Packing Don’ts for Moving
Everyone has heard about the packing do’s, but packing don’ts are just as important.
J. Palermo Moving & Storage, Inc. provides full packing services, but many of our clients also pack themselves. Below are the most common packing don’ts we see our clients disregard. These packing don’ts are moving time-savers and will help to prevent moving damage, whether you’re moving yourself or working with a moving company.
Moving Packing Don’ts:
If it can fit in a box it should go in a box
- Don’t pack books in Medium or Large boxes, you’ll over-pack and the boxes could break during the move, or you could pack a box too heavy to move. Always pack books, CDs, and files in 1.5 cu.ft. Small boxes.
- Don’t forget to disassemble your lamps and lampshades and pack them in proper boxes, 5.1 cu.ft. Dish Pack boxes are best. Lamps and lampshades cannot be wrapped; they must move in a box or risk damage.
- Don’t pack your fragile items or books into plastic totes. This does not securely protect fragile items from damage and will over pack the tote, making it too heavy to lift. Wrap fragile items and pack them into 1.5 cu.ft. Small boxes, or pack fragile dishware into 5.1 cu.ft. Dish Pack boxes. Those boxes have thicker walls for better protection.
- It is important to know that using bubble wrap isn’t enough to protect artwork and mirrors. Artwork and mirrors must be packed in Mirror or Artwork boxes to avoid damage.
- Vases and pots must be boxed and cannot be placed freely in your moving vehicle or they will get damaged and may cause other items to get damaged as well.
- Don’t transport your items in trash bags. Your belongings aren’t trash and your bags will rip in transit. Bags can’t be stacked to utilize space in a moving vehicle.
- 3-5 drawer filing cabinets must be emptied completely or they will be too heavy to carry. 2 drawer filing cabinets can remain full but emptying them will be appreciated by your movers or helpful friends.
- Dressers should only contain clothing.
- Fragile items, books, and jewelry cannot be transported in drawers of furniture items. They may damage the furniture or you could run the risk of getting lost or damaged if not packed properly.
- All containers must have tops to ensure items are not susceptible to damage. This will ensure that all boxes can be stacked inside the moving vehicle.
- All boxes should be filled as best as possible to ensure safe transport and loading. If the space is not used items are more likely to shift and get damaged during transit, and boxes could collapse while they are stacked in the moving truck.
Have other packing questions? Request a quote for full or fragile packing services with J. Palermo Moving & Storage, Inc.
Call us today to request a free, no obligation moving quote and start planning your move.