Pots and Pans:

Wrap pots and pans in packing paper before placing them into 3.1 or 4.5 size moving boxes. If the packing paper is not large enough to properly cover the piece, overlap two or three sheets of paper. When possible, "nest" pots and pans together to efficiently utilize space. Lids should be wrapped in paper, and packed in the same boxes as the pots and pans they belong to.

Food:

Non-perishables can be boxed in 1.5's or 3.1 cubic foot sized moving boxes. Pack boxes right to the top to reduce shifting and to prevent collapsing of the box. Make sure all box and bottle tops are secured before packing them upright. If a top is loose, secure it with packing tape or reconsider packing it - it is never worth risking damage to multiple boxes due to one leak!

Generally, there is no need to wrap food boxes or plastic bottles in packing paper. Crumpled paper can be used to prevent shifting inside a packed box.

Perishables from the refrigerator should be placed in a cooler on the day of the move.

Wine:

Use the 1.5 cubic foot box to pack wine. Like all other "fragile" boxes, cushion the bottom of the box with bumpers. Wrap each bottle of wine in several pieces of packing paper and lay it on its side in the box, perpendicular to the direction of the bumpers. Placing the bottle on its side prevents the cork from drying out, especially if your wine remains in the packing boxes for a while in your new home.

Dishes, Plates, Glasses and Fine China:

Use a "dish pack / china barrel" for china and other fragile items. The dish pack box is a double-wall box; all other boxes have single-wall construction. Multiples of similar plates, saucers and bowls can be wrapped together in one bundle. Use the paper-plate- paper method to wrap 3, 4 or 5 dishes together. Wrap the complete bundle tightly in newsprint; then tape it closed. This keeps it from unwrapping. Plates, bowls, platters and other flat items should always be packed vertically on end to prevent breakage in the event a box is dropped or jarred. Never place these items horizontally in a moving box.

The first or bottom tier of the dish pack should be comprised of heavier items such as large plates and platters. The second tier can include bread plates, saucers and soup bowls. The top tier should be reserved for glasses, cups or stemware. "Bumpers" must be placed above and below each tier.

Glasses and Stemware:

For a glass or a piece of stemware, initially wrap each piece loosely in a sheet of packing paper. Then, wrap the item more tightly in a second sheet. Glasses and stemware should always be positioned on their base in the dish pack. For a glass vase or pitcher, stuff some crumpled paper inside the item to provide support to its sides. Pack the piece in bubblewrap or packing paper and position it within the top or second layer of the dishpack. Before sealing the moving box, put a layer of cushioning material on top of the glasses. However, be aware of overdoing the cushioning on the top of a box that contains extremely delicate stemware. The extra "protection" on the top of this type of a box may actually press down too much into the box, placing unnecessary and excessive pressure on top of the stemware.

Do not be afraid to use extra paper when wrapping an item! Paper may seem expensive, but it is less expensive than replacing your fragile belongings!

Be sure to keep the tops and bottoms of pieces such as ceramic cookie jars or teapots together in the same bundle. If there is the possibility of an item being damaged, wrap them separately but pack them in the same box.