Moving and Packing Tips

Moving is a stressful time and a huge task that requires good organization as well as the right moving boxes and supplies.

Getting Started

Estimate the time it will take to pack your home or apartment.  Packing time can vary according to the situation but as a rule of thumb you should plan on one full day to pack each room. 

Estimate the amount of moving boxes and supplies you need to make the move.  If you are uncertain what you need you can use our box estimator for a ballpark estimate.  This is only an estimate, if you think you have lots of stuff in storage and closets you may need more boxes than the estimate.  It’s a good idea to have more than you need so you won’t run out of moving boxes and supplies at “crunch time”.

Using the Right Box – It’s best to use sturdy new boxes in uniform sizes for your move.  You can stack the boxes by size which allows you to quickly pull out the right-size box while you are packing.

Moving Boxes:

Small Moving Boxes (16 x 12 x 12) Use these boxes for smaller heavier items like books, DVD’s, tapes, bottles, and photos. 

Medium Moving Boxes (16 x 16 x 14) Use these boxes for mid-weight items like toys, pots and pans and serving items.

Large Moving Boxes (18 x 18 x 16) Use these boxes for larger light to mid-weight items like centerpieces, trays, and light weight radios or speakers.

Extra Large Moving Boxes (24 x 24 x 15) Use these boxes for lightweight items like pillows, comforters, and clothes.

Kitchen Dish Pack Box (Doublewall) (18 x 18 x16) Use these boxes for items requiring the extra strength provided by double-thick cardboard like plates, glasses, vases, and collectables.

Wardrobe Boxes (24 x 24 x 34), (24 x 24 x 40) Our boxes are made of extra sturdy 44ECT, they come with a metal hanger bar, so you can simply transfer items from your closet to the wardrobe box.  Our wardrobes come in two sizes, a shorter one for shirts and folded-over pants and a taller one for coats and dresses.  Some people keep these boxes and use them for storage all year round.

File Boxes (15 x 12 ¼ x 10) Use our one-piece (attached lids) file boxes to pack and store your legal and letter-size files as well as manuals, receipts and other documents.  The boxes have an easy-open top and no taping in needed.

Using the Right Packing Supplies – you will need a variety of packing supplies to wrap, cushion and seal your goods.  Don’t skimp on supplies it can make all of the difference in moving your items safely without breakage.  If you have the proper packing tools and supplies it will make the job go faster and easier.

Moving Supplies:

Bubble and Foam Wraps.  Use bubble and foam wraps to provide extra protection for your fragile items like dishes and collectables.  Our bubble and foam wraps come in rolls perforated every 12” for easy use.

Packing Paper.  Use packing paper to wrap any of your breakable items or to line the bottom or top of your boxes for additional cushioning.   Our unprinted newsprint sheets come in 24” x 36” sheets packed in 25# bags.

Stretch Wrap.  Use stretch wrap to protect your furniture or other items from dust, dirt or scratches.  Wrap dressers or other items to secure drawers or other movable parts while they are being moved.   Our stretch wrap comes 5” x 1000’ on a handle for easy use.

Moving Blankets.  On the day of your move when you are packing the truck use moving blankets to protect large items like furniture, bicycles and appliances. Our (72” x 80”) moving blankets are quilted with an extra batting to give them extra cushioning.   

Mattress Bags.  Use mattress bags to protect your mattress or box spring from dust, dirt and stains during the move.  Our mattress bags come in 4 sizes to fit your twin, full, queen and king size mattress or box spring.

Tapes and Tape Dispenser  Use plastic or acrylic packing tape to seal your boxes.  If you have lots of packing to do a tape gun will make it faster and easier to seal your boxes.  Allow about four to five yards or tape for every box.  Our rolls of tape are 2” X 55yds. 

Smart Move Label Tapes  Use these tapes to tape and label your boxes at the same time.  The color coded packing tape has the room printed right on the tape allowing you to tape and label your boxes in one quick step. Because the boxes are easily identifiable it reduces the amount of time it takes you to unload the truck.  Each roll is 2” x 30yds.

Moving Tips

All your boxes should be packed with things that go together and should be clearly labeled with contents as well as the room destination for easy unloading and unpacking.  Use Smart Move Label Tape or a permanent marker to label each box.

Wrap fragile items separately before placing them in the box.  Boxes containing fragile items should be marked as fragile for extra care on the day of the move. Use Smart Move Label Tape or a permanent marker to label the box “Fragile”.

Always line the bottom of the box with either bubble or foam wraps for extra cushioning.

Any items that you may need while you are packing or unpacking should be put in a separate box and taken with you the day of the move for easy access.

Items you may need first when you get to your destination should be segregated and packed in a box marked “Open First” so it can be easily identified when you get to your destination. Use Smart Move Label Tape or a permanent marker to label the box with “Open First”.

Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.

Start by packing the items you seldom use like the items in the attic or garage. 

Pack the items you use everyday last.

Pack heavier items at the bottom of the box to avoid damaging the more fragile items in the box.

Use cushioning materials like bubble wrap, foam sheets and packing paper to fill in the open spaces in the boxes to minimize breakage.

Pack your valuables, important documents and family photos separately and keep them with you throughout the move.

All the seams of the box should be taped with “2 box tape.  For heavier boxes you should also apply tape in the opposite direction for added support.

Pack boxes so you can easily lift them on the day of the move.  Even though you may be able to pack the box to 50lbs you may only be able to lift 30lbs.  Determine a box weight that you can handle keeping in mind that it shouldn’t exceed 50lbs.  Pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes to control the weight.

Leave behind and dispose of hazardous materials.  You do not want to be liable for the damage these materials can cause during the move to people, your possessions or the truck.  Contact your local municipality for the proper disposal information of hazardous materials.