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Packing Tips
Packing Small Things
Packing big things may seem difficult and people may worry more about getting the large items packed appropriately and forget about packing small items the correct way. It is important to pack small items the right way to ensure that they arrive safely at your new home.
Pack any small appliances in the original box. Didn't save that box? You can purchase small appliance boxes at retail stores or moving stores that should fit most small appliances. Make sure you wrap the appliance as well.
Books should be packed in a box securely without the box exceeding 30 pounds. Anything over that is just too heavy for lifting safely and too heavy to keep the box from breaking.
Your collectibles, such as Precious Moments, Lladro or even baseball cards should be wrapped with plenty of padding or put back in original boxes and then packed in box with "top load" written on it so that nothing is set on top of the box, thus potentially causing damage to your items.
Kitchen dishes and china will need each piece individually wrapped with lots of padding on the bottom of each box the dishware will go in. Don't set the dishes flat inside the box, instead put the plates on their sides and put the bowls and glasses around them.
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U-Pack Moving Tip: Pre-move Yard Sale
If do it yourself moving is in your future, do yourself a big favor and begin by paring down your possessions to only those things you'll need or want in your new home. Grab some large boxes, write down a moving checklist and put away any unnecessary items. About a week or two before your big move, plan to have a yard sale. Not only is this a great way to get rid of excess stuff, it's a boost for your budget as well.
Make fliers or post an ad on the Internet to announce your sale. It's best to pick a non-holiday weekend for your sale to improve chances of more people coming. Hold your sale on Saturday and Sunday, and plan to mark down prices on your items either all day Sunday or during the last few hours.
Think of preparations for your yard sale as the first phase of your packing process. Removing and unloading what you don't need is an excellent way to get a fresh start on your new life.
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Don't Use Regular Newspaper
Use only unprinted newsprint paper or bubble wrap to wrap your items. Regular newspapers are messy and can soil and ruin your possessions.
You can use filler items such as socks, pillows, t-shirts, towels, blankets, and sheets to wrap your items in and fill space in boxes.
It's worth spending the extra money to protect your possessions during the move.
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U-Pack Moving Tip: Smaller Moves Made Simple
If you only have a small amount of possessions to move -- say, from a studio or one-bedroom apartment or an office -- you may wish to opt for moving containers as opposed to renting moving vans or hiring full-service movers. A self-moving company like U-Pack, for example, offers what's called a ReloCube.
These convenient, 6'x7'x8' storage containers are dropped off at your location. You simply pack them with all your possessions, then lock the ReloCube. U-Pack picks up the cube and delivers it to either your new location or to a storage facility -- whichever you choose. Not only are these moving containers a great option for smaller moves, but they save a lot of money in the long run.
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Pack Room By Room
Start packing several weeks before your move date, taking it one room at a time. Begin with things you use less frequently, such as books and knick knacks.
Pack each room in separate boxes and label each box with its contents. This will make it easier to unpack and have the boxes left in the correct room.
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U-Pack Moving Tip: Simple Self-moving
Self moving is a relatively new and increasingly popular method of transporting yourself and your possessions from one home to another. By doing your own packing, you save a lot of money and get an excellent opportunity to keep tabs on your things during the move.
The two most popular methods of self-moving are to have a trailer (generally about 28-feet long) delivered to your home, which you then load up with the boxes you've packed. You only pay for the amount of space you've used. The movers then collect the trailer and transport it to your new location. Alternately, you can have a storage container delivered for self storage self storage. Best for small moves, the container is packed and collected by the movers. Both the trailers and the containers can be dropped off at your new home for unpacking or to a storage facility that you select ahead of time.
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Packing Up The Kitchen
When packing plates, serving platters, and dishware, each piece should be individually wrapped in either packing paper or bubble wrap and placed on their edge not flat in sturdy boxes. Dishes are stronger when placed vertically and have less a chance of breaking and shifting.
Purchase "dish pack" boxes or small boxes for packing breakables. Wrap Fine silver should be wrapped in cloth or silver paper.
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Make Moving Boxes Movable
Moving Boxes come in a variety of types and styles. There are small, medium, and large boxes, as well as item specific boxes such as:
- wardrobe boxes for clothing on hangers
- dish packs for your kitchenware and breakables
- picture boxes for your framed pictures
- book boxes for heavy books and photo albums
- TV and electronic boxes for electronics and media items, file boxes for your desk files, and lamp boxes for lamps and shades.
When choosing box sizes for your move, make sure you use the right boxes for the appropriate material. You don't want to load up a large box with books and heavy objects. You want the boxes to be no more then 25-30 lbs each to make it easier for the movers to handle.
Heavier boxes are easier to drop. Keep your boxes on the lighter side to prevent your possessions from falling and getting damaged.
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How to Tape Up Your Boxes
When putting together the boxes for packing, more tape does not mean it will be more secure.
Simply tape the bottom center seam of the box and tape the two edge sides, this is sufficent for any box. Do the same when sealing the top of the box. This will also help keep your packing tape costs down.
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Packing Electronics
When packing electronics, use orignial boxes for computers, stereos and televisions if possible.
- Wrap each piece with bubble wrap or foam packing material and immobilize any moving parts.
- Remove all cables and cords and label them for easier re-installation.
- Tape electrical cords to back of electronics to prevent plug damage.
- Remove CD's and DVD's from the players to prevent them from rattling and getting stuck in player.
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Keep Your Boxes Upright
If you are packing a box of fragile items or simply want the box to remain upright and not get turned on it's side or upside down during the move, clearly mark with a bold arrow on all sides of the box indicating which end is up. This will prevent the person handling the box to flip or turn over box.
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Transporting Irreplaceable Items
Put together a box of personal irreplaceable items such as photos, financial papers and assets (bank checks, insurance policies, stock/bond certificates, etc.), legal documents (wills, passports. etc.), valuables, jewelry, coin and stamp collections, medical and family history records and personally transport them yourself to ensure they wont get lost during the move.
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Packing Supplies
When you are packing for a self-move, you will want plenty of the appropriate packing supplies. Self-moving can be quite a detailed process, but if you are prepared with the right supplies for packing, the move will seem much smoother.
You will need the following supplies when packing:
Boxes: Obviously you will need lots of boxes of various size and shape in which you will pack your household items.
Tape measure: A tape measure comes in handy when moving and packing in order to measure the size of objects to see if they will fit through a doorway or into a box.
Bubble wrap or packing peanuts: These are needed to wrap breakable items before placing them in a box or to add extra padding to a box.
Tissue paper: Many people use newspaper, but it is recommended that you wrap breakable things in tissue paper along with bubble wrap, to protect the item. Newspaper often leaves black smudges behind from the newsprint.
Marker: A permanent marker works well for marking the tops of boxes with what is inside after closing the box. You will want all of your boxes labeled with what is inside and what room the box should go to when unloading.
Packing tape: Packing tape is necessary for taping together the bottom and the top of each box you are packing. You can buy packing tape that has a sharp piece attached to it, which will cut the tape when you are done taping the box, otherwise you must use scissors to cut the tape, and so have those handy as well.
Do- it-yourself moving is something you must be prepared for; having all the necessary items is a must!
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Packing Big Items
If you are doing a self move you will need to pack your big items. A general rule of thumb is to pack the following big items in your home:
Bed or bed frame: It is best to take apart your mattress and box spring from the bed frame. Experts recommend tying the pieces of your bed frame, two at a time, together. Make sure to put labels on each piece as to where it goes when assembling the bed again.
Table: Your kitchen or dining room table may come apart. This is really helpful when moving it. Take the legs off the table and wrap with bubble wrap, pack in a box if it fits. If the legs don't fit, tie or tape the legs to the tabletop. You can even tape the screws and bolts to the bottom of the tabletop so that you don't lose them.
Appliances: Most people leave their stoves and dishwashers when moving, but many take their fridge. If you are moving a refrigerator, make sure you start the process well in advance. Remove all food, defrost the freezer and drain any excess water. Remove any drawers to keep them from sliding out. Once that is done, protect any blades by covering with a towel. Then wrap the fridge in blankets and tie them.
These are just some of the big items you may be moving in a do-it-yourself move. If you are moving a large item that isn't listed here and aren't sure how to pack it appropriately, try doing an Internet search for packing and that specific item's name.
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Packing Odd Shaped or Bulky Items
Everyone has those odd shaped items that they wonder how they will ever pack to move it. Things such as: bulky chairs, your lawn mower, your patio furniture and your bicycle. Is there even an appropriate way to pack all of these things? Expert movers recommend the following:
Bulky chairs should be wrapped in bubble wrap around the arms and legs and then moved. If you want extra protection, wrap the chair in a blanket as well.
Lawn mowers technically won't be packed, but you can't move a lawn mower on a moving truck with the gasoline in it. Please empty all the gas from the mower and double-check your mower for any leaks. You can then pack it in your truck.
Patio furniture is bulky, but it probably can be taken apart, wrapped in bubble wrap and then put back together at your new home.
Your bike is an odd shaped item to pack. Experts suggest that you loosen the handlebars on the bike and then cover the bike with blankets to keep it from being damaged and damaging other items.
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Moving Containers
Moving containers are a great way to pack your items, especially if you are moving a small space such as a dorm room or an apartment. A moving container holds about one room full of boxes and is ideal for someone who wants to put those items in storage, or moving from a small space to a larger one. A moving container company, such as Upack, will deliver the cube to your home, dorm or apartment, and because the cubes aren't large, they will leave the cube in a parking space near your home. You will then load the cube with your packed belongings, lock the cube and keep the key. The company will come back for the cube and transport it to your new location, whether that is a new house, a storage facility or another apartment. You will then unload your items once they arrive.
These moving containers are fantastic because everything is at ground level. No walking up a ramp to load items, you simply step into the cube, set your box where you need it and then continue loading. Plus, you don't have to worry about transporting your items; the company takes care of that for you! The price is reasonable as well; contact a moving container company for a free quote!
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What Not to Pack
There are a few things you must not pack when moving, either a do-it-yourself move or a move where you pack and someone else drives for you, you must not put the following items on the moving truck.
Explosives or flammable items such as: aerosols, acids, ammunition, propane tanks, matches and motor oil. The list for this type of item is extensive; you should check with the moving company or rental truck company for a complete list of items.
Perishable items such as: food, plants and animals. Food that is perishable can be packed in a cooler and driven by you to your new home; moving companies rarely take food that is perishable. Plants need air to breath, grow and live, and the inside of a moving truck is not conducive to this, therefore no live plants on moving trucks. Of course your animals should never be packed and sent on a moving truck, all pets should travel with you in your vehicle.
Some moving companies may agree to move your perishables if you are going a short distance, check with the moving company to find out their rules on this subject.
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How to Pack
Packing your home for a move has its perks, you are completely in control of the entire process, which means you can pack how you like and when you like. If you are aware of some general packing tips you can pack your home in a no time flat!
When packing, pack only one room at a time. Don't start one room and then go to another. Stick with one room and pack that entire room until the room is completely packed.
Go through all desk and cupboard drawers and pack any of those items. Do this when you first start packing a room; take care of the drawers first.
Pack your heavy items in smaller boxes rather than stuffing many heavy items into a huge box. Small boxes are easier to carry even when filled with a heavy item.
When packing a box make sure the heavy items are on the bottom and the lighter things on top.
