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When it comes to moving, you can either hire a moving company or do it on your own. If you decide to take the DIY route, then you have to pack all your possessions yourself as well. The last thing you want is to do the packing at the last minute as it will not only be daunting, but you run breaking your items when you realize it’s a bigger job than anticipated and you need to do it fast. When it comes to relocation, you can never pack too early. That being said, here are some of our favorite packing tips when moving.
First and foremost, you’ll want to get a range of good quality double-walled cardboard boxes from The Gaylord Box Exchange as well as packing tape for fastening the top and bottom of the boxes. You also want to get plenty of packing paper for wrapping as well as filling the gaps. Ensure you have a wide array of different sized boxes, small ones for CDs, books, and videotapes, medium-sized ones for your kitchen utensils, etc. Bottle boxes are not just meant for those wine bottles. They can also be used to pack those champagne flutes and stem glasses. Don’t cut corners by getting cheap materials as they will not do the job and your items will end up sustaining damage.
Avoid overfilling the boxes, but ensure you fill them up and don’t leave any spaces. Pack the light items in the larger boxes and the lighter ones in the small boxes. If you’re packing a box with items of varying weight, put the heavier ones first in order to spread the load. Again, pack all the boxes to their tops and fill the spaces with crushed paper. This avoids items crashing into each other, which can lead to damage during transportation. If you have huge gaps and do not want the boxes to be heavy, then fill the spaces with cushions and pillows. All you want is the boxes to be rigid when it comes to loading them onto the van.
Packing China, Glass, etc.
When packing, start each box with a cushioning layer, preferably tea towels or packing paper. Wrap the dishes and plates individually and put them into the box vertically. Once you have wrapped the cups and bowls in the paper, nestle them inside each other. Again, put the heavier items at the bottom, followed by the lighter ones. Do not forget to put a layer of cushioning between the items and ensure every box is finished with cushioning to ensure it’s full to the top.
Packing Framed Pictures and Mirrors
In order to protect large mirrors, framed pictures, paintings, etc., consider wrapping it in cardboard or paper blankets. Mirrors or pictures with delicate frames may call for additional packing. You can use flat boxes and seal them at the bottom in order to create a sleeve or envelope in which you can put extra packing paper, where you can slide the mirror or artwork in.
Clothing
You can put bedding and lose clothing into bin liners, but it’s advisable to use specific wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. This way, you can simply lift them from the hangers straight into the box without crumpling them or making them dirty. Ideally, you have room at the bottom to put shoes and other accessories. Place the shoes in bags in order to keep the clothes clean. Standard sized boxes are ideal for folded clothes as well as trousers.
Books
Collectively, books tend to be heavy and so, consider suing double-walled boxes and ensure you fill them to the top as gaps will only cause the boxes to crush when stacked. Make sure you fill up the voids with crushed paper. If you have precious books, you can simply wrap them in extra packing paper for an additional layer of protection.
Beds
First and foremost, you’ll want to strip the beds bare and put all the bedding into boxes. Ensure you mark them correctly and make it so that they are the first to unpack. The last thing you want is to search for beddings late into the evening after a long day of relocation. You can invest in single or double plastic mattress covers, which are great for keeping mattresses clean and dry if it’s rainy during the moving day.
Electronics & Hi-Fi Equipment
If you still have the original packing, simply pack them with the infill packing. As with all boxes, you’ll want to tape them securely. If you still own a turntable, ensure you secure or tape down the pick-up of the unit. As for the LP vinyl, wrap and pack them vertically.
Self-Assembly Furniture
This kind of furniture is not designed to be moved around when assembled and so, you’ll want to dismantle it before the big day. Any other piece that is too big to fit on the doorway will require dismantling as well. In such situations, it is best to seek help from a professional removals.
Refrigerators and Freezers
Refrigerators have to be emptied, but a freezer can stay full unless moving long-distance or to a storage unit, in which case they need to be completely defrosted and dry before moving. Do not forget to secure all the loose parts as well as the drawers.
And there you have it, simple and straightforward tips for packing to ensure you have a smooth removal process.
