If you plan to pack your boxes, you must do it correctly. Failure to do so can result in damaged items that your moving company may not reimburse you for. Additionally, correct packing methods will make unpacking that much easier. So to make sure you’ve packed your belongings in the best way possible, follow these four quick tips:
Grouping:
Try to keep the contents of each room packed with similar items. Don’t put bedroom stuff, living stuff, and basement stuff all in the same box if you can help it. This will make unpacking easier as you won’t need to lug the same box to 3 different rooms. When you start packing, make sure you place the heavier items at the bottom so they don’t damage any lighter items packed in the same box.
Protection:
Place a layer of protection at the bottom of the box and on top of everything once the box is filled (i.e. packing peanuts, bubble wrap, packing paper, towels etc.) Make sure to wrap any fragile items, so if you are packing your dinner china, you will want to wrap each item in a protective layer. Also, cover anything that you think could damage something else (i.e. a heavy object that might rattle around and break another thing).
Weight & Fill:
You don’t need to fill your boxes all the way, but if you don’t, make sure to fill the space with packing materials. An item that shifts during transit can cause damage to other items in the box. Make sure the weight of the box doesn’t exceed 30 pounds – not too heavy for you to carry and not over-packed that it might rupture during transit.
Closing Up:
Seal the boxes with strong packing tape, so they don’t open up during transit. Also, make sure to label each box with its contents so you can find everything more easily when you unpack. You can even create a number system – put a number on the box and a separate sheet of paper notes in that numbered box.
