The following are some simple packing tips designed to educate consumers on how to pack items appropriately prior to the movers arriving. Whether moving a short or long distance, your household goods are going to be loaded into the back of a moving van where items will be stacked in tiers. Empty spaces within the tiers will be utilized to place smaller items. Properly maximizing the cubic space within the back of the moving van is important in preventing damage to one’s property while being handled and transported. Maximizing cubic feet during loading also is essential to avoid multiple trips. Anything that prevents maximizing the cubic space in the moving van (poor packing and/or loading) may result in multiple trips which adds unnecessary time to the move itself. Moreover, should one be moving long distance, it could potentially require the use of another moving truck and driver which would definitely add to the cost. That is why it is important to hire an experienced, professional moving company who can assign the right equipment and experienced crews for your move.
Take precaution when packing your moving boxes so that items are not hanging out of the boxes. The boxes will be stacked on a dolly and in the moving van; it is difficult to stack boxes that do not have a flat surface. Also, risk of damage is much higher when items are hanging and/or bulging out of the box.
We strongly recommend utilizing heavy duty corrugated boxes. Always secure the bottoms (the seam) of moving boxes with several strips of heavy duty packing tape. To avoid damage to the contents of a box, it is important to packing all boxes to the rim. Boxes that are not packed to the rim are likely to crush when stacked which can cause damage to the items within the box (we recommend filling the box with crumpled paper, air bags or bubble wrap to fill the void). Again, do not have items hanging or bulging out of the boxes, this prevents the ability to stack which can take more room than necessary in the back of the moving van.
Heavy items should be placed in smaller boxes and lighter items in bigger boxes. Seal boxes once packed, the top of the surface should be flat to accommodate stacking in the moving van. For ease of handling and distribution at destination, it is always recommended you label your moving boxes i.e., Kitchen, Living room, Master bedroom and/or fragile. Label your box on the sides not on top. Remember the boxes will be stacked so it is difficult to see labels on the tops of the boxes once stacked. Use bubble wrap, news print quality paper or tissue paper to wrap glass ware and/or fragile items. We do not recommend utilizing newspaper due to the residue it leaves on your belongings.
Ziploc bags are great for keeping hardware and accessories organized. We recommend using a separate baggie to keep accessories and hardware for beds, entertainment center, electronics, etc. Baggies are also great for dumping items from cluttered draws (pens, sticky pads, clips, etc.). Sharpies are great tools for marking boxes and baggies. Small appliances and electronics should be packed in boxes specific to size. Avoid packing multiple items with your appliances and electronics. Disconnect and dismantle electronics properly, utilize individual plastic baggies for accessories to avoid confusion when reassembling.
Small mirrors should be carefully wrapped and packed in boxes. Flat cardboard should be used to cover large paintings, artwork or wall mirrors. Many moving companies sell mirror packs in a variety of sizes. Area rugs should be rolled up and carefully secured with tape or rope. It is best to utilize small boxes when packing books, preferably a 1.5 cubic feet carton. Insert books on edge to help reduce the stress of the books during transit. Alternate the up and down edges of the books. Make sure to completely fill the carton with books so there is no shifting.
Do not utilize large boxes to pack books, it may seem convenient but it creates a hazardous load for the individual handling the box. Wardrobe boxes are great for packing closets. Make use of the space by packing shoes in the bottom of the wardrobe box before hanging your wardrobe. When moving long distances it is always best to insert a dryer sheet in the wardrobe box to keep items smelling fresh. Do not overload the wardrobe box. Corrugated boxes can only take so much weight and you certainly do not want for your box to fall apart. Again, always apply several strips of heavy duty tape on the bottom seam of the box.
The components of an entertainment center, including remote controls, should be completely packed in boxes specific to size before the moving crew arrives. Remote controls not properly boxed are easily misplaced or lost. Unless you plan on transporting lamps yourself, lamps should always be packed in a moving box prior to loading on the truck. Lamp shades that are not appropriately packed in a box can easily crease during the loading process.
Do not pack aerosols, acetone, ammunition, combustibles, explosives, liquids, etc. These items can damage your belongings and will void insurance and mover’s liability.
Items not to be moved should be clearly labeled “do not move”. Donate, give or dump items you no longer need or want prior to the move. There is no sense in paying to move items you will eventually dispose of at your final destination.
Please call us with any packing or moving questions or concerns you may have. We would be more than happy to help you. You can reach us at 850-877-7131.
Brilliant advice!!! Moving is exciting as well as stressful task as there are various thing to do from packing to move. There is one question always arises in about this moving that why people only give preference to pack items and not for the labeling. I think both the aspects are equally important as packing reduce the risk of damage while labeling helps in finding different items when it comes to unpack. I am glad that you have included this essential point and thus aware people towards this.
Well, most and hopefully all professional movers label the boxes they are packing. Most of our clients who pack themselves do label their boxes however, we have had occasions wherein our professional movers encountered unlabeled boxes. Often the client will identify a room to place all miscellaneous items including unlabeled boxes. I believe what happens is, consumers are so extremely busy these days that when they finally start packing (most often in a rush), they just seem to forget to label the box. They are in the “get it over with” stage and as we all know, once we start accelerating a process such as packing, we can become somewhat careless. The truth is, the majority of folks do not find packing a fun activity. Often, consumers are overwhelmed by how much they have to pack. I cannot tell you how often we hear, “I did not know we had so much stuff”. Quite frankly, having been in the moving business has disciplined me not too get crazy purchasing various items for our home. I have converted to living the clutter free life. Yes, labeling one’s moving boxes is very important during the unpacking stage. Consumers need to realize, the less often you have to handle a box, the less damage to your belongings and your back. It is much more efficient to label “Kitchen, Pots” and know exactly where it is going than to sort things out at your new home. Thank you for the feedback!