PACKING TIPS
At American Mini Storage we know that packing can be stressful. Here are some tips and information which we hope will help!
Helpful Tips
• Label and/or code every box! It’ll streamline your unpacking if you identify and unpack room by room.
• Start early with a couple of boxes each day. It helps to pack a room at a time.
• Distribute with heavy items—no box should be over 50 lbs..
• Use smaller boxes for heavier items (like books) for better manageability.
• Heavy items go in first.
• Cover clothing with plastic against moisture or dust.
• Do not store combustibles, including paint and thinners.
Packing Supplies:
Boxes, boxes, boxes! Start collecting early—you’d be surprised how many you’ll need.
• For clothing, best to purchase large garment boxes (about $15 each). They have sturdy crossbars across the top so you can hang your suits, dresses, coats, etc.
• Clear plastic bags are great for small stuff and you can easily identify their contents.
• Packing Tape—you can’t have too much. Don’t forget to tape the box bottoms.
• Masking tape is excellent for labeling or securing covers around larger items.
• Twine or sturdy cord for tying up cords and boxes and framed items.
• Labels help you and the movers unload boxes to the right room. Use colored labels to instantly identify each box. And don’t forget the markers.
• Foam peanuts, newspaper, paper towels or bubble wrap.
• Small tools, like hammer or screwdriver, for disassembly.
• And a notepad to record and color-code what you packed. Keep this with your important documents.
Packing Tips
Pictures and Mirrors
• Wrap pictures that are small and stand them on end in boxes.
• For larger ones, buy special picture boxes.
• Consider using foam or bubble wrap.
Electronic Equipment
• It is a good idea to use the original boxes. (If you don’t have them, pack items carefully and use cushion material. Bubble wrap, cushion foam, and even wadded up newspaper will help.)
• Pack items separately.
• Stack record albums on end to prevent warping and use small boxes to hold down the weight.
• Consider the temperature as heat can warp CD’s and record albums.
Crystal, China, and Fine glassware
• Wrap each item with paper or foam.
• Label boxes with glass items and stack these on top.
• Add packing material to both the bottom and the top of the boxes.
Kitchen & Laundry
• You can put several small appliances in a box. Be sure to put packing material between them.
• It is a good idea to label box indicating what room it goes in and the items it contains. – Always consider the weight of what you are putting in boxes. It is better to use 2 smaller boxes than one heavy one.
Appliances
• Tape doors shut while moving.
• Wedge doors open in storage to prevent mildew.
• You can use this valuable storage space for items such as blankets and towels.
Books and other valuables
• Pack books together in small boxes – Big boxes of books can weigh too much.
• Store your valuable papers in plastic bags.
• Consider putting boxes on pallets or something to keep them off the floor.