General packing guidelines can be followed for most items, but some things require special care in preparation for shipment. Do not hesitate to ask your local Wheaton Agent for additional assistance.

Plates and flat china
Individually wrap each piece in several pieces of clean newsprint. Stack three to five pieces together and wrap the bundle. Always stand each bundle on its side. Never lay them flat. Create a second level by placing 3-4 inches of crumbled paper over bundles. Always pack larger items on the bottom and smaller items toward to top of the carton.

Glassware and crystal
Individually wrap and pack rim down on the very top layer of your carton. Never place one piece inside of another. Pack especially fragile items in a smaller carton and place the entire carton in a larger, cushioned one.

Bowls
Wrap individually, nesting 2-3 bowls together before re-wrapping the entire bundle. Place the bundle in a carton on its side or flat and creating layers as you go.

Glasses and cups
Individually wrap taking extra care to cushion handles with more newsprint. Pack with rims down creating layers within the carton.

Mirrors, glass/marble tabletops, pictures, paintings, etc.
Your local Wheaton agent can provide you with special cartons that accommodate most items in this category. Place only one article in each container. Professional crating may be necessary for oversized or especially heavy items, such as table tops.

Books
Pack similar sized books together in smaller boxes alternating open edges with the bindings. Wrap hardback books and ones with fragile covers in clean newsprint.

Clothing
Leave foldable clothes in dresser drawers or pack in suitcases or medium-sized cartons. Leave hanging clothes on hangers and place in wardrobe cartons, or remove hangers and pack in lined cartons if you prefer. Leave hats in their boxes and place in a moving carton. If hats are not stored in a box, use a small box and surround them with clean newsprint.

Food
Tape openings shut on all boxed dry foods before placing in medium-sized cartons. Jars should also be taped shut and wrapped. Use smaller cartons for jars and cans due to their weight. Never pack perishable items, aerosol kitchen products or frozen food.

Lamps
Remove the shade, bulb and harp. Wrap bulb, harp and base and place the base in an appropriate sized carton. Fit one shade in similar sized carton without placing newsprint in or around it. Take extra care with glass shades and chandeliers by having them professionally packed in sturdy crates.

Refrigerators
Empty of all food and secure or remove shelves. Disconnect and drain icemaker line, remove and containerize any auxiliary hoses. Tape electrical cord to the back of the refrigerator.

Washing machines
Remove and containerize hoses. If placing the hoses in the drum, wrap them in clean newsprint to prevent damage to the drum. Tape the electrical cord to the back of the washer. Secure the drum in place with materials available from your Wheaton agent.

Dryers
Remove and containerize vent. Tape electrical cord to the back of the dryer.

Small appliances
Individually wrap and pack clocks, radios and other smaller appliances in cartons with linens, towels or clean newsprint.

Tools
Drain power tools of gasoline and oil. Bundle long handled tools together to save space. Wrap and pack hand tools in layers with larger, heavier items on the bottom.

Bedding and draperies
Cover mattresses to protect them from soil and damage in appropriate sized boxes, which are available from your Wheaton agent. Fold sheets, spreads and draperies and place in boxes or hang in wardrobe cartons.

Flowers and plants
Generally, potted flowers and plants are not moved because they likely will not survive a long distance move. Wrap artificial arrangements and box individually securing the arrangement to the bottom of the carton if possible. Find more tips on packing all of your outdoor items.

Electronics and clocks
When possible, package electronics in the original cartons with Styrofoam inserts. If you no longer have the original package, wrap items and place them in medium or large boxes. Large home electronics, such as big screen televisions, will be moved as furniture and should not be packed. Computers and grandfather clocks require special pre-move preparation. Consult your local Wheaton agent or a dealer prior to your move