The task of rounding up and packing away all of your earthly possessions is downright daunting. But you can save yourself time, effort and especially money with just a little bit of advance planning and organizing.

*Sort out those items you've "been meaning to get rid of" and do it!
*Dispose of any hazardous items such as cleaners, paint, solvents, ammunition, or aerosol cans in an appropriate manner - they can not be moved!
*Other items that should not go in the van are any type of personal valuable, i.e. cash, jewelry, important papers or furs. These things should go with you.
*Try to pack certain things together, for example, kitchen or bathroom items. If you know the layout of your new home, you can have the cartons labeled according to the room in which they'll be placed at destination.

ARPIN strongly advises you to use professional materials if you choose to do some of your own packing. On the other hand, when you use an ARPIN professional to take care of your packing, your time is free to worry about other things, or better yet - to just relax!

Take a few minutes to see how to handle the following items:

Plates, Saucers, Flat China:
Wrap individually and then bundle three or four together. Stand on end in carton. Never lay flat. Use the larger items as the bottom layer and place crumpled paper as cushioning between each layer.

Bowls:
Odd-shaped items and bowls, individually wrapped, should constitute the upper layers. Place on the rim in carton with bottom facing up.

Cups and Glasses:
Like bowls, cups and glasses should go on top, rim down and individually wrapped.

Books:
Pack upright with open edges and bound ends alternating. If any have fragile covers, wrap in paper.

Glassware and Crystal:
Always individually wrap as top layer. Never put one piece inside another. If items are particularly fragile, pack them first in a smaller carton, then in a larger one with cushioning all around.

Mirrors, Marble Tops, Glass Tops, Pictures:
All mirrors, pictures, marble or glass tops should be packed in picture-mirror cartons, unless they are very small. The small items may be wrapped and packed in dish-pack cartons on edge. Professional packers should crate very large marble or glass tops. Their weight makes them impractical to be moved in a carton.

Hats:
If a hat box, pack in a larger carton. If not, loosely stuff with crushed paper and pack in the smallest carton either alone or with other hats.

Food:
Boxed dry food should be packed in medium (3.0 cu. ft.) cartons with openings taped shut to prevent spillage. Jars or canned goods should be packed in book (1.5 cu. ft.) cartons with all jars wrapped and cushioned. Never pack or move perishable or frozen food.

Lamps:
Lamp bases should be wrapped, cushioned and packed in Dish-Pack cartons. Lamp shades should be packed singly in an appropriate sized carton. Be careful not to put too much paper in the lampshade carton as the lampshades dent easily. Cushion loosely. Remove light bulbs & wrap cords around base.

Flowers:
Dry flowers should be packed alone in appropriate sized carton loosely cushioned with paper. Live plants will probably not survive on a long distance move and mover cannot accept responsibility. Plants are not covered in the event of damage or breakage.

Electronics:
Components and small electronics should be well wrapped and cushioned in either medium (3.0 cu. ft.) or large (4.5 cu. ft.) cartons. Large console stereo and televisions should not be packed. They will be padded by driver and moved as furniture. Electronics are not covered in the event of damage or breakage.

Clothing:
Hanging items should go into wardrobe cartons. Clothing may stay in the dressers if the dressers are sturdy. All other folded clothing should be packed in medium (3.0 cu. ft.) cartons. For every 2ft. of closet bar you will need one wardrobe box.

Protection:
Blankets and pads are provided free of charge on moving day and are taken back at the end of the day. For fine finished wood furnishing and light colored fabrics, shrink wrap can be purchased. Ask your salesperson for details.

Remember - communication is key when planning a smooth-move!

GET A QUOTE >> or contact a relocation specialists at (678) 253-1149