How To Pack Correctly
July 20, 2022 Moving News
Moving to a new home might be exciting at times. However, the act of moving is not particularly thrilling. It’s stressful, tiring, mentally draining, and time-consuming if done correctly. But if you don’t do it right, you may arrive at your destination, open your boxes, and discover that you have to put your life back. Therefore, you need to know how to pack correctly before moving day.
Moving generally entails putting your life back together in some way. However, you don’t want to discover that you have to put things together one by one like a jigsaw puzzle. Avoiding this may require a little more effort; however, it will be worth it if you avoid having to handle broken goods and damaged items at the other end. All your hard work will be for nothing if your belongings are damaged in transit. Therefore, there are common mistakes to avoid when moving.
The Correct Ways To Pack Before Your Moving Day
Packing is one of the first and most crucial steps to take when moving. It’s important to do it right so that you can avoid any potential disasters along the way. Here are a few tips on how to pack correctly:
Don’t Pack Your Tools First
We’d like to start by advising you not to pack up your equipment first. Many of the things in your home must be deconstructed before being moved so they can be properly relocated. You’ll need a toolset on hand that allows you to deconstruct things fast. Avoid putting your tools on your packing list.
When you’re breaking down furniture, it’s a good idea to remember that the hardware for particular pieces of equipment or other items you’re razing should be placed in separate containers with labels indicating what each set goes to. You’ll need things organized on the other end so you can unpack and arrange your house as soon as possible. Because you didn’t pack your tools first, you’ll be able to use them right away to set up your new place.
Pack an Essentials Box
No matter how much you plan ahead, there will always be a few loose ends that pop up at the last minute or things you forget about until you need them. This is why it’s important to pack correctly an essentials box full of items you’ll need right away at your new place.
Some things you might want to include are:
- Cleaning supplies
- Toiletries
- Dishes and silverware
- Linens and towels
- A few changes of clothes
- Pack this box last so that you can easily grab things you need throughout the packing process.
Use Strong Boxes even for small items
You might be tempted to use old cardboard boxes you have lying around the house for your packing needs. However, these are not going to adequately protect your belongings during a move. Instead, invest in some good, strong boxes that are designed for moving.
Wrap Fragile Items
You’ll also need packing paper, foam wrap, or bubble wrap. Perhaps even all three if you can afford it. They’re ideal for securely packaging any of your delicate goods, such as plates and frames. A newspaper should be avoided since the ink may sometimes rub off on other objects and ruin them. Wrap delicate things loosely rather than tightly because doing so will provide more cushioning if they’re dropped or jostled during the move. Read more on our tips for packing fragile items.
Label Everything
Make sure to label all of your boxes with their contents and the room they need to go in. This will make unpacking a lot easier on you and anyone helping you because you won’t have to open every box to figure out where things go.
Use Strong Tape For Heavy items
Invest in some strong packing tape to close up your boxes. This will help to prevent them from bursting open and spilling their contents everywhere.
Glasses – How To Pack Correctly
Glasses are fragile. Typically, it’s because they aren’t packed correctly. It isn’t because people don’t wrap them well. Because glasses are less sturdy when laid down, they break far more often in this posture.
To avoid breakage, fill the box with glasses that are upright and then seal it with three strips of tape on top and bottom. Because metal staples might harm your specs, don’t use or store any in the box. Then, to indicate the box’s fragility, finish by writing “frangible.” The next step is to write down where the box is going. So, if it’s going to the bedroom, write “bedroom” on top of the box.
China
Things like plates that can be placed on top of one another properly must all be individually packaged. It’s also insufficient to just lay one thin layer of paper between each component. Also, do not wrap a set of plates or bowls together without anything in between them. When dishes are moved, this is a certain way to end up with damaged dishes.
Every fragile item must be wrapped alone. There also needs to be an adequate barrier or cushioning between each one so that there isn’t any clattering or banging, which might result in broken objects. You have to be really careful about this in long-distance moving. Because transport trucks are jostled and tossed during the transportation process, you need to ensure your china is safe.
Pots and Pans
You can’t just stuff your pots and pans in a box and call it a day. To prevent them from shattering, you don’t need to pack them in as much padding as you would if they were glass or plastic, but you should at least wrap them in one layer of material to keep them from getting scuffed up. They have an annoying tendency to stick together, so adding a layer of wax or parchment paper between them will help to keep them from sticking and make it difficult to separate them later.
Pack Correctly your Small Electronics
These items are some of the most frequently broken during a move because they’re delicate and easily damaged. Pack them in their original boxes if you still have them. If not, invest in some good quality packing material to keep them safe.
Secure loose cords and wires by wrapping them around the device or tying them together. This will prevent them from getting tangled and damaged. Put each item in its own plastic bag to further protect it from being jostled and scratched during the move.
Silverware
Don’t just toss your silverware into a box willy-nilly. You may wrap flatware in small bunches and tie them up. Then they may be packed safely away in boxes. If you have the time, you might even want to polish your silver before you move so that it’s in good condition when you arrive at your new home.
Pictures and Paintings
Oil-based paintings should be wrapped first with a clear wrap that is non-acidic. You may then cover it with bubble wrap or anything else, just as you would any of your other pictures in frames. After that, put it in the picture box. Tape all sides of the box, so the image doesn’t fall out during transit if the box is turned on its side or upside down.
Label all Sides of the Box
No matter what you’re packing in a box, be sure to label all sides of it. That way, if it gets turned around or flipped over, the movers will still be able to tell where it’s supposed to go.
Lamps and Lamp Shades
Don’t pack these items together in the same box, for starters. The lamp bases should be wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a box with cushioning, such as bunched paper. If the lamps are tiny, you might be able to put more than one inside the container, but make sure there is enough padding between them.
The clean, white paper should only be used to wrap lampshades. A box should not contain more than one lampshade. This is the easiest method to keep the shade clean and in good form.
Don’t Do Puzzles
Don’t make yourself do puzzles when you arrive at your new house. Organize and pack correctly so that your belongings arrive safely and intact.
Select The Best Moving Company
When you’re planning a move, one of the most important things to do is select the best moving company. The best way to find a reputable mover is to ask around for recommendations from friends or family members who have recently moved. You can also check Google review sites to see what others have said about various moving companies.
