Proper Ways to Pack for Your Move
Improper packing can cause damages during a move. If you choose to pack yourself, use these tips to make it a successful moving experience.
Tips to Packing For Your Move
Organize Your Packing Items
- Leave yourself enough time to organize and pack. Packing and preparing for a move always takes longer than anticipated.
- Organize your space before starting the packing process. This is a time saver.
- Setup a packing workstation on a flat surface where you can lay your packing paper, tape and other materials.
- Place empty boxes that you are in the process of packing on top of full boxes. This will protect you from potential back injuries and make the packing go faster.
- Pack in tiers. If you are packing breakable items, put a cushion of crushed paper on the bottom of each box. Then individually wrap each item and place it gently and securely in the box. Make sure that everything is packed tightly together and then add another tier of cushioning.
- Pack like items together; such as pots and pans or dishes. This will make the unpacking process easier.
- Label the top and two sides of each box. The labels should include your last name, the room the box should go in and a few words about the contents of the box. This will help the movers to know where to place the carton in your new residence.
- Do not leave any extra space in your boxes. Boxes need to be full and if there is a void you need to add paper.
- Use moving tape to tape the box shut. Make sure all seams are secure and the tape has adhered to the cardboard.
Packing Materials
- The best packing material is plain white newsprint (packing paper), which can be supplied by any moving company. Unlike newspapers it will not leave ink stains on the items you are trying to protect.
- Be generous in your use of paper. Packing paper is not cheap; but it is much less expensive than damaged goods.
- Packing paper is preferable to bubble wrap and cost less.