aaa       Click Belows   1. Pro Packing Tips 2. Packing Small Appliances 3. Packing Large Applices 4. Packing Armoires 5. Artwork & Mirrors 6. Packing Beds 7. Packing Books 8. Packing Bureaus 9. Packing Music & CD's 10. Cars & Motorcycles 11. Packing Chairs 12.  Packing China and Crystal 13.  Packing Clothes 14.  Packing Collectibles 15.  Packing Computers 16.  Packing Flammable Items 17.  Packing Kids' Stuff 18.  Packing Breakable Kitchen Items 19.  Packing Non-Breakable Kitchen Items 20.  Packing Lamps 21.  Packing Lawnmowers and Lawn Tools 22.  Lawn Furniture 23.  Packing Stereo Components 24.  Packing Big-Screen TV 25.  Packing A Less than 30" TV         aa  Pro Packing tips 1. You can pack most of the items on your own with simple materials like tape, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, and boxes.  Leave the furniture, mattresses, and heavy appliances to be packed by the mover.   2. Smaller boxes should be used for heavier items like books or cd’s.  Keep the weight of the box under 50lbs and remember to always lift with your knees, not your back.   3. You should never let the movers pack your jewelry, family heirlooms, or other priceless items. Should they be lost or damaged, the insurable value will not come anywhere near the value you would place on them.   4. Put the appliances in and pad them well all around with packing material.   5. Get the proper boxes for your items - the right sizes and strengths. Have enough wardrobe boxes, as they'll save you ironing time later.  Purchase the padded dish boxes with dividers to protect your fine china.   6. The mover will advise you on whether the boxes need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.  Professional moving companies use only sturdy and reinforced cartons.  Free boxes from the supermarkets are more susceptible to causing damage to your valuables in transit. Keep in mind that movers are not liable for items they didn't pack.   7. To protect themselves, movers will not disconnect your major appliances. Before the movers arrive to pack and load, unplug and prep your refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, washer and dryer. Also prep your computer and back-up your important files.   8. Movers will not transport living things such as your plants or pets. If you do not wish to give them away, don't forget to prepare them for the move. They will need a "plant/pet suitcase" of their own.   9. Movers will not transport or allow you pack hazardous materials. These items include: paint, thinners, solvents, oils, varnishes, firearms and ammunition, bottled gas, propane, lamp oil, anything flammable, explosive or corrosive, motor fuels and oils, nail polish remover, bleach and aerosol cans. Also note that spilled sesame oil leaves a terrible stench on nearby items.   10. Make the loading process easier and more organized by designating a room in your home/apartment, preferably the one closest to the door, in which to place all of your boxes.  This will help cut on the carrying time and make the move much more efficient.           aaa Packing Small Appliances 1. Group kitchen appliances, like blenders and toasters, or other small household appliances, like hand- held vacuums and telephones, two or three to a box. (Make sure they're clean)   2. Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped, and then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint (wadded up, not shredded) or your towels and sheets.   3. Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the tub to keep the tub from rotating.   4. Put the appliances in and pad them well all around with packing material.            aaa Packing Large Appliances We're talking washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and refrigerators - the big stuff! Before you pack any of it, read your users manual for each appliance to make sure there aren't more special moving preparations you'll need to make. Also consider servicing all your appliances a week or two before you move, if you haven't done it in a while.     A washing machine   • Do your best to drain all the water out of the washer. If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways to empty out any remaining water. Then dry the interior completely with a towel.   • Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in a plastic bag.   • Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the tub to keep the tub from rotating.   • Fill the basket with clothes, linens, and stuffed animals (that's rights, stuffed animals). Also include a box of baking soda (designed so you don't have to tear open the top of the box) to cut down on mildew.   • Tape the lid and electrical cord down   A dryer   • Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely roll the hose and place it in the dryer basket.   • Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door down.     A refrigerator     • One day before moving, empty out the contents of your refrigerator and allow it to defrost. (Eat what you can, then give the rest away to neighbors - never transport perishable food.)   • Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and drain out your automatic icemaker.   • Some refrigerators have "leveling rollers," which are wheels that raise and lower each corner of the refrigerator so it is even. Check your manual to see whether you should raise or lower them for the move.   • Wrap shelves (especially if they are glass) and tape them together. Tape down all other loose parts, including the drawers on the inside and the electrical cord and doors on the outside.     A stove   • Place all the oven racks on the bottom rung and tape them down.   • Tape down the burners and the protective pans under each burner.   • Tape the electrical cord and door to the stove (lock the door, if you can)     A dishwasher   • See your manual for removing and draining the water hook-up.   • Close and lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape the hose and cord to the dishwasher.     An air conditioner   • If your air conditioner's in use, shut if off the day before so the coils can dry and cool off.   • Remove and clean or replace the filter.   • Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not the back, where the coils are).   • Use the original box, if you have it, or another large appliance box well padded with wadded up newsprint. (Don't use Styrofoam peanuts, which could get inside the air conditioner and cause problems later.)           aaa Packing Armoires Armoires can be great for packing lightweight items like pillows, lamp shades, and even hanging clothes (if you use a tight tension rod inside). If you're going to pack a lamp shade, be sure to pad it all around with lots of lightly wadded up blank newsprint or bubble wrap.   You'll need:   1. Rope   2. Large padding or old blankets       How to pack:   1. Remove all the contents from the shelves. Don't try to ship your CDs, TV, cards and games, or other loose items inside the armoire - they'll be jostled and probably damaged.   2. If you have drawers, you can keep some items inside if they're not too heavy. Wad up blank newsprint in the empty spaces and tape the drawers shut as it might ruin the finish.   3. If you like, fill in empty spaces with lightweight items, like pillows and lampshades (properly padded with lightly wadded up blank newsprint or bubble wrap.) Several lampshades can be stacked together with blank newsprint in between.   4. Close and lock your doors, if possible, or tie the handles together.           aaa Artwork & Mirrors How to pack:   Framed prints   1. Wrap them individually in newsprint and then tape cardboard around them. Or wrap them in bubble wrap.   2. Put them in flat fitted boxes. If they still fit loosely in their individual boxes, fill in the spaces with lightly wadded blank newsprint.   3. Tape the box shut and mark it. You're done!       Mirrors     1. Put tape across the front of the mirror like an "X" to keep the pieces in place in case the glass breaks.   2. Wrap in bubble wrap or blank newsprint with cardboard taped around them. Fill loose spaces with lightly wadded paper.   3. Put in a flat box, seal, and mark "Fragile - Mirror." That's all!       Original paintings   1. If your painting is framed with glass, tape the front like an "X" with masking tape.   2. Cover the framed painting or canvas with bubble wrap and tape it closed.   3. Build a box to fit that is slightly bigger than the painting, or purchase one. If you're packing a canvas (no frame, no glass), wrap the cardboard box in bubble wrap again, tape it, then build or buy a second box slightly bigger than the first. Double boxing is a guarantee against other sharp objects puncturing the box and canvas during the move.       Sculptures   1. You'll need a box at least one-third larger than the size of your sculpture and bubble wrap.   2. Fill one-third of the box with Styrofoam peanuts. Wrap the sculpture with bubble wrap, put it in upright, and then fill in all around and on top with peanuts. Your piece of art should be nestled in the center without touching the sides of the box.           aaa Packing Beds How to pack:   1. .Disassemble the bed frames and mark the pieces so you know where they go later. Tie or tape rails together.   2. Take all screws, bolts, nuts, etc. put in plastic bag and tape to rails.   3. If you have headboards or footboards, tie large pads around them.   4. Leave sheets on mattresses to protect them, or cover them with plastic mattress covers. You're done!       Waterbed Mattresses   • Drain all water from the waterbed. After doing this, grasp the internal baffle systems with external vinyl, and fold the mattresses 20 inches at a time.   • Be sure to adjust folds to avoid making creases across individual baffles.   • In addition, consult your owner's manual for special instructions concerning the care and transportation of your mattress.   • Do not place your mattress in a carton with a sharp or pointed objects.           aaa Packing Books How to pack:   1. Never pack more than 30 pounds of books in a box, unless you're a weight lifter by trade.   2. Fill in small spaces in each box with smaller paperbacks. Alternate bindings every few books to keep stacks level in each box.           aaa Packing Bureaus TIP: Don't leave bureau drawers completely full for the move - the bureau will be too heavy. Use suitcases to pack some clothing and other non-fragile items from your bureau drawers. How to pack:   1. Partially empty out drawers and fill spaces with small, fragile items like clocks or picture frames wrapped in loose clothing.   2. Don't put tape on the drawers - it could stick to the finish.           aaa Packing Music & CD's How to pack:   1. Pad the bottom of the box with wadded-up blank newsprint or Styrofoam peanuts.   2. Place a stack of CDs in the middle of the box. If your box is big enough and you don't have a lot of CDs, put your entire CD holder in the center - CDs and all. CDs can weigh a lot, so you'll probably have to divide them into several boxes.   3. Fill in tightly all around and on top with peanuts or wadded paper so the CDs won't jiggle.           aaa Cars & Motorcycles Cars and motorcycles that are shipped on the moving van should be completely drained of fuel. In addition, motorcycle batteries should be disconnected. Last but not least, be sure that there is an ample amount of antifreeze to protect your automobile against severe winter temperatures.           aaa Packing Chairs How to pack:   1. Wrap arms of chairs with blank newsprint or bubble wrap and tape.   2. Leave slipcovers on or cover with large flat sheets.   3. Next, cover the chair with furniture pads. Now you're done!           aaa Packing China and Crystal TIP: Don't use compartmentalized liquor boxes unless the compartments are made of sturdy cardboard and you put a layer of packing material on the bottom first. (Usually the compartments are too flimsy.) Glasses and cups should still be wrapped in bubble wrap. How to pack Plates and Bowls   1. Use dish barrel cartons and place all plates on edge in the containers.   2. Layer bubble wrap in between, leaving space at the top of the box to fill in with wadded newsprint.   3. Place wadded newsprint or peanuts in the bottom of a box and put layers of plates or bowls on top. Then fill in top and sides with peanuts or newsprint.       1. Wrap each glass or teacup in a piece of bubble wrap and tape it.   2. Put a layer of peanuts or newsprint on the bottom of the box. Place wrapped cups or glasses on top, upright as if you were placing them on the table.   3. Place a layer of cardboard and another layer of packing material on top and the sides.   4. Keep layering in wrapped cups and peanuts until you've reached the top. Put a final layer of packing material on top, seal, and mark "Fragile - Crystal/China." That's all!           aaa Packing Clothes How to pack:   1. Hang clothes from closets in wardrobe boxes. If the boxes still have some space, consider filling them with lightweight items like lamp shades covered in bubble wrap.   2. Pack some clothes from bureaus in boxes or suitcases so the bureaus won't be too heavy to move.   3. Consider using some clothes as packing material in between breakable items or to fill spaces in other boxes that contain items from bedrooms.           aaa Packing Collectibles How to pack: