Throw away all hazardous items such as paint, half opened bottles of bleach, etc. Remember you could be loading these alongside your linen ware.  Many decorating and cleaning liquids can be hazardous and not allowed for transport.

Use generous amounts of paper inside the carton on the top and bottom to provide good cushioning and stop items moving about after you seal the carton.

• List the contents and room you are packing on the top and each side of the carton.  If you are shipping overseas, you will need also to NUMBER the item and prepare an inventory for customs and insurance purposes.   Mark clearly and legibly.
• If something is breakable, mark it  FRAGILE!  Use clean paper.  With old newspapers the ink may rub off onto your items. Clean “newsprint” paper is available from our Box Shop.
• Always have a 'Bits Box' containing all the items that you will need first in each room or area.  Such things as keys, screws, allen keys should all be kept together in the appropriate 'Bits Box' and anything required straightaway (like the kettle!)
• Pack Fragile and china items separately  from general goods.
• Pack all cartons tightly, filling all voids with news print paper or flow-pack materials..
• Use good quality packing tape - we sell carton sealing tape which is ideal, or your local stationers will supply the right quality tape.

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China ware

Carefully wrap china in sheets of clean newsprint paper or bubble wrap for larger items of a more delicate nature. Scrunch some old newspaper up and make a soft layer in the bottom of a carton at least 5cms deep.  this will give cushioning underneath your items.  Using old news papers for this helps (as it is visibly different from the clean white paper used to wrap the dishes - this helps when unpacking).  Wrap each piece individually then wrap up to three plates or saucers in a bundle with a double layer of paper. Place these bundled items in the carton in a row on edge.  Any larger items can be placed alongside with plenty of void fill material.

Add 5 cms or more of crushed paper on top of the wrapped items to protect rims and make a level base for the next tier. Horizontal cardboard dividers can be helpful in keeping layers level.  Use plenty of paper or void fill material.  Seal the box.  If you lift it and something chinks, then you've probably not packed enough paper in the box - or you've placed a heavy item on top and it's crushed the lower layers. mark the box FRAGILE!

Stem glasses should be wrapped with protective paper inserted around the stem and inside the glass.  Each glass is cushioned by a thick wrapping and placed stem up in a specially tiered carton which is available from our Box shop.  or you can use a wine box with the dividers.

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General ware

Soft goods like pillows and bedding are packed in 'lay flat' lined cartons separated by layers of clean paper.  Pack shoes in their original shoebox, if possible, and place in a carton. If shoeboxes are not available, individually wrap them in white paper.  Hanging clothes are left on hangers and can be hung in special wardrobe cartons - or folded and placed in the 'lay flat' linen cartons.

Lampshades can be nested inside each other, as long as they are separated by paper.  Do not pack any heavy items with shades or lamps.

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Electronic Goods / TV's

If possible, pack electronics in their original cartons. As long as proper packing materials are used (bubble wrap, newsprint, foam pack, blankets, pillows, etc.), electronics can be safely packed in sturdy boxes, so long as they can be lifted.  When unpacking electronics, allow them to reach room temperature before plugging in.

For large TV's such as plasma or LCD, it's important to use a sturdy double wall cardboard or better still a piece of plywood to place in front of the screen area after packing.  Put in bubble wrap and cardboard material.

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Books

Don't use a large carton for books.  Not only will the bottom fall out when you try to lift it, you'll probably get a hernia!  We suggest a box similar in size to that sold in our Box Shop as the most appropriate.

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Bottles

All bottles should be sealed.  Make sue the contents are not hazardous or contravene a shipping regulation before packing. Place inside plastic carrier bags before wrapping (in case of an accident and the bottle contents seep through the cartons onto other objects).

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Mirror & Pictures

Wrap the picture or mirror in a generous cushion of clean paper, corrugated cardboard or bubble wrap. Place in a flattened packing or telescoping carton. Carefully tape and seal the carton. Always stand glass, pictures and mirrors on their edge, preferably loaded between the bed base  and mattresses on end. Do not lay pictures or mirrors flat.

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Computers

If possible, pack computers in their original cartons. As long as proper packing materials are used (bubble wrap, newsprint, foam pack, blankets, pillows, etc.), computers can be safely packed in sturdy boxes.  Pack the CPU in the bottom of the carton with other items on top, such as keyboard, speakers, etc. or alongside (such as the monitor).  The Box Shop has the ideal size carton for a normal computer terminal.