Moving and Packing Tips

Moving and Packing Tips to Make Your Move Easier

Moving Van Parking Permits in Chicago:

Click here for more information on parking permits for Chicago moves.

Air Conditioners:

Before moving, please consult the owner’s manual for any service instructions. Traditional, window air-conditioners can be removed from windows by our men. We cannot replace at new location for liability reasons.

Bedding:

Place bedding in clean cartons. Light articles such as blankets or pillows may be put into furniture drawers.

Beds:

Our movers will disassemble beds, wrap all components, package all hardware, and reassemble at the destination. We will wrap mattresses and box springs with shrink wrap for same day moves. For long distance moves or moves involving storage, we will use mattress cartons. There is a charge for packing material.

Books:

Books should be packed in small, strong, securely tied cartons (1.0 – 2.0 cubic feet ideal). They should be placed cover to cover, alternating bindings to prevent pages from becoming interlocked and damaged. Do not pack books in furniture drawers or leave them in portable bookshelves or bookcases.

BRIC A BRAC (small, unusual, ornamental objects valued for their antiquity, rarity, originality, or sentimental associations):

Wrap separately and pack in sturdy cartons (e.g. a dishpack box). Cushion well with packing paper. Pack largest and heaviest items in bottom of container. Do not pack over edge of container.

Canned Goods:

Pack upright in small, sturdy cartons. Do not pack beyond the limit of portability, not over 50 pounds to each container. Approximately 24 cans should be ample.

China / Glassware / Silverware:

Wrap china and all fragile objects in paper individually. Large plates and heavy pieces should be placed on the bottom of the container, on edge. Smaller plates, cups and saucers toward the top of the container. Plates and dishes should be placed in a vertical position with pads of paper in between. Recommended: 3″ of paper on the bottom of the barrel or carton and 2″ of paper in between layers. Do not pack above edge of container.
For silverware, use original containers or wrap in cloth, low sulfur-content paper or tissue and pack in boxes.

Clothing:

For a nominal charge, our men will move your clothing on hangers (i.e. wardrobe boxes, $6 rental charge), from the closets directly to wardrobes furnished by us. Wardrobes will hold approximately 25 hangers depending upon the size of garments. Your clothing will reach you clean and wrinkle-free. For storage, clothing should be cleaned. Small clothing articles pack nicely in suitcases, boxes or trunks.

Drawers: Empty or leave full?:

While we have no specific rule regarding whether or not drawers should be emptied, there are instances in which common sense would dictate when emptying should be done. For example, moves involving many flight of stairs, difficult points of egress or regress, or generally large and heavy furniture pieces should be empited (packed into cartons) before the movers arrive. Keep in mind, our men must be able to move all items quickly and carefully from the origin to the destination. The more manageable the pieces are, the better.

Articles such as blankets, cushions, pillows, and clothing may be left in drawers depending on the size of the furniture piece. Never leave liquids, breakables or firearms in drawers.

Dryers, Electric, or Gas:

Check with your service man. Motors may need to be checked and secured. We can arrange this for you or recommend
reliable service company.

Food:

No perishable foods, ever. Non-perishable, unopened containers can be transported when the pick-up and delivery occur within 48 hours.

The carrier will not be liable for damage caused by food spilling on other items.

Freezers:

These appliances must be completely defrosted one or two days prior to moving. They should be dried and aired to avoid musty odor. Safety of contents cannot be guaranteed so it is best to empty your freezer and plan meals that will use up perishable contents. Check with your service man to be sure the motor is bolted, if necessary.

Glass Tops to Fridge:

For complete safety, these items should be crated. This is a “must” when storing or shipping; for local moving however, they frequently can be removed and replaced by the mover who will pad them safely in the van.

Grandfather Clocks:

Remove chimes. Secure weight chains tightly against the base of the clock with wire or strong string and remove weights and pendulums. If it is going a long distance, call a reputable clock man to prepare the works against damages.

Jewelry:

Keep valuable jewelry in your immediate possession.

Kitchen Utensils:

Kitchen utensils should be clean and placed in cartons or barrels. Durable, heavy pieces placed on the bottom, light ones on the top with each piece padded against dents, chipping or scratching. Toasters, irons, waffle irons, mixers, etc., may be wrapped individually and placed in cartons with other kitchen utensils.

Lamps:

Remove ornamental tops and put in a safe place… one you will remember. Small lamps may be wrapped and placed in cartons for safe moving.

Lampshades:

Wrap in white, clean tissue paper only, place in cartons, mark “fragile.” Do not use newsprint. They may be nested but do not pack them so as to tear lining or puncture parchment shades.

Linens:

Table and bed linens should be put into strong cartons or trunks. They should be lined with tissue or clean white or brown paper to protect from dust. Do not use newsprint as a liner as the ink may soil the fabric.

Mirrors:

For storage or long distance moving, they must be crated for safe handling. Wall mirrors will be removed by the movers, if they are not fastened to the walls. Mirrors will not be installed on walls at the new residence. Mirror tops on furniture will be taken of and replaced at destination.

Mowers and Gasoline Powered Tools:

Gas tanks should be drained and oil reserves emptied. No flammable mixtures or articles may be transported on public carriers.

Paintings – Pictures:

Small pictures can be safely placed between the folds of blankets or pillows in drawers or cartons. Large and valuable pictures and paintings must be padded, wrapped and crated for moving.

Stereos:

Secure the tone arm and turntable against the movement by tying. Secure the changer to avoid its moving forward. On delicate, expensive players, it is wise to have this done by an experienced serviceman.

Records, Tapes, CD’s:

Pack records on end, side by side, to provide the greatest resistance to weight pressure. Use small cartons only.

Plants:

Golan’s will transport plants or small trees provided the pick-up and delivery occur within 48 hours. We cannot accept otherwise.

We recommend that you choose to move plants and small trees yourself when possible. Golan’s has no liability for plants, flowers, trees.

Refrigerators:

Defrost and thoroughly dry your refrigerator before moving. This is very important. The doors should be left open several hours to air after defrosting. All pans, trays, crispers, shelves or removable parts should be removed and wrapped separately. Have your refrigerator serviced. Motor may have to be bolted down before moving. Do not plug it in at the new home until it has been unbolted.

Rugs:

It is not necessary to remove rugs from floors. Our men will do this for you. They will be rolled to ovoid crushing. If they are to be stored, have them cleaned. Tacks should be removed from carpeting before movers arrive.

Stoves:

Must be disconnected prior to pickup. Be sure gas lines are shut off tight and capped, if possible. For electric ranges, if the coils are loose, they must be removed together with griddles, deep fryers and removable parts, then packed separately.

Television Sets:

Some sets require that they be checked before moving. Some color TV’s must be serviced before and after moving. Television antennas should be removed from roof tops and disassembled

Toilet Articles:

Seal the corks and stoppers of cosmetics, medicines and perfume bottles with natural nail polish, paraffin or masking tape before wrapping separately in paper and placing upright in cartons or metal waste containers.

Tools:

If they are valuable, wrap separately. Tools, as a rule, can be put into small cartons without wrapping individually.

Valuables / Jewelry:

Legal documents, all important papers, jewels and currency should be handled by you personally. Keep them in your immediate possession.

Washers, Dryers, Stoves and other Large Appliances:

We will move appliances after they are properly disconnected by you or appliance service representative. We recommend that proper pre-move service be performed or followed per owner’s manual instructions.
Gas, water, or electric connections cannot be touched by the moving company for liability purposes