Residential Moving Tips

Packing specialty items

Our professional movers want your valuables to look the same after relocation as they did before. General packing guidelines can be followed for most items, but some things require special care in preparation for shipment. Do not hesitate to ask for additional assistance.

Breakables

Plates and flat china

Individually wrap each piece in several pieces of clean newsprint. Stack three to five pieces together and then wrap the bundle. Always stand each bundle on its side. Never lay them flat. Create a second level by placing three to four inches of crumbled paper over bundles. Always pack larger items on the bottom and smaller items toward to top of the carton. Often, it’s helpful to add a cardboard divider between levels.

Glassware and crystal

Individually wrap and pack rim-down on the very top layer of your carton. Never place one piece inside of another. Pack especially fragile items in a smaller carton and place the entire carton in a larger, cushioned one.

Bowls

Wrap individually, nesting two to three bowls together before rewrapping the entire bundle. Place the bundle in a carton on its side or flat, creating layers as you go.

Glasses and cups

Individually wrap each glass or cup taking extra care to cushion handles with more newsprint. Pack with rims down creating layers within the carton.

Mirrors, glass/marble tabletops, pictures, paintings, etc.

Anchor Moving & Storage can provide you with special cartons that accommodate most items in this category. Place only one article in each container. Professional crating may be necessary for oversized or especially heavy items, such as tabletops.

Lamps

Remove the shade, bulb and harp. Double wrap the bulb and harp assembly. Wrap the base and cushion it in a dishpack or similar box. For lampshades, select the carton size as close to the shade measurements as possible. Fit one lampshade in similar-sized carton without placing newsprint in or around it. Take extra care with glass shades and chandeliers by having them professionally packed in sturdy crates.

Appliances

Many appliances require servicing, disconnecting and preparation before moving. Upon request, Anchor Moving and Storage will gladly schedule a third party to provide these services, though you may be able to perform most of the requirements yourself.

Refrigerators and freezers

Empty all food and secure or remove and wrap shelves. Disconnect and drain icemaker line, remove and containerize any auxiliary hoses. Tape the electrical cord to the back of the refrigerator.

Washing machines

Remove and containerize the hoses. If placing the hoses in the drum, wrap them in cloth or clean newsprint to prevent damage to the drum. Tape the electrical cord to the back of the washer. On top-loading washers, the washer drum should be secured. The drums in front-loading washers must be secured with bolts provided by the manufacturer. If the bolts have been lost, contact Anchor Moving & Storage.

Dryers

Remove and containerize the vent hose. Tape the electrical cord to the back of the dryer.

Small appliances

Individually wrap and pack clocks, radios and other smaller appliances in cartons with linens, towels or clean newsprint.

Electronics and clocks

Original manufacturer’s packaging provides the best protection for moving electronic goods. If you no longer have the original package, wrap items and place them in medium or large boxes. Large home electronics, such as plasma, LCD and flat panel televisions, should be packed in the original container if possible. If the original packaging is not available, the monitor or television should be wrapped and crated for maximum protection. Computers and grandfather clocks require special pre-move preparation. Consult Anchor Moving & Storage to determine requirements for moving these items.

Soft goods

Clothing

Leave foldable clothes in dresser drawers or pack in suitcases or mediumsized boxes. Leave hanging clothes on hangers and place in wardrobe cartons, or remove hangers and pack in lined cartons if you prefer. Leave hats in their boxes and place in a moving carton. If hats are not stored in a box, use a small box and surround them with clean newsprint.

Bedding and draperies

Cover mattresses to protect them from soil and damage in appropriate sized boxes, which are available Anchor Moving & Storage. Fold sheets, spreads and draperies and place in boxes or hang in wardrobe cartons.

Hard goods

Books

Pack similar-sized books together in smaller boxes alternating open edges with the bindings. Wrap hardback books and ones with fragile covers in clean newsprint.

Tools

Drain power tools of gasoline and oil. Bundle long-handled tools together to save space. Wrap and pack hand tools in layers with larger, heavier items on the bottom.

Flowers and plants

Live plants and potted flowers will likely not survive a long-distance relocation and are generally not moved. Wrap artificial arrangements and box individually, securing the arrangement to the bottom of the carton if possible.

Food

Jars should be taped shut and wrapped. Use smaller cartons for jars and cans due to their weight. Never pack open or perishable food items, aerosol kitchen products or frozen food. Ask your Anchor Moving & Storage about donating open food items to Move For Hunger.