So you're making a big move soon, and you want to handle all the packing yourself. Packing is its own science, and there's a lot you should know. If you do it wrong, you risk damaging your valuables during transportation. That's why we've prepared this extensive guide so you can get everything packed up nice and tight.
Sort and Organize Beforehand
A few weeks or even a month before your move date, it's a good idea to start organizing. Is your garage a total nightmare with clutter and junk everywhere? Then now is the time to sort things out. That way, you don't face an overwhelming cleanup a few days before moving.
If you plan like this, you can take things nice and easy and declutter one area at a time. Once you do this step, you'll thank yourself come move time. Everything will be neat and organized, making it much easier to pack. You can also take things a step further by grouping similar items together.
Get the Right Supplies
Lots of stores sell cardboard moving boxes for very cheap. You can get small to medium-sized boxes for about 0.24 to 0.50 cents in general. If you follow step one and sort out your home beforehand, it shouldn't be hard to know how many you'll need. As a general rule of thumb, buy a few more than you think you'll need just as a backup.
Don't forget to pick up some proper moving tape while you're at the store. It can make a big difference in securing your boxes during the move. Also, look up a tutorial to properly tape a moving container if you don't already know how. Also, never tuck the corners instead of using tape. This can lead to all your items falling out of the bottom if it gets too heavy.
Also, electronics like TVs require special boxes. Make sure you have enough to move all your delicate electronics. Don't forget to pick up some magic markers if you don't have any at home. These are crucial for labeling your boxes, so you don't get confused when unpacking.
Finally, you'll need high-quality packing materials and wrap. These are generally cheap and can be found in lots of different hardware and retail stores.
Pack with Purpose
It's essential to remain aware of what goes in each box. For example, you don't want to pack hard, metal objects on top of delicate and fragile valuables. Also, each package requires a decent amount of high-quality packing material. Make sure that each box is packed tight enough that nothing moves inside. You need to tuck packing materials on the top, bottom, and around each side. That will ensure that your items won't shift around during transportation.
Sofas, chairs, and other furniture all need to be shrink-wrapped. Be generous with the amount of wrap that you use for each piece of furniture. Ideally, you want to wrap it around three times completely. If your furniture pieces can disassemble, then doing so is recommended. That is especially true for bed frames!
We hope this guide serves you well during your next move. Remember, start preparing early, and you'll have a much easier time with things!