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10 essential packing tips & tricks from professional movers
Packing sucks, but a proper strategy can make it a little less, well, sucky. Here are some tips and tricks from professional movers to get you started.
Of all the headaches involved in moving, packing is one of the most onerous. Safely boxing up everything you own is intimidating under the best circumstances, let alone when you're coordinating the rest of your move.
Thankfully, the experts in the moving industry have seen it all, and they know how to make the process a lot easier to manage. Who better to get advice from than the moving companies themselves? Here are some expert tips and tricks from moving companies to streamline packing and ensure all your stuff arrives safely.
Before you pack
1) Start early
The earlier you start, the more methodical and organized you'll likely be with your packing. HubertWilmot Moving & Storage, a moving company based in Virginia, recommends you start as soon as you know you're moving.
"As soon as you know that you will be moving, you want to begin creating an action plan for how you will get all of your items packed before moving day," the company says. "Take this time to sit down and make your game plan for how you will achieve everything before your move."
If you don't have a moving plan yet, you can check out Yahoo Local's comprehensive moving checklist to get started.
2) Declutter
One of the best things you can do to simplify your move is to declutter before you pack. If you've been in your current home for years, you've likley collected a lot of stuff you no longer need or use.
To get the most out of your decluttering project, Nancy Irvine, president of the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), recommends setting aside a day or two per room, prioritizing items you haven't used in two years or more. "Other items around the house like out-of-style clothes and old sporting equipment are going to be easy to get rid of," Irvine added. "Some may not be as easy to let go."
It can also be helpful to create dedicated piles in each room for what you want to keep, sell, donate or throw away. Once you complete a room, look for local charities that may need your donations, particularly for clothes and other basics.
3) Secure the proper boxes and packing materials
You can't do your packing without boxes, and you want to make sure you have the right ones. For most things, you'll use cardboard boxes or recyclable plastic bins (which you can rent and eventually return), and you want to choose ones that will be easy to transport and you can't overload.
"The rule of thumb is that each box should not weigh more than 25 pounds," says Anton's Moving Company, based in Massachusetts. "Remember that you may have to move the boxes yourself, from one room to another, movers have to carry them up and down flights of stairs, so make sure you're able to lift them easily."
You also want to have plenty of packing material on hand, like Bubble Wrap, packing paper, and tape. Blankets and towels can also be used in a pinch. You can check out our guides to the best Bubble Wrap and packing paper and where to find free moving boxes to get started.
Pro tips for packing perfection
1) Pack a dedicated box for essentials
On your moving day, you're probably not going to unpack everything at once. Make things easier on yourself by packing a box or bag with the essentials you'll need right away.
"Pack a box or two of essential items, like clothing, chargers, electronics, and basic cookware," says 495 Movers based out of Maryland. "Make sure that these items are set aside and clearly marked so they do not wind up on the moving van."
2) Label everything
Learning how to strategically label and organize moving boxes is one of the most important parts of a smooth move. If you're moving yourself, you can easily write the name of the desired the box should go to with a Sharpie. Don't feel limited to one side of the box; multiple labels make it easy to identify a box from any angle. Or consider using one of the best smart labels, which use QR codes to digitally track boxes.
If you're hiring a moving company, you can handle things a little differently.
"Whether it’s a bright permanent marker, colorful tape, or your kid’s school paint, color-coding your boxes can speed up your move," says 3-Men Movers, a moving company based in Texas. "Movers find it helpful to know where boxes go based on their color labels, which helps them move faster (example: red for fragile items, blue for baby toys, etc.)"
3) Use suitcases for clothes
If you have luggage you need to move anyway, it can pull double duty by carrying your clothes.
"Instead of worrying about what you’re going to do with your wardrobe, break out your travel luggage and use it to pack clean clothes before your move," 3-Men Movers says. "Your suitcase is much safer than a box, so this is a great way to protect any fabric that is thin, beaded, fringed, delicate, or otherwise expensive."
The company recommends putting your clothes in vacuum-sealed moving bags or wardrobe boxes to fit more into each suitcase.
4) Make a plan for those plants
Moving companies usually won't move your live houseplants. Some states have regulations against it, and some companies have their own policies against moving them. In short, you're responsible for getting your live plants safely to your new home.
"Professional moving companies won’t move plants because they typically won’t survive the move," says Element Moving & Storage, a company based in Texas. "Most moving trucks aren’t temperature-controlled and the intense heat or cold that develops in a moving truck can quickly kill your plants."
Moving plants can be a delicate process, but there are some steps you can take to make sure they make the journey safely. Check out our guide on how to safely move plants for more.
5) Properly wrap your dishes
Dishes can be tricky to pack because they're so delicate. Fortunately, you can protect them by carefully wrapping them in packing paper and stacking them carefully inside boxes. For plates and bowls, the process is straightforward.
Related: What's the best way to pack dishes for moving and shipping
"Lay several layers of packing paper on a flat surface," says United Van Lines. "Start from a corner, wrapping diagonally and continuously tucking in the overlapping edges until the plate is completely wrapped. For added protection, tape down any loose ends."
Cups and glasses should be wrapped similarly, with extra padding added to any handles or pieces that extend out from the main body. Place glasses in a box taller than they are, with packing material between them to fill gaps and hold them in place.
6) Keep important documents separate
While you're packing, U-Haul recommends you keep important documents separate from the rest of your stuff and always keep them with you while moving.
"This includes wallets, cell phones, important documents of any kind, and medication," U-Haul says. "Pack these items in a small box or bag and keep it with you so you can access it at any time. You won’t have easy access once the truck is loaded and moving."
7) Make a path for your movers
If you're hiring a moving company, 3-Men Movers recommends making a path through your home as the last thing you do before your movers get there. Most movers charge by the hour, so the quicker they can get in and out, the better for your wallet.
"Moving crews tend to load the heaviest items into their trucks first, so it’s essential for them to have access to these and to the exits," 3-Men Movers says. "Move any packed boxes off to the side or against the walls so they're out of the way when movers are carrying heavy furniture or walking by."
Wrapping (or packing) up
If you follow these tips, you should have a much smoother move than if you pack randomly at the last minute. Beyond packing, many other tips and tricks can keep your move on track. Check out our roundup of six simple tips to prepare for a stress-free move for more.
