Tip #6: Use Original Boxes
If you happen to have the original boxes for appliances like TVs, stereos, electronic devices, computers, etc., use them, if they are still in good condition. Original boxes provide a snug fit and therefore better protection for the item they house.
Tip #7: Use Durable Boxes
All fragile, delicate, personal, or loose items must be boxed before we can load them onto our truck. Try to use sturdy boxes which are durable enough to contain the pieces you are putting inside. You can purchase new boxes from stores like Office Depot, Staples, Fed Ex, Airborne Express. OR you can choose to purchase boxes from us on the day of your move. KEY Moving offers specialty boxes for various household objects that are double corrugated for strength. For a full price sheet on boxes, please refer to our Packing Supplies link.
Tip #8: Fill Any Extra Space
When assembling your boxes, make sure to secure the bottom of each box with extra tape for good measure. Also, objects in each box should not be loose. Fill in any gaps with packing paper, bubble wrap, towels, blankets and the sort to prevent boxes from being crushed or the contents from shifting inside.
Tip #9: Cushion Electronics
Try to pack electronics in their original box. If unavailable, use sturdy, strong boxes (dish or TV box). Pad the bottom, sides, and top with crunched paper or bubble wrap. If you pack several electronics in the same box, place heavy items (receiver, monitor, etc.) on the bottom, light items (CD player, scanner, etc.) on top with a hearty layer of paper/ bubble wrap in between.
Tip #10: Wrapping China, Glassware and Dishes
For china, dishware, and fragile items use double corrugated boxes (dish box). Pad the bottom with crunched paper. Wrap each item individually, and create layers of items, heavy on bottom, light on top. Insulate layers of items with a hearty layer of paper. Cups and glasses should be stacked next to each other, upside down, while plates should lie flat. Pots and pans should be boxed in medium size boxes (linen or dish boxes). Do not over pack; heavy yet fragile boxes spell trouble.
Tip #11: Use Wardrobe Boxes
Wardrobe boxes save on time. Place hanging clothes in wardrobe boxes on existing hangers. You can throw some shoes, belts, etc. on the bottom, but be careful not to over pack. Clothes, shoes, linens, etc. should be placed in medium boxes (linen box).
Tip #12: Box Your Pictures
Pack pictures in picture boxes, pad the bottom sides, and top with crunched paper. Smaller pictures (less than 28"x18") can fit in double corrugated (dish) boxes, in the upright position, side-by-side, individually wrapped with plenty of paper, underneath, on the top, and on the sides.
Tip #13: Remove Bulbs
Remove light bulbs from lamps. Place lampshades in a separate box, mark in large letters LAMP SHADE! and FRAGILE.
Tip #14: Mark Boxes with Liquids
Pack the boxes with the cleaning supplies to be light yet sturdy. Make sure to mark these boxes in large letters clearly identifying the contents; otherwise, it's very common for an unmarked box of this kind to leak.
Tip #15: No Flammables!
Do NOT pack flammable items such as paint, gasoline, lighter fluids, aerosol cans, etc.! Please drain flammable gas from tanks (usually on B.B.Q. grills) in an open, spark-free and heat-free environment, at your own risk. We do not move gas tanks unless they are empty.
Tip #16: Clean the Grill
If you are shipping a charcoal B.B.Q. grill, dispose of any left over coal and ash before the move.
Tip #17: Keep your Valuables Safe
Money, credit cards, valuable papers, passports, deeds, wills, currency, medication, high-value items, and jewelry are all items that should be kept in your possession throughout the move.
Tip #18: DO NOT SHIP ALCOHOL (or foodstuffs)
For long distance moves: it is NOT recommended to ship wine or liquor, extreme seasonal temperatures, both hot and cold, can cause spoilage. For long distance moves: do not send plants, or fresh/frozen food.
Tip #19: Clean the Fridge
For long distance moves: refrigerators need to be unplugged and aired out until they are completely dry to avoid mold and foul odors.
Tip #20: Empty All Drawers
Leave dressers, file cabinets, wardrobes, and all drawers empty from contents.
