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Storage in Loughborough Ltd
Packing Guide and Helpful Hints
There are two main things to be considered when packing for moving home or storing goods.
The first is the most obvious: that is to protect the goods from damage.
The second consideration is to maximise the available space in storage and transport.
Goods that are packed well will take up less space. In this guide we give advice and ideas of the best way to pack and various materials available. The comments we have made are based on experience – good and bad.
Packing into Boxes
Things to think about-:
You can get more into a box if you leave things sticking out of the top! But – they are not protected and they will not stack. Inevitably they will then take up much more space than is actually needed. This is not a good idea.
Single wall cardboard boxes are cheaper to buy but are more flimsy. Flimsy boxes can often fall apart when lifted or crush when stacked thus damaging the contents. Better quality boxes can be cheaper in the long run.
Boxes have to be lifted and carried many times. Heavy boxes are not good for health and safety and could cause accidents.
Selecting Boxes:
Select a variety of boxes, some small ones for heavy items and larger ones for lighter items. Try not to have too many different sizes as this makes stacking inefficient.
Check that the boxes you select are strong enough to carry the goods and sturdy enough to be stacked.
Assembling Boxes
Use a good quality packing tape to assemble your boxes and tape them securely.
Packing the Box
Take particular care with delicate or fragile items. In the kitchen a layer of paper between plates and other items of china can stop chipping, but bubble wrap can be much more successful. Do not pack the box to tightly as it will become more susceptible to damage by crushing or shock. A layer of bubble wrap around the inside of the box can help to protect goods from this.
Extra care should be taken with ornaments, particularly with fragile edges (eg. Fairies wings) these items should be wrapped individually with bubble wrap and packed into the box with more protection between the items. Either more bubble wrap or loose fill is very successful.
When packing the boxes give fair consideration to the final weight, to write on the top “this box is heavy” will not make it any lighter or more practical to move. It is far better to use a number of smaller boxes or to pack each box with some heavy AND some light items.
You can save money on packing materials by packing delicate items in boxes with lighter items such as pillows, curtains, towels etc.
Labelling Boxes
This aspect is often not given enough consideration. However whether you are moving home or placing your goes into storage for some time, when you arrive at your new home there is always the things you want first and those you wish to unpack later.
Label your boxes so you can identify the contents easily. Does it matter if the box is turned upside down – if so label it.
Sealing Boxes.
Finally seal the box with packaging tape, run it right around the box. Think of it as if you are putting the box in the post, moving and transport is no different.
Furniture and large items
Furniture that was bought as self-assembly does not often move well as one piece, it is often better to disassemble for transportation.
Large items take up a lot of space, a table for example, but if you remove the legs it will take up a fraction of the original space needed.
Items that are well protected can often be stacked. Unprotected cannot thus they will use up more space. Packing materials can seem expensive but can often save money.
Loose shelving in furniture can fall out during a move and cause damage. Wherever possible these should be removed and packed separately.
Doorknobs and handles can make stacking inefficient; they can cause damage or be damaged. Remove them and pack them separately remembering to label the packaging.
The smallest amount of food/grime deposits can cause mildew in the best of environments. All items should be as clean as possible before transport and storage.
Packing Furniture and large items
If the item will dismantle, dismantle it. But remember any screws or fixing systems that are left in place can cause problems. Flat pack the item and then bundle the components together for easy handling. Taking special care to protect the faces that are visible when the item has been reassembled. If you end up with more than one bundle for an item label them clearly not forgetting the screws and any smaller items. They will be important when reassembling.
Items that cannot be dismantled sometimes have parts that are meant to be removed for transport. Look carefully at the item, if there are any removable parts, remove them, pack them separately and label everything clearly.
Wooden Surfaces
If the wood is normally polished, clean it first and then give it a generous layer of polish or wax, this will help to protect the grane during long term storage.
Leather Surfaces
These should be cleaned according to the manufacturers instructions and a generous amount of polish applied.
Fridges and Freezers
These should be emptied and then cleaned with a soloution of warm water and bicarbonate of soda.
Microwave ovens
The microwave should be cleaned with a soloution of warm water and bicarbonate of soda taking extra care not to allow any water to contact electrical parts. Do not use the microwave until completely dry or better still until after the move.
Metal Items
All metal items should be cleaned, carefully dried and a good purpose made wax or WD40 will help to keep the metal in good condition during transportation and storage.
Materials such as upholstery should be washed and dried thoroughly before packing.
Ovens should be thoroughly cleaned out in the normal way and then run at full capacity for approximately 15 minutes to allow the oven to dry out.
Electric Toasters
Great care should be taken to remove all the breadcrumbs from the toaster. Always refer to the manufacturers instructions, and always remove the plug from the socket before cleaning.
Food
Many storage facilities will not allow the storing of food. Check with the facility. Storage in Loughborough Ltd will only allow food in tins. Pack your food in separate boxes, storable in one box non-storable in another. Always label clearly.
Non-Food bottled items
A leaking bottle of bleach or cleaner can devastate other stored items, check very carefully all bottled items to ensure they do not leak. It is often more cost effective to discard suspect bottles than run the risk of contaminating your goods.
Packaging Check List
Boxes
Archive Boxes are ideal for books and all types of paperwork. Specifically made to take up to A4 size paper. General paperwork is of A4 size.
Single Wall Boxes are flimsey therefore have limited use.
Double Wall Boxes are good general purpose boxes and are available in many sizes.
Wardrobe Boxes these are ideal for clothes you do not want to crush into a case or box, they can also be used as a temporary wardrobe after moving. When laid flat they can be used as a chest for blankets, sheets, pillows etc.
Bubble Wrap
This is available in many widths and bubble sizes. It is ideal for packing china and delicate items to reduce problems and damage caused by impact and transportation friction.
Bubble Wrap Bags
These are available in various sizes, a simple soloution to packing many different singular items eg: pictures, plates photograph frames etc.
Polystyrene Loose Fill
This is ideal for those special items providing a very secure form of packaging.
Acid Free tissue paper
This material will not bleed colour or stick to very delicate items such as rare photographs, and procalain figures. It should be used as an addition to bubble wrap.
Packaging Tape
A good quality tape is not to be underestimated. Tape dispensers are available for ease of use.
Fragile Tape/Labels
These are essential to highlight delicate items and
This way up labels
If it is important to keep a box right side up then these labels are an essential part of any packaging.
Sofa/Chair covers
These covers are similar to those used by the manufacturers to keep your furniture clean and free from dust. They can also be an essential tool when decorating.
Mattress Covers
As above they will keep your mattresses free from dust while being transported or stored.
Pallet Wrap
Pallet wrap is not dissimilar to cling film of an industrial grade and it’s uses are very underestimated within the packaging and removals industry. A roll of pallet wrap can be extremely useful for basic protection of furniture, stopping doors and drawers from opening during movement.
It can be used for strengthening boxes and bags, or just simply holding things together. Bubble wrap the item first then pallet wrap it. This gives an excellent form of protection.
Conclusion
The cost of packaging materials can vary dramatically, shop around for the best deals available.
But ensure you are looking at like for like. A box is not just a box! Poor quality boxes can be cheap but test the quality against the price. Bubble wrap prices will vary considerably look carefully at what is on offer and be sure that the “Tin says what it does”
Disclaimer
All of the foregoing is impartial advice. Storage in Loughborough Ltd will not be held responsible in any way for any consequences of actions following the above advice.
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