Good Packing is the key to a successful move.

Knowing this, many families and businesses choose to take advantage of Holguin Moving professional packing services in order to ensure the safety of their possessions.

However, you may choose to do all of your own packing, in which case, you will need to pay close attention to this Guide. The most important thing is that all of your possessions are transported in the best possible way. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Holguin Moving

We're here to help you with all aspects of your move.


1. Plan Ahead
  • Plan to start packing at least 2 weeks in advance and plan to be finished on the day before the move. Begin by packing your out-of-season items; then, go on to your seldom used and strictly decorative items, saving those items you need on a daily basis for last-day packing.
  • Make sure that you designate a particular box to be loaded onto the truck last so that it can be unloaded first. This box should contain such items as cleaning aids, scouring pads, hand tools, paper towels, bathroom tissue, plastic wraps and bags, and shelf paper. Having these things handy right away will be helpful when you arrive at your new home.

 

2. What Not To Pack
  • Because of insurance requirements: we recommend that you do not pack money, jewelry, stamp collections, firearms collections, or any other valuables. Keep these items in your possession.
  • Some items absolutely cannot be packed, these include: all types of aerosol cans and flammable or potentially hazardous materials, such as paint thinner, paint, or any other volatile materials which can explode in a hot truck.
  • Gasoline engines should be drained of all gasoline well before move day. This includes lawnmowers, rototillers, gas edgers, chainsaws, and other such items.
  • Do not pack perishables that will spoil. If you plan to put your belongings into storage only canned foods can be stored under no circumstances can any other food stuff be stored.

Remember: "If It Can Burn Or Grow, It Can't Go."
  (plants are OK on local moves)

 

A Word About Refrigerators
  • If you plan to put your refrigerator or freezer in storage, you should put an open box of baking soda inside to absorb odors. This enables your appliance to come out of storage fresh and ready to be used.
  • You may transport frozen items in your freezer if you are moving locally. The freezer , if unopened, will usually keep your perishables frozen for up to one and one half days. If your freezer is going to be out of service longer than that, it must be emptied, washed out, and dried.
  • On local moves you can leave nonbreakable freezer items in freezer section of the refrigerator. Everything else in the regular part of the refrigerator must come out. And don't forget to remove the eggs from the shelves.

3. Packing Materials

It is important to use the right materials when packing. everything you need can be purchased directly from Holguin Moving

 

4. Choosing the Right Carton
Rules of Thumb:
  • Let the piece tell you what carton it needs.
  • The heavier the item, the smaller the carton.
  • Keep fragile items with fragile items; sturdy items with sturdy items.
  • Clothing in dresser drawers need not be packed in boxes. Do not use dresser drawers to pack, but everyday clothing may remain.
  • Desk drawers must be emptied and packed in boxes.
  • Filing cabinets may remain full. If they are lockable, please lock them.
Available Carton Sizes:


Dish Pack

18"x 18" x 27"

For plates, bowls, glasses and glassware, casserole dishes, dinnerware, crystal, fine china, and lamps.

Includes:
2 - seperators,
1- 14" cell pack
2 - 7" cell pack

Book Carton

1.5 cu. ft.
16"x 12"x 12"

 For books and other heavy items, such as magazines, canned goods, record albums, trophies.


Medium Carton

3.0 cu. ft.
18"x 18"x 16"

 For non-breakables, such as utensils, foil and plastic wraps, pots and pans, toys, purses, garden supplies, and stereo components, if wrapped correctly (use packing paper or paper pads).

Medium/Large Carton

4.5 cu. ft.
18"x 18"x 24"

 For light, very bulky pieces, such as linens, towels, pillows, lampshades, and Tupperware.

Large Carton

6.0 cu. ft.
22"x 22"x 21"

 For light, very bulky items, such as toys, blankets, and pillows



2 pc Mirror/Picture Universal Carton

3'x 5'

 For mirrors and framed pictures (in various sizes). Best if used with paper pads and packing paper.

2 pc Lg. Picture/Mirror Universal Carton

 For large mirrors and framed pictures. Best if used wit paper pads and packing paper

Lamp Base

 For lamps, garden tools, and long tall items. Use with packing paper and paper pads when packing lamps.


Wardrobe Carton w/hanger bar

20"x 20"x 45.75"

 For hanging clothes, draperies, and hard-to-pack, oversized items, such as flower arrangements, small fragile chairs, hanging plants, statues, etc.. Wardrobe cartons are tailor made to eliminate the need to iron or clean your hanging clothes after the move.

 

5. Wrapping Techniques
If something can break or if it can break something else, it must be wrapped. That includes just about everything in the house. Some exceptions would be books, canned goods, linens, magazines and record albums.

Roll Wrap

View Example

For rounded pieces, such as glasses and vases. Place the item on a few pieces of packing paper, laying down, diagonally to the corner. Pick up the near corner, and roll the item in the paper away from you. When the item is covered, fold in the two sides toward the middle and keep rolling.

Flip Wrap

View Example

For flat items, such as plates and small pictures. This technique is done the same way as the Roll Wrap above.

Multiple Wrap

View Example

For wrapping more than one item together, such as utensils. Place the first item on the paper like the Roll Wrap. Lift the corner of the packing paper and cover it, then put the next item on top of that one and roll to cover it. Continue until the sheet of packing paper runs out.

Nest Wrap

View Example

For items such as bowls and plates which are made to nest one inside another. Use a seperate sheet of packing paper or bubble wrap between each one, and do not nest more than four items together.
Note: When wrapping use one to four pieces of unprinted packing paper per item depending on how fragile the item is.
Tip:  
  Notice that packing boxes come with little tabs hooking the flaps of the box together on one side. This is designed to help the top of the box to remain open while you pack. To properly take advantage of this feature start with the box still flattened down, then fold the top flaps first then open up the carton. Turn the carton over and tape the bottom seams securely. Try not to break the tabs until it is time to close the box. These tabs will keep the box flaps out of your way as you pack.
Important:
  Use two to five strips of tape to seal the box. The number of strips of tape on the bottom of the box is determined by the weight you are going to put in that particular box. The greater the weight, the more strips across the bottom. Don't be shy about using tape. It is better to use an extra strip of tape than to have your belongings damaged because the bottom of the box fell out, or to have the mover repack what you already spent your valuable time packing because the box is not stable enough to be moved.
When putting the wrapped item into the cartons, remember these four rules:
  1. Heavy on the bottom, light on top.
  2. In most cases, no carton should weigh more than 50 pounds.
  3. Pack items on edges for vertical strength (especially plates and bowls).
  4. Create levels in the carton: To create levels, pack items of about the same size and height on each level so you have a flat surface for the next level. You may wish to separate levels with newsprint of cardboard.

6. Finishing The Carton
  • Empty places in any layer of a carton should be filled with crumpled packing paper or towels to avoid movement of the pieces. Do not jam any items into place, or try to force fit anything.
  • A well-packed carton does not bulge at the top or the sides, but is filled completely so it does not crush when other cartons are stacked on top of it.
  • The top flaps on every box should be taped down securely; run the tape over the middle seam at least twice.
  • Label your carton in the upper corners on all sides and ends. If you label cartons on the tops, your mover will have to unstack and restack every carton to see what room they go in. By reading labels on sides of your cartons, your mover can speedily deposit them in their proper places.
  • Keep items from the same room together, and print on the outside of the carton which room it came from and a brief list of the contents. Use brief codes like "K" for kitchen, "O" for office, "MB" for master bedroom. Also print any special directions, such as "Fragile", "Do Not Tip", and"Load Last" on the carton.
  • Stack cartons in the same room in which they were packed.
Packing takes quite a bit of time and effort, but slow and careful work is the only way to ensure the safety of your possessions. If you are unsure on how to pack certain items such as pictures, fine china, crystal, stereos or computers and/or if you run out of time or need some last minute help with packing, please feel free to contact Holguin Moving
With over 23 years of experience our staff can answer any of your packing or moving questions.
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