Florida Van Lines Packing

Careful packing is one of the most important aspects of your move. Well-packed household goods stand little chance of being damaged. Also, Packing room by room can help to make unpacking and storage much less of a chore.

Whether you have Florida Van Lines do the packing or you do it yourself depends upon your circumstances. Some people simply do not have the time to devote to what can be an intimidating task. In such cases, Florida Van Lines provides the finest in safe and professional packing services. But for families on a budget, self-packing can mean considerable savings.

Even if you choose to do the packing yourself, you might still consider having Florida Van Lines pack the more delicate or fragile items - items such as dishes, crystals, lamps etc. You enjoy the security of having these more costly items professionally packed while reducing your costs by doing the bulk of the job yourself.

All of these professional moving cartons may be purchased from your local Florida Van Lines Agent. You also may be able to obtain cartons from your local grocery store. However, grocers usually slit cartons open along the sides instead of at the seams making them unusable for any packing. In ay case, be certain the cartons you use are adequate size and strength.

Movers use either a plastic tape called "PVC" (approximately 1-1/2 inches wide) or "strapping tape". For best results, make a shallow "X" over the long seams with the tape extending four inches over the side of the carton.

The most important aspect of packing is good wrapping and cushioning material. NEVER USE NEWSPAPERS ! Newspaper ink has a tendency to rub off on everything it touches and can be almost impossible to remove from items like fine china. Professional packers like Florida Van Lines use "newsprint" (un printed newspaper) as cushioning material. You can get newsprint from you local Florida Van Lines agent or, in many instances from you local newspaper. The amount of newsprint you use depends on items being packed. Obviously, towels or sheets in a carton requires no packing material at all. For dishes or fragile items, a layer of crumpled paper should be used to line the bottom of the carton to a depth of approximately four inches. Each item should be individually wrapped with crushed paper between items as needed.

Plates, Saucers, Flat China: Wrap individually and then bundle three or four together. Stand on end in carton. Never lay flat. Use the large 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 edge in carton with bottom facing up.
Cups and Glasses: Like bowls, cups and glasses should go on top, rim down and individually wrapped.	Glassware and Crystal: Always individually wrap as top layer. *Never put one piece inside another.* If items are particularly fragile, pack first in smaller carton, then in large one with cushioning all around.
Books: Pack upright with open edges and bound ends alternating. If any have fragile covers, wrap in paper.	Clothing: Hanging items should go into wardrobe cartons. Clothing may stay in dressers if dressers are sturdy. All other folded clothing should be packed in medium (3.0 cu ft) cartons.
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.	Hats: If in hat box, pack in larger carton. IF not, loosely stuff with crushed paper and pack in smallest carton either alone or with other hats.
Lamps: Lamp bases should be wrapped, cushioned and packed in dish-pack cartons. Lampshades should be packed singularly in appropriate sized carton. Be careful not to put too much paper in lampshade carton as they dent easily. Cushion loosely.	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 we cannot accept responsibility
Stereos, Radios, etc: 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.	Mirrors, Marble Tops, Glass Tops, Pictures: All mirrors, pictures, marble or glass tops should be packed in picture or mirror cartons, unless they are very small. The small items may be wrapped and packed in dish-pack cartons on edge. Very large marble or glass tops should be crated by professional packers. Their weight makes them impractical to be moved by carton.

Use a heavy marker pen for easy reading. On carton top, list major items such as "GOOD CHINA" or "CRYSTAL". On carton side near the top, mark which room carton goes into. IF carton contains fragile items, mark "FRAGILE" on all four sides. On cartons, containing fragile items or liquids, mark "THIS END UP" on carton top and put arrows pointing up on all four sides.

All stocks, bonds, currency, jewelry, furs, stamps, coins, securities, negotiable securities, insurance policies, and valuable papers should not be packed for transit in the van. Either transport these items yourself or make arrangements with your banker for their transfer.

Remember that all of your possessions are being loaded into the van and, by law, movers may not accept hazardous materials for shipment.

For your protection, Florida Van Line drivers are required to inspect each carton tendered for shipment. Any improperly packed cartons must be repacked by the mover (which adds to the cost of your move) or by you. To avoid delay, use the guidelines listed above. If you have any questions at all, be sure to ask your local Florida Van Lines Agent. He has all the answers !!