If you’re excited about moving to your new home but not so excited by all the packing you have to do, don’t worry. Packing is a time-consuming job to be sure, but if you know a few tricks, you can avoid the heartbreak of broken and lost items.
Follow these 10 simple tips for pain-free packing.
Arm Yourself
Arm yourself with packing essentials. You’ll need sturdy boxes, plastic totes, labels, packing tape, and markers. Your packing is only as good as the materials you use. You can purchase moving boxes from moving companies or save moving costs by asking for boxes from local stores.
Keep It Small
It may be tempting to use many large boxes, but it is not the smartest way to go. Sure, you can put more in a large box, but that means the box is going to be heavy. You probably will need a couple of large boxes for lightweight items, but most of the boxes you use should be in the mid-sized to a small range.
Organize the Chaos
Use separate boxes for each room. Packing is quicker and so is unpacking when you don’t have a lot of mixed location items in the same box.
Smart Pack
Pack smart to avoid painful backaches and broken items. Pack heavy items, such as books, in small boxes. Sheets, pillows, and bed coverings are lightweight and can be packed together in larger boxes. Always place heavier items in the box first, and then top with lightweight items. Never leave empty space in a box, particularly in a box with breakables. Fill in the spaces with packing material. Pack dishes vertically instead of stacking to reduce the risk of breaking.
The Creative Packer
Packing material doesn’t have to be the stuff you buy at the moving store. Old newspapers make great box filler. For a more creative and eco-friendly approach to packing, use dish towels as padding between kitchen breakables and clean socks around glasses and stemware.
Labels, Labels, Labels
Label the sides of each box with its contents and the room it goes to in the new house. If you’re really into organizing, number each box and keep a separate inventory sheet of what’s inside each.
Packing Tape, Not Masking Tape
Tape your boxes with packing tape, not masking, or any other type of tape. Packing tape has the strength to keep your boxes from breaking. Securely tape the bottom and top seams and for boxes filled with heavy items, wrap tape completely around the top and bottom twice.
Special Care Needed
Artwork and mirrors require special care when packing. Purchase crating made for paintings and mirrors from your local moving company. Add Bubble Wrap to frame crating for added protection.
Moving the Television
The best way to move your television is to pack it back in the box it originally came in. If you don’t have the original box and packing material, purchase a wooden television packing crate from a moving company. Use blankets or quilted furniture pads as extra padding.
Separate Chemicals
Pack your cleaning materials and spray bottles in a separate plastic tote with a secure lid to avoid spillage and damage to other items.
