02 May Packing Tips
Posted at 11:37h
in Moving Tips and Tricks
The movers will be here in the morning, and we still need to pack! Sound familiar? With most people, packing isn’t a priority until it’s time to move. Having a plan for packing can make all the difference in your overall moving experience and stress level. With almost 30 years of experience in the moving industry, I have come up with my Top 10 tips for packing.
Top 10 Packing Tips
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- Decide what to move. Sort through your belongings and decide what you really NEED to take with you. I recommend getting started on sorting 60 days prior to your expected moving date. This will give you amble time to decide which items should be donated, recycled or disposed.
- Use quality packing materials. To provide the best protection for your items, I recommend using strong boxes that that can be closed on the top and bottom. Purchasing boxes will not only help secure your items but will also make the moving process more efficient because the boxes will be more uniform in size/shape, making them stackable. Boxes can be purchased from Amazon, Walmart, Lowes, U-Haul or 5 Star Moving.
- Preparing the box. Boxes should be securely taped on the bottom before packing. I recommend that you place a minimum of 3 strips of tape across the seam at the bottom. Once the box is packed, close the top lid and place a strip of tape across the top seam. Label the box on the top and one of the sides so labels are visible on stacked boxes.
- Packing paper is your best friend! I am big believer in packing paper. Crumple paper at the bottom and top of each box to provide a cushion layer for the items in the box. It is also a good practice to wrap each item being packing in paper as well. Packing paper is easier to use then bubble wrap, it less expensive and doesn’t leave ink marks on your items like newspaper.
- Packing liquids. I recommend using rubber totes for all liquids. In the event there is a leak, the liquids will remain in the tote and not get any other items wet.
- Linens, pillows, blankets, etc. Towels make create packing supplies! Use towels, wash clothes, dish clothes, etc. to wrap fragile items and save on the cost of packing paper. Items, such as pillows and blankets, can be packed into trash bags. Again, this will be a less expensive option over boxes.
- Using the correct box size. Overweight boxes can be difficult to move or may break during the moving process. Items, such as books and photo albums, should be packed into small boxes. Use large boxes for items, such as kitchen pots, pans and mixing bowls, that take up a lot of room but are not heavy.
- Use all available space. When possible, pack the boxes full and fill in available space with packing paper. This will help keep items from shifting during the move and reduce breakage.
- Packing TVs. TVs should be placed in the original box when possible. If you’re like me and no longer have the boxes, 5 Star Moving provides the FREE use of TV boxes on the day of the move. If your TV is over 70″, or has a curved screen, you will need to purchase your own box.
- Ask for help! Deciding what to keep and having the time to pack can be overwhelming, especially if you are taking care of a parent or grandparent that is transitioning out of their home. 5 Star Moving can assist with all packing needs. If you need special assistance to help sort out what to take, Life Sort in Fargo, ND (701-261-8042) does a great job providing that service.
For any additional questions regarding your upcoming move, please call 5 Star Moving at 701-356-6683, start a FREE quote or email us.