Month: March 2021

Glassware is fragile, so packing glassware is one of the most labor-intensive moving tasks of your residential move. While packing glassware does take some time, your glassware will arrive at your new home just as fresh as when it left your old one if done correctly.

Here are some steps to successfully packing your glassware:

Gather Materials

You’ll need:

• Boxes. If possible, obtain a cell box, which places dividers between each glass, from your moving company.
• Packing material such as blankets, towels, socks, packing paper, newspapers, or bubble wrap. Keep in mind, however, that bubble wrap is expensive and hard to recycle. Newsprint sometimes bleeds onto items; packing paper does not. You may be able to obtain free packing paper from your mover or The Freecycle Network, or Craig’s list.
• Packing tape
• Marker

Line the Box

Use blankets, towels, crumpled packing paper, or other soft materials to line the entire box — top, bottom, and sides. This protects your glassware from every angle.

Wrap

Wrap each glass individually in packing paper. For each glass, start by putting the packing paper inside the glass. Then fold both sides up and around the edges. As you roll, tuck the sides in.

Bubble wrap can stick to glass and break it. If you use bubble wrap, use packing paper, and then add a bubble wrap layer for extra protection.

Double wrap each piece, regardless of what type of packing material you are using. If you are wrapping wine glasses, remember to wrap the stems first. Pack wine glasses last so that they are closest to the soft material packed at the top of the box.

Pack

Place each glass or piece of stemware into its cell in the cell box. Fill any empty space with crumpled packing paper or socks or air pillows. Pack the box about three inches from the top and fill it with these soft packing materials until closing the box is difficult. This helps prevent breakage if something is placed on top of the boxes.

Tape

Shake the box gently to be sure the contents don’t shift or that you don’t hear glasses linking. Once you’re satisfied, tape the box shut. Use the marker to label the box’s contents and indicate which room it should go to at the new house. Be sure to also write “Fragile” on the box in large letters.

Packing Bowls and Dishes

To pack dishes safely, line the boxes in the same way you lined the glasses boxes. Group plates by size, then wrap each dish in paper or other soft material and place each into the box on its side. Avoid stacking them if you can, as stacking could cause crushing damage.

Do the same with bowls. Stuff any spaces in the box with soft items until closing it is difficult. Then seal with tape, label, and mark “Fragile.”

If You Need Help

As a full-service mover, we can provide boxes and packing materials. We also can pack glassware, dishes, and other items for you, saving you time and worry. The cost is often less than you think. Give us a call today.

When you face a move from your current home to a new place, you face the enormous task of getting all your belongings from point A to point B. Bringing in professional movers for help is always a good decision. The pros can step in and do the heavy lifting for you by loading and hauling your belongings where they need to go. However, certain items may not be safe to transport in a moving truck.

Here are just some of the items that are prohibited.

1. Live Animals or Pets

Most moving companies will not handle live animals or pets. While you may already anticipate that you will have to transport your usual pets like a cat or a dog, you may find it surprising that some movers will also not handle things like live fish, birds, or reptiles. In general, pets can pose risks to the other items being moved, but pets and other live animals can also be prone to injury during transport.

2. Corrosive Materials

In general, a product is considered corrosive if it will deteriorate surfaces or the skin. Corrosive materials can pose risks to the rest of your belongings when placed on a moving truck, but they can also pose a risk to the movers who may be handling these products. A few examples of corrosive materials you may find around your home include:

• Rust removal products
• Bleach
• Oven cleaner
• Drain cleaner
• Lead-acid batteries
• Paint stripper

3. Combustible or Flammable Items

Combustibles and flammables are products that can either explode or catch on fire when exposed to specific environments or agents. In general, professional movers do not handle these items because they can pose such a risk. For example, the enclosed trailer of a moving truck is not ordinarily climate-controlled. Therefore, the excessive heat inside the trailer in the summer could mean an explosive butane cylinder would be at risk of exploding. Propane cylinders, cans of gasoline or diesel, aerosol cans, and even tiki torch fuel are examples of prohibited items.

4. Live Plants

Live plants do not necessarily pose any risks, but most moving companies do prohibit the transport of live plants for a few reasons:

• Live plants can topple and cause damage to your other belongings
• Live plants may not be legal to transport across state lines
• Live plants can be sensitive to damage during transport

5. Personal or Sentimental Items

You should keep sentimental or personally vital items with you during your move. Moving companies won’t transport these items. 

Professional movers should not move things like keepsakes, expensive jewelry, family heirlooms, coin collections, and other valuables. Whether the things in question are valuable art pieces, cherished family photos, lovely jewelry, or other precious items, plan to move these valued items carefully on your own

Talk to Your Mover

As you prepare for moving day, make sure you take care of the personal belongings the pros may not. Be sure to get a complete list of non-allowable items from your moving company in advance to avoid any issues on moving day. 

Getting ready to move and still need a moving company? Reach out to us to get a free quote for your move today.