Tips for Packing
By Andrew Spatz, Packing Specialist, Truck rental.com Staff
Moving to a new home can be a very hectic time. Most of us who have moved before can tell you any number of stories involving disasters that have occurred while we were moving. Most of these stories involve packing or unpacking and the loss or breakage of something that was important to us. There is a reason to hear these stories, however, and that is to learn from other people’s mistakes. To this end, we have taken all of our experiences and put them together in this packing guide to help you avoid making the same mistakes.
Organize
The first thing that you need to think about when you are packing up your home is how you will organize it. You need to make sure that you keep track of what you are moving so that you can provide a detailed inventory to any moving companies that you may hire. You should also organize your things according to any method you see fit so that you are able to find things easily when you arrive at your new home.
Materials
It’s important to have all needed materials on hand before you start packing. If you have to stop in the middle to run out and buy something that you have forgotten, then you are simply adding time to the project. Here is a simple list of everything that you will need.
- Moving boxes. Make sure that they are strong and durable.
- Packing Tape. Make sure that you are using professional grade packing tape as masking tape and other tapes will not support fully packed moving boxes.
- Newsprint or bubble wrap. You will need some sort of material to wrap delicate items in. You can find various materials at any moving or packaging store.
- Plastic bags. Get a variety of different sizes to fit your different needs. These are very helpful in keeping small parts together with the items that they belong to.
- Markers. The bigger the marker, the better it will be. You will be using markers to label bags and boxes. Consider getting multiple colors so that you can color code your boxes according to your organization methods.
About Wrapping
You should always wrap up your breakables, no matter what size or shape that they may be. The only exception to this rule is if you have the original packaging. The original package is always the safest way to transport fragile items.
Remember that newspaper may leave ink smudges on your things, so consider bagging items first or using an alternative such as blank newsprint or bubble wrap.
Starting Out
The sooner you start packing, the better off you will be. Starting late, or close to your moving date will only create a rush, making this time even more stressful than it already is. Once you do get started, you will see how fast the packing process actually goes.
Secure and Organize
Make sure that you secure box bottoms well so that they do not give way while being moved. Create a staging area near the front door for completed boxes to be placed. Don’t forget to label everything according to your organization method such as room or items within.
Where to Start
The best way to start is to pack only things that you do not use every day. These things will not be missed when they are packed away early. They will also be the first things to be loaded into a moving van or truck rental. If you start early and follow these tips, then you are sure to have a stress-free moving experience.
