Packing your boxes is a big part of your move — boxes are the standard way to move your items, but they are also the most convenient way. When you pack them, however, you want to do it well.
That’s why we put together 5 simple tips on how to pack your boxes like a pro.
Making sure your boxes are stackable is one of the most important things you can do when packing your boxes for moving!
Tip #1. Make your boxes stackable.
Making your boxes stackable is the first tip on how to pack your boxes. You can do this by making sure that the boxes are similar sizes. Finding moving boxes are your best bet since they are made specifically for moving, and therefore they are designed to be stacked on top of each other. They also all come in similar sizes. You can find moving boxes in your community through Facebook groups, purchase them at stores or if you’re moving with us, you can purchase new and used boxes from us.
Tip #2. Fill empty spaces.
Related to making sure your boxes are stackable, you must make sure that there are no empty spaces in your boxes when packing them.
This is because of two reasons:
1) if you fill the empty spaces, the boxes don’t cave when they are being stacked.
2) leaving empty spaces in your boxes allows your items to move around more and bump into each other during the move, creating a bigger possibility of breakage.
You can fill empty spaces with towels, clothes, small pillows or similar items as filling. ** And more scrunched up paper to fill any voids or open spaces.
Tip #3. Line the bottom of a box.
Sometimes, boxes can be dropped accidentally. This can lead to breakage of the items on the inside, especially if they are fragile items such as plates or glassware. Plates and dishes should be packed so that they are not bearing weight on each other.
We recommend that you use dish packs (small cardboard cells that you can put inside your boxes) or stack them vertically.
In order to prevent items from breaking, we recommend that you line the bottom of the box with extra packing paper and/or bubble wrap.
This absorbs the impact of the box being dropped, cushioning the items on the inside even more. Packing your items properly is important as well, see our previous blog posts on how to pack glassware and how to pack your dishes to maximize protection.
Make sure your boxes can be closed when you pack your boxes for moving!
Read More: What To Do On The Day Before Your Move
Tip #4. Don’t overpack your boxes.
When packing boxes for moving, although you want to make sure you are using up as much box space as possible, what you don’t want to do is overpack them.
This means having so many items in them that they are not able to be closed properly, or having the box be too heavy (see our next tip for more information on this!).
Make sure to follow the line where the box folds, and not let your items go over the line. This allows some space for the box to be closed properly. Closed boxes should be able to be stacked easily.
Tip #5. Ensure the box is not too heavy.
When packing moving boxes, it is very easy to make your boxes too heavy, especially if you’re packing small but heavy items such as books. If a box is too heavy there is a higher chance of the box ripping and causing damage to the items inside. Ensure all boxes are approximately the same weight so when they stack they don’t damage each other. Use small boxes for heavy items like books.
When packing you want to make sure you are able to lift the boxes yourself, so the weight you choose will determine how hard you will work if you are unpacking or organizing in your new home.
“If you don’t want to do the heavy lifting yourself, consider hiring a moving company in Vancouver like us, Kleiner Services. Our teams are highly trained to work together to lift and move heavy household items and contents safely.
These packing tips can be helpful, but if you have any concerns or prefer not to do it yourself, don’t hesitate to give us a call.