If you’ve already found your movers (hopefully us!), it’s time to face the most daunting part of any relocation: The Pack. Packing isn’t just about throwing things in boxes; it’s about strategy. Proper technique and the right supplies are the difference between opening a box of intact heirloom china and opening a box of expensive puzzles.
1. The “Essential Four” Supplies
Before you tape a single flap, make sure you have the professional’s toolkit:
- Heavy-Duty Packaging Tape: Skip the dollar store rolls. You need 2-inch wide, pressure-sensitive plastic tape.
- Packing Paper (Newsprint): Avoid actual newspapers—the ink can smudge and ruin your belongings. Use clean, unprinted packing paper for wrapping fragile items.
- Wardrobe Boxes: These allow you to move clothes directly from the closet to the truck on their hangers. It’s a massive time-saver.
- Moving Blankets & Plastic Wrap: These aren’t just for the movers. Wrapping your dresser in plastic wrap prevents drawers from sliding open during the transit.
2. The Golden Question: “How Many Boxes Do I Need?”
Overestimating leads to clutter; underestimating leads to mid-night runs to the store. To take the guesswork out of your prep, we recommend using a professional tool to get an accurate count based on the size of your home.
Moving Box Calculator
Before you go shopping for supplies, use this Moving Box Packing Calculator. Just plug in the number of bedrooms and your lifestyle “density,” and it will give you a breakdown of how many small, medium, and large boxes you actually need.
3. Pro-Tips for the Packing Process
Don’t Leave “Air” in the Box
A half-empty box is a crushed box. If a box isn’t full, fill the gaps with crumpled packing paper or linens. The goal is to make the box solid so that when we stack another box on top of it, it doesn’t cave in.
The “Weight Limit” Rule
If you can’t lift the box easily, neither can the bottom of the box. Try to keep every box under 30–40 pounds. Pack heavy items (books, canned goods) in small boxes and light items (pillows, towels) in the largest boxes.
Tape the “H” Pattern
Don’t just put one strip of tape across the middle. Tape along the center seam, and then tape across the two side edges. This forms a “capital H” and reinforces the structural integrity of the box.
4. Special Handling: Fragiles
When packing plates, always pack them vertically (like records in a crate), never flat. Plates are much stronger on their edges. Use plenty of padding at the bottom and top of the box to create a “cushion zone.”
Need a Hand?
P&S Movers is here to help with as much or as little as you need. Whether you want us to handle the heavy lifting or the entire packing process from start to finish, we’ve got you covered.