Packing yourself
A very important aspect, if not the most important, of any move is the packing. A proper packing of your goods will prevent a lot of damage and will help make the loading into container or (moving) van a lot easier.
If you decide to pack your things yourself, we are happy to give you some very useful tips.
For the type of boxes we refer to the section "Packing Materials".
- Glassware: In a book box (size 2), make a good springy base using +/- 10 balls of packing paper.
Lightly wrap the glasses in 2 sheets of paper. Put the glasses upright in the box and then top them up with, for example, Tupperware or other light items. Top up the box with balls of paper to prevent the contents from moving around. For expensive crystal glasses, you can also use the special glassware box with separate compartments. But do wrap all glasses lightly in paper before placing them in the separate compartments.
- Plates: In a book box (size 2), make a good springy base using +/- 10 balls of packing paper. Pack three plates at a time in 3 sheets of paper and make sure there is paper between each plate. Put the plates upright in the box and then top them up with, for example, Tupperware or other light items. Top up the box with balls of paper to prevent the contents from moving around. For more expensive tableware, we can also supply you with bullet paper that you can use as extra protection between the plates.
- Books: Use a book box (size 2). Lay the books flat in the box with the hard covers against each other. Fill the box to 60% and top off with linen or other light materials. This will save you and/or our employees from straining their backs.
- Wine: Use the special wine box with separate compartments.
- Mattresses: For the mattresses, special mattress boxes are available. These are suitable for single and double mattresses. There is also a special size available for king-size mattresses.
- Connecting parts/cables: For parts of dismantled items of furniture, use the conspicuously colored small-parts box. This box is also suitable for keys/remote control units and cables belonging to your costly audio equipment!
- Lampshades: dismantle the top from the base and always pack lampshades separately in a box.
- Hanging clothing: for hanging clothing, there is a wardrobe box available. To make sure that your expensive clothes are not damaged, do not add any other items.
- Linen/sweaters/shirts/jeans: use a miscellaneous box (size 4) and fill the box up to the top.
- Audio and video equipment: if possible, use the original box. If you no longer have the original box, follow these instructions: in a book box (size 2), make a good springy base using +/- 10 balls of packing paper and pack the loose parts first in a soft foam. Fill up the remaining space with paper so that the items cannot shift around. Before packing, note the serial number on the side of the box. This is for insurance and Customs purposes, where relevant.
- Plasma TV: if possible, use the original box. If you no longer have the original box, follow these instructions: place a layer of foam in a box to prevent the screen from being scratched. Then add a layer of bubble wrap and finish off with cardboard. Our movers can help you with this. Before packing, note the serial number on the side of the box. This is for insurance and Customs purposes, where relevant.
- Clocks: remove the pendulum from the clock and pack it in the small-parts box, for example.
- Food and flammable goods: it’s better if you don’t pack tins and boxes that have already been opened. This is to prevent mould. Flammable and explosive goods may not be packed and should be taken as hand luggage. Note that most deodorants are also flammable, so please always read the instructions on the packaging.
- Open bottles: do not pack open bottles as they can spill and cause damage to other goods.
To summarise:
- Rather use too much paper than too little
- Place heavy items on the bottom and light items on top
- Work from large to small
- Never leave anything sticking out over the edge; instead, leave 2 cm room under the edge and top up the box with paper
- Clearly indicate on the box that it contains fragile goods
- Keep the boxes with fragiles together
- Put a sticker on on the side of the box, describing the contents and the location