Cross Town Movers

Here's a checklist to help you avoid trying to do everything at once. Post this checklist on your refrigerator so that you can use it as a moving action plan.

About Two Weeks Before Moving

* Stop by Cross Town Movers in advance of your move and purchase moving and packing materials.

* Get your car inspected and serviced.

* Contact utilities - water, gas oil, electricity, phone - about when to disconnect service and when and where to reconnect. (Many people request shutting off service for the day after a move, so they have use of the utilities the full day of their move.)

* Collect deposits from utilities.

* Contact your services to discontinue trash collection, newspaper delivery, cable television, insurance, ect.

* Get copies of important papers : medical, dental, eyeglass or contact lens records, prescriptions, pet immunization records, ...passports, marriage licenses, birth certificates, social security papers, ect. Keep copies separate from household goods or forward to your new address for security.

* Pick up change of address cards from the post office and notify magazines, charge accounts, etc. Arrange the date to have your mail forwarded.

One Week Before

* Reserve a baby-sitter for moving day.

* Pick up traveler's checks.

* Close out bank accounts and safe deposit boxes.

* Begin packing of cartons giving priority to nonessential items.

* Follow Cross Town Movers packing tips, in the next section, to help ensure your belongings are properly packed,

Small Appliances

Pack small appliances in original container or a Cross Town Mover carton cushioned with packing paper. ( Do not use shredded paper it can clog the appliance.)

Major Appliances

Check with the appliance dealer for any special moving instructions. For all large appliances, remove loose fittings and accessories and pack separately. Tie down, tape or wedge all movable parts and doors.

Gas Dryer

Have gas company disconnect.

Bicycles, Tricycles, Baby Carriages

Loosen, lower, and turn handlebars at right angles to save space. Clean and cover chains and pedals to protect other items from being snagged or soiled.

Washing Machines / Dishwashers

Stuff towels between machine sides and tub to keep from rotating. Pad exterior well. Disconnect hoses, put in plastic bag, and place in tub.

Clothes

Dresses, coats, suits anything hanging in the closet travel best in a special, reusable, Cross Town Movers wardrobe cartons, which can be used seasonally as "extra closets" for wardrobe storage. Other clothes can remain folded in their regular dresser drawers.

Refrigerator / Freezer

Defrost and dry interiors well. If you want to lay your refrigerator down for moving, check first with the local dealer to determine if your brand can be moved like this. If so, make sure refrigerator stands upright for at least 24 hours before plugging in.

Beds

If you are moving yourself disassemble the bed frame. Tie rails and crosspieces together with Cross Town Movers rope or tape. Be sure to mark on tape to show where pieces fit together for reassembly. Use Cross Town Movers mattress protection bags to keep mattress clean. Cross Town Movers is happy to disassemble and reassemble the bed for you. On a local or long distance move.

Books

They're heavy, so use small, sturdy Cross Town Movers cartons. Pack books flat, alternating binding, and fill empty spaces with Cross Town Movers packing paper.

Curtain Rod Hardware

Put them in a plastic bag and tape to rod or pack in dresser drawers.

Mirrors

Small mirrors can be well wrapped in Cross Town Movers paper pads and packed in cartons. For a large mirror, make a cardboard case by cutting pieces of corrugated cardboard. Mark GLASS on the outside to prevent mishandling.

Stereos, Compact Discs and Cassettes

Separately pack components and pack in a well padded Cross Town Movers carton marked FRAGILE. Pack CDs upright in their cases in a sturdy carton with a tape reinforced bottom. Tie CDs in small bundles before packing, then fill air space with Cross Town Movers packing paper. Mark FRAGILE. Cassettes can be packed in a similar manner although you can group them in larger bundles.

Radios, TVs

Box small tvs and radios upright in carton and pad well on all sides. For console-size equipment, if moving yourself, surround with Penske furniture pads, and then move and load upright. Otherwise Cross Town Movers and Bekins will properly pad your tv.

Dressers / Bureaus

Fill drawers with clothes or unbreakable items. Do not overload drawers with heavy items.

Lamps

After disassembling lamps, pack lamps in Cross Town Movers lamp cartons surrounded by packing paper. Box shades individually in cartons with plenty of paper for stuffing. Don't use newspaper because it smudges.

Lawn Mowers

Drain fuel and oil before loading. Remove handle from hand mower and mark properly.

Paint and Flammables

Don't move it. The same goes for other flammables such as alcohol, solvents, lighter fluid, and greasy mops or rags. These can be dangerous items and must be properly disposed of before moving.

Tools and Gardening Equipment

Drain hoses, coil and pack in carton. Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden hand tools, etc. Tie rakes, shovels, and other long handled tools together with rope or tape.

Dishes

Individually wrap each piece in Cross Town Movers packing paper and place in a dish pack. Place saucers, plates and platters on edge DO NOT STACK FLAT. Cups and bowls may be placed inside of each other and wrap three or four to a bundle.

Glasses

Wrap each glass separately in Cross Town Movers packing paper or bubble wrap. Pack in sturdy Cross Town Movers carton ( dish packs are perfect for glassware as well as dishes.)

Kitchenware

Pots, pans, etc., can be stacked in a carton with a sheet of Cross Town Movers packing paper between them.

Tables

For large tables, if moving yourself, remove and pad the legs and tie together. Put hardware in small sealed envelope taped to the underside of the tabletop. Pad tops. Pad and tie spare leaves. For small tables, pad top and wrap legs to prevent scratching. Cross Town Movers and Bekins will disassemble tables if necessary.

Rugs and Pads

After vacuuming rugs and pads, sprinkle with moth flakes. Roll up and tie with Cross Town Movers rope.

Paintings, Prints

Place in Cross Town Movers mirror cartons, wrap each picture individually in a paper pad. Stand on sides.