TOP TEN PACKING TIPS

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PACKING A BOX

It's not rocket science and the easiest thing to do is watch our promo again.  Most of the basics are there and the rest is just common sense.  Don't over-load larger boxes. Use smaller boxes for books and delicate china.  BUT Try to fill the boxes!  Use cushions, towels and cuddly toys to fill and pad around delicate items.  A FULL BOX KEEPS ITS SHAPE AND STRENGTH WHEN STACKED ON THE VAN.
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PACKING A KITCHEN

This is the most difficult room to pack for obvious reasons.  A professional can pack a medium sized kitchen in about 3 hours and this is how we do it.  Firstly put aside your essential items that you need to use before your moving date... (E.G: plates, cutlery, and THE KETTLE!)  Clear a table or large flat surface and place a large wad of wrapping paper on it.  Place your empty box at a comfortable level close by.  Open up all of the cupboards and don't be afraid to mix and match.  A sheet of paper/plate and glass is usually sufficient and stack vertically.  If you get stressed have a cup of tea and watch the video on our home page again.  Don't be shy with the bubble wrap for fragile glass and China.  Use smaller boxes for fragile items and big boxes for lighter less fragile stuff.  Use Cushions and Towels to pad out your boxes.  Children's Soft Toys can also fill in annoying gaps.
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PACKING A BEDROOM

PACKING A WARDROBE.
HANGING CLOTHES BOXES.
Hanging wardrobe cartons are great.  They mean you can literally hang your shirts, suits, dresses and ball gowns straight in to a portable hanging wardrobe container.  They take minutes to assemble and we always have several on board.  We will usually pack and move these on your move day but if you have an excessive amount of hanging clothes we may provide them in advance, but will need to retrieve them on your move day as they are extortionately expensive.

HOW MANY HANGING WARDROBE CARTONS DO YOU NEED?
The current world record for hanging wardrobe cartons in the female category is 16 hanging wardrobe cartons.  The most a single man has ever required is 9 hanging wardrobe cartons.  Most people only need 2 or 3 hanging wardrobe cartons.

PACKING AND LOADING A CHEST OF DRAWERS
If you have a strong, modern chest of drawers full of clothes that isn't too overloaded we will probably be able to move it as is.  Otherwise we can take out the drawers, carry the frame down and then put the drawers back in once it's on the van.  There isn't much point in emptying folded clothes in to a box when they are essentially folded in a stronger box already.  This doesn't apply to antique chests of drawers which we would recommend emptying into boxes and will wrap in protective materials before moving.

PACKING BEDDING AND CURTAINS.
Our large hanging wardrobe cartons (slightly modified) are perfect for this purpose however bin bags are an equally effective method.
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MATTRESSES AND DISMANTLING BEDS

We have plastic mattress covers for situations where tainting may occur.  Some very large mattresses need to be strapped up just to fit down the stairs.  We also have all the tools you need to dismantle your average wooden or metal framed bed in 15 minutes and will assemble it equally efficiently.  But if you want to do this part yourself then all the better! And we'll cut down our loading time by half an hour.  Divan type beds split in two and are very easy to move but you will need to empty the drawers!
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PACKING YOUR PLASMA SCREEN TV AND COMPUTER

Still got the box you bought it in? Yes, good, use it. No, don't worry.  We'll wrap it in bubble and place it carefully on the van wrapped in blankets and tied safely to a mattress.

PACKING YOUR COMPUTER.
Don't be shy with the bubble wrap.  Again, cushions and cuddly toys will help insulate and fill awkward gaps.  Use a larger box if necessary and label accordingly.

LARGE MIRRORS AND GLASS TABLES will usually be loaded in between mattresses when-ever possible. Smaller pictures will be wrapped in blankets and placed in a special place on the van.
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LABELLING

Use a permanent marker and write on to the tape once you have taped up the box.  The room from where the contents have come and where they are to be delivered is usually sufficient info.
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TAPING UP A BOX

Don't be shy with the tape when packing books. Make sure the tape is smooth and try to tape the tape to the tape.
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PACKING THE GARDEN SHED

Packing the Garden is often tricky.  We have plastic crates that are ideal for dealing with dirty bits and pieces that have been rotting in the shed for decades.  Try to bundle tools into bunches and tape them up.  Plants are very difficult to stack in the van and take up a lot of room!  If you have more than 10 plant pots make sure we are aware!  A large shed/garage and a lot of plant pots will need another van.  They can be wet and dirty and you don't want them anywhere near your sofa or mattress.
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UNPACKING

Use a knife, Stanley or otherwise to carefully cut open the tape on the boxes.  This not only makes the boxes last longer, helps the environment and enables us to recycle our packing materials.  It more importantly prevents paper-cuts.  Put all the wrapping paper in to a bin bag.  Once your box is empty use your knife to cut the tape and flatten the box.
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HAVE A CUP OF TEA

Sit down in your new kitchen and have a cup of tea.