Advice on how to stay organized during the packing process
Chad Coatney • May 10, 2024
Have a designated packing zone
- Make a zone and declare it as your own
- Having all your packing materials spread all over the house is going to stress you out so keep your packing materials near where its easy to grab when you need them.
- Your packing zone can move as you move between rooms. Choose a corner, a counter, or even an empty room. Just make sure your zone is stocked with packing supplies like tape, markers, and boxes.
Label Your Boxes
- This is not Deal or No Deal. You want to know what is in each box.
- Get a batch of markers and label every box on both sides with the following information:
- What room it belongs in
- The exact contents
- Whether or not it is fragile (mirrors for example)
- What side needs to be up
- Trust us. You are going to be so happy you did this on moving and unpacking day.
Get Boxes – Really, Really Good Ones
Do Not Pack What You Do Not Need
- There is no sense in packing what you do not need.
- So, take a good look at all your belongings. Decide whether you’ll keep it, donate it, or toss it.
Only Use Packing Containers That Can Be Sealed
- It is tempting to use laundry hampers and trash bags as makeshift moving materials, but it is not a good idea.
- Bags that can easily split, or containers without lids can easily leave you with a huge mess on moving day. And the last thing you need on moving day is to have to stop and re-pack.
Do Not Undress Your Dresser
- Your clothes are already half-packed, thanks to your dresser!
- For minimal moving, take the drawers out and use protective wrap. This way one person can easily move them.
Heavy Stuff Goes on the Bottom
- Packing is a skill. There is a process, and a proper order.
- Heavy stuff on the bottom, light items on top.
- It is exactly like bagging your groceries. You do not want to crush your light items, and the heavy items will help hold the boxes right-side up.
Set A 50 Ibs Limit Per Box
- The last thing you want to do on moving day is hurt yourself. Or hurt your movers or your friend who graciously volunteered to help.
- Each box should weigh no more than 50 ibs. This is a safety issue; one we take very seriously.
- If you have extremely heavy items like gym equipment, they should be packed alone and in small boxes to limit the weight. If anything looks like it is going to be too heavy to lift on your own, ask for help.
Have A Stack of Newsprint on Hand
- Newsprint is great for wrapping around your breakables.
- It adds an extra barrier, and when coupled with the right packing materials, its super convenient.
Play Tetris With Your Belongings
- Never been good at Tetris? Do not worry there is no time limit in this game.
- When you are packing, you should leave no spaces in your boxes. Space gives your possessions more room to rattle around and potentially break. Space also increases the risk of crushing.
- Make use of every available nook and cranny by using packing materials or soft objects like your clothes to fill spaces between bigger, more rigid items.
Seal Any Spill-Risks with Tape and Plastic
- Spill-risks include:
- Soaps
- Shampoos
- Dry Goods
- Oils and Liquids
- These should be sealed with tape, placed in plastic bag, ten packed into a box clearly labeled. Remember to indicate which side is up.
Learn What You Absolutely Cannot Pack
- There are somethings you cannot pack in a residential moving truck. This includes:
- Hazardous Materials
- Perishables
- Chemicals
Bundle Long Items Together
- If you are taking your curtain rods, rakes, brooms, and long-handles dusters, these should be bundled together with tape.
Pack Lamps and Lamp Shades Separately
- Together, lamps and lamp shades are awkward to pack, and fragile.
- Separately? Still fragile (so make a note) but much easier to work with.
- Remove the light bulb.
- Remove the shade and the metal “U” that holds up the lampshade.
- Base of the lamp should be wrapped in paper and place upright in a box, surrounded by crushed paper.
- Do the same thing with the metal “U”.
- The lamp shade should be carefully wrapped and placed upright in its own box. If you have multiple shades, they can be snugged inside each other.
Treat Dishes and Glasses with Extra Care
- Dishes and glasses are in a league of their own in the packing world.
- They need their own specialized boxes (we have them).
- A layer of crushed paper should be in the bottom of the box, between each layer in the box and at the top of the box.
Get A Mattress Bag
- Mattress bags are the super cool packing product you did not know existed.
- But now that you do, we are guessing you really want one. Because if you have ever moved before, you know how much of a pain it is to move a mattress and keep it clean. Not sure where to find them, you are in luck – we can provide those for you as well!
Use the Boxes Your Electronics Came In
- You were being smart when you forgot to toss the box your electronics came in.
- These boxes were custom made for your device, and that makes it super easy to pack and move them.
- If you did not keep the boxes? That is completely fine! We can supply the boxes you will need for these items. We will even pack them up for you if you would like.
We will Help with As Much as You Want
- Not cut out for packing? We are one of the full-service moving companies that will pack for you.
- We offer customizable moving quotes that consider what you want. We could simply help you move; we could help you pack, or we could help with it all. The choice is up to you.
- Whenever you are ready to get packing, talk to us about the moving. We will give you a free, no-obligation quote based on our knowledge and experience!
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