Pack n Send Blog

Moving is a hassle. Packing for a move for a move is an even bigger hassle. Here are some tips on making packing less of an ordeal.

1. Give yourself enough time. Packing always takes longer than you expect. It's best to start two or three weeks before moving day. Do not start a day or two before you plan to move. It won't work. Trust us.

2. Prioritize. Items you use least should be packed first. Start with china, kitchen implements you don't use daily, CDs, out of season clothes, and books. (This is a great time to sort through your out of season clothes and donate the ones you no longer wear.)

3. Think ahead when you pack. Some things you'll need almost immediately in your new home. Mark those boxes with a special symbol: a star, your initial, the number 1. Put belongings you will want right away — sheets, towels, toiletries, change of clothes — in a suitcase or clothes hamper for easy access.

4. Chose a little-used part of your house to be the packing station. Maybe a spare bedroom, or just a corner. Assemble boxes of assorted sizes and have them ready and waiting. Keep markers, packing tape, and packing materials such as bubble wrap, popcorn, styrofoam peanuts, or unprinted newsprint there.

5. Don't overstuff your boxes with more than you can carry. It's easy to put more in the box than it can hold without breaking. Resist the temptation. Fill large boxes with light stuff, like comforters or clothing,  and put heavy items, like books, in small boxes. As the bumper sticker says: Friends help friends move. Real friends help friends move books.

6. Don't move empty dressers and chests. Leave dressers full. If a chest is empty, fill it with linens. Tuck breakables inside linens or clothes to cushion them. Don't pack empty suitcases. Put them to work.

7. Trash bags are your friends. Sturdy trash bags squish. Fill large trash bags with soft nonbreakables.  Stuff them into trucks where boxes won't fit.

8. Don't pack hanging clothes. Leave clothes on hangers and put them in the back of your car flat. When you get to the new home, hang them up.

9. Don't pack blankets or beach towels. Don't let them be lazy. Use them as pads; this saves on boxes. Wrap and tape blankets around artwork and lamp bases. Stack and pack lampshades, which can easily be damaged in a move. Remove each shade from the lamps. Stack them by size, small to large, then put them together in one box. That way they'll arrive intact.

10.  Mark every box with its contents (pots) and destination (kitchen) on more than one side. Mark if contents are fragile. 

11. Be ready. Have everything packed before the movers arrive or before you get the truck. If furniture needs to be taken apart, disassemble it in advance. Tape nuts and bolts securely to furniture items so they don't get lost. Roll rugs up tight, then tape them. Both professional movers and rental trucks charge by the hour. Being disorganized costs you money. 

If you have questions on packing or moving, contact Pack n Send. We'll be glad to help.