Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Pack n Move - tips for a perfect move to another station


Large Cartons/trunks 
Medium Cartons (available easily at canteen stores) 
Small cartons 
Bubble wrap (Delhi is a good place to get it in bulk)
Corrugated rolls / Corrugated sheets
Brown paper sheets
Wax paper for new furniture/ unused sarees or bedsheets)
Packing tapes (duct)
Plastic twine
Knife , scissors 
Marker
Packing inventory form
Handle With Care, Glass & Arrow stickers
A dairy to make lists of things (very important)




Start packing several weeks before your move date - Do not do it in the last minute. 
Begin with things you use less frequently, such as books, knick knacks etc.
Clearly identify what things you want to pack or leave behind
Keep away all import documents, keys, jewellery.
Pack one room at a time, marking each box with a description of its contents and destination (i.e. kitchen, master bed).
Small & tiny goods take more time to pack than large ones.
Do not pack any perishables, fluids, chemicals, dangerous goods or explosive goods.
Do not pack fragile items with heavy items
Do not pack incompatible items (like books with glasses)
Do not make the carton boxes too heavy.
When assembling the cartons, Reinforce the bottom of all boxes with packing tape to prevent contents from falling out of the bottom. 
Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes. 
Keep heavy items at the bottom & light items on the top.
Fill each carton up to its capacity and make sure top and sides of boxes do not bulge or sag. Under-packed boxes may collapse and over-packed boxes may tear.
Use packing paper to fill empty space in cartons to prevent shifting and breakage. 
Do not to compromise with packing materials. They are far cheaper than broken or damaged belongings.
Use "FRAGILE" labels on boxes with breakable items. This will alert movers to handle with care. 
Do not use packing tape directly on furniture, electrical etc. Then are difficult to remove.




1) Books should be packed in small cartons.
2) Polythene should be used for lining in the carton.
3) The books should be kept flat.
4) Fill empty space in the carton with paper to prevent inside the carton.
5) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.

1) Clothes & Linen should be packed in large cartons.
2) Polythene should be used for lining in the carton.
3) Clothes/Linen should be folded and neatly placed inside the carton.
4) Place moth balls to keep contents free from insects (For long voyage or storage)
5) Perfume / Sandalwood sachets can be provided to keep your goods smelling fresh (For long voyage or storage).
6) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room 9 destination on the package for identifications.



1) Wrap all small crockery and other small articles with thick brown paper.
2) Use bubble wrap in case items is very delicate.
3) Use corrugated rolls is case item is large for additional protection.
4) Plates must be individually packed with brown paper and if plates are large or heavy, a set of 5 to 10 plates should be pack with corrugated rolls.
5) The packed items should then be placed in strong medium sized cartons.
6) The bottom & top of the cartons should be taped and properly padded with paper & corrugated rolls or sheets.
7) Plates and Long items like Stem glass / bottles should be kept vertically in the cartons to avoid breakage in transit.
8) Proper padding with paper should be given between the items and to prevent shaking of the items inside the carton.
9) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers
10) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
11) Crating is advisable.

1) Use original packing if available & refer owner's manual for instructions.
2) Disconnect cords.
3) If original packing not available first wrap with polythene to protect from dust/scratches.
4) Wrap with bubble wrap for cushioning
5) Wrap with corrugated rolls or sheets for added protection
6) Finally place the TV in a strong carton.
7) Don't forget to pack the remote & cables along with the TV.
8) Secure cartons with tape.
9) Secure with twine or straps for larger TV.
10) Mark package with glass/handle with care stickers
11) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
12) Crating is strongly advised.

1) Use original packing if available & refer owner's manual for instructions
2) Make a drawing of the wiring & disconnect cords. Mark each wiring separately.
3) Remove all Cassettes / CD / VCD / DVD from the player.
4) If original packing is not available first wrap all components with polythene to protect from dust/scratches.
5) Wrap with bubble wrap for cushioning
6) Wrap with corrugated rolls or sheets for added protection
7) Finally place the components in strong cartons.
8) Don't forget to pack the remote & cables along with the music system.
9) Secure cartons with tape.
10) Secure with twine or straps for larger music systems.
11) Mark package with glass/handle with care stickers
12) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
13) Crating is strongly advised.

1) Take a backup of the Hard-disk.
2) Use original packing if available.
3) Disconnect cords & mark each wiring separately (Make a drawing of the wiring if required).
4) If original packing not available first wrap all components with polythene to protect from dust/scratches.
5) Wrap with bubble wrap for cushioning
6) Wrap with corrugated rolls or sheets for added protection
7) Finally place the components in strong cartons.
8) Don't forget to pack the cables along with the computer.
9) Secure cartons with tape.
10) Secure with twine or straps if box are large.
11) Mark package with glass/handle with care stickers
12) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
13) Crating is strongly advised.



1) Disconnect cords and drain out the water.
2) Clean the washing machine/ dryer completely.
3) Bolt the drums & provide padding to ensure that there is no movement of the drums while in transit. 
4) Tape down all other loose parts both on the inside and the outside like electrical cord 
5) Secure doors from opening during transit.
6) In top loading Washing Machine ensure padding is given between the tub or drum with corrugated rolls or cushions/towels to avoid shaking. 
7) Wrap with polythene to protect from dust/scratches
8) Wrap with 2 ply corrugated rolls or 3 ply corrugated sheets to provide padding
9) Secure with twine or straps for heavy washing machine
10) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers (if required)
11) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
12) Crating is strongly advised.

1) Empty contents and defrost the fridge at least 24 hours before packing.
2) Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and drain out the automatic ice maker.
3) Clean the fridge completely including walls, drawers, shelves & freezer and ensure that the is no water or food particles left behind
4) Some refrigerators have "levelling rollers," which are wheels that raise and lower each corner of the refrigerator so it is even. Check your manual to see whether you should raise or lower them for the move.
5) Pack the shelves with corrugated rolls (especially if they are glass) and tape them together. 
6) Tape down all other loose parts both on the inside and the outside like electrical cord 
7) Secure drawers & doors from opening during transit.
8) For Refrigerators with lock/keys, lock the fridge and place the key in an envelope or plastic bag and tie it to the tie the handle of the door. 
9) Refrigerators should be moved empty. Do not fill it with clothes or linen.
10) Wrap with polythene to protect from dust/scratches
11) Wrap with 2 ply corrugated rolls or 3 ply corrugated sheets to provide padding 
12) Secure with twine or straps for heavy fridge
13) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers (if required)
14) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
15) Crating is strongly advised.
16) NOTE: FRIDGE SHOULD ALWAYS BE MOVED VERTICALLY WHEN LOADING/UNLOADING

1) Disconnect the cords (It is advisable that a professional electrician does this)
2) If air conditioner is in use, allow 24 hours before for coils can dry and cool off.
3) Remove and clean or replace the filter.
4) Disconnect cords / tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not the back, where the coils are).
5) Tape down all other loose parts both on the inside and the outside like electrical cord 
6) Wrap with polythene to protect from dust/scratches
7) Provide adequate padding for the Control panels & coils
8) Wrap with 2 ply corrugated rolls or 3 ply corrugated sheets to provide padding
9) Use strong corrugated boxes if available.
10) Secure with twine or straps for heavy air-conditioners
11) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers (if required)
12) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
13) Crating is strongly advised.

1) Dismantle furniture if possible & if easy.
2) Place bolt, nuts or screws in envelopes or plastic bags and tape to underside of furniture.
3) Fill empty spaces on sofa with light cushions / linen / soft toys
4) Place silica gel to absorb moisture (For long voyage or storage).
5) Place moth balls to keep items free from insects (For long voyage or storage)..
6) Wrap with Brown Paper or wax coated paper to protect polished surfaces
7) Wrap with polythene to protect from dust/scratches
8) Wrap with 2 ply corrugated rolls or 3 ply corrugated sheets to provide padding
9) Secure with twine or straps for heavy items
10) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers (if required)
11) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.



1) Empty contents. 
2) Dismantle furniture if dismantling is possible and if easy. Pack dismantled components separately.
3) Place bolts, nuts, screws, lock, keys in envelopes or plastic bags and tape to underside of furniture.
4) Secure drawers from opening during transit.
5) If handles protrude and are delicate, handles should be removed and placed on the inside of the furniture.
6) Fill empty spaces on cupboard with very light cushions / linen /soft toys if required. Avoid if the furniture is heavy.
7) Place silica gel to absorb moisture (For long voyage or storage).
8) Place moth balls to keep items free from insects (For long voyage or storage).
9) Wrap with Brown Paper or wax coated paper to protect polished surfaces
10) Wrap with polythene to protect from dust/scratches
11) Wrap with 2 ply corrugated rolls or 3 ply corrugated sheets to provide padding
12) Secure with twine or straps for heavy items
13) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers (if required)
12) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.

1) Wraps mirrors or glass with bubble wrap.
2) Wrap with corrugated rolls or corrugated sheets to provide padding
3) Secure with twine or straps for heavy items
4) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers.
5) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
6) Crating is strongly advised.
7) NOTE: MIRRORS & GLASS SHOULD ALWAYS BE HANDLED & MOVED VERTICALLY

1) Place a tissue paper or butter paper on the surface of the painting
2) If painting has glass, tape the surface of the glass using cellophane tape across corners & centres in an "X" & "+" mark. If the glass cracks in transit, this will hold the broken glass pieces together & prevents them from tearing the painting. 
3) Wrap with bubble wrap for cushioning
4) Wrap with 2 ply corrugated rolls or 3 ply corrugated sheets to provide padding
5) Use picture boxes if available.
6) Secure with twine or straps for paintings
7) Mark package with fragile/glass/handle with care stickers (if required)
8) Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
9) Crating is strongly advised.



1) Suits & Dresses should be packed in either flat suit carton or Hanging Suit carton.
2) Flat Suit Carton
a. Polythene should be used for lining in the carton.
b. Suits/ Dresses should be folded and neatly placed inside the carton.
c. Place moth balls to keep contents free from insects (For long voyage or storage).
e. Perfume / Sandalwood sachets can be provided to keep your goods smelling fresh. (For long voyage or storage).
f. Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.
3) Hanging suit carton
a. Carton Should be assembled
b. Polythene should be used for lining in the carton.
c. Suits/ Dresses should be hung on hanging bar neatly using hangers.
d. Silica gel should be used to avoid moisture. (For long voyage or storage).
e. Place moth balls to keep contents free from insects (For long voyage or storage).
f. Perfume / Sandalwood sachets can be provided to keep your goods smelling fresh. (For long voyage or storage).
g. The hangers should be sealed on the hangers using packing tape to prevent them from falling off.
h. The suit carton should again be sealed properly & moved vertically to ensure that the suits do not fall of the hangers in side
i. Mark owner name, package number, contents, room & destination on the package for identifications.

2 comments:

  1. Interesting...seems like you have done quite a bit of research in packing and moving :) Where are you now moving to from?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Quite an elaborate "army style" list.
    In the navy, we used to just dispose off maximum possible things, call the packers and movers, and move light, as we never were sure of the accommodation in the next station. The only thing I never disposed off and personally packed were my books.

    ReplyDelete

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