House Packing Tips
In this article, we will discuss the best tips we can provide our customers when preparing to move all of your possessions, to a new house.
Materials
Having the correct materials is by far the most important thing for a stress-free pack. For an average home we recommend at least the following:
- Double walled boxes in 2 sizes. It is important to have large and smaller boxes, smaller boxes for heavy items large for lighter bulkier items. Double wall are far superior to the weaker cheap single walled boxes.
- Strong packing tape – cheap tape is often not sticky enough to create a solid box
- Packing paper – great for wrapping items but also for padding out boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Marker pens
Other Materials Can Include
- Mattress covers
- Wardrobe boxes
- Wine boxes
- Shrink wrap
- Extra thick black sacks
- Labels
- Cool box for fridge / freezer
- Television boxes
- Sofa covers
Packing Room by Room
You want to go around room by room and pack away all non-essential items, leaving the essentials to the day or 2 before you move.
Labelling all boxes clearly either with a marker or labels is very important for a stress-free offload. Thinking of your new home, create names for each room so when you arrive on move day you can explain which room is which and the removal staff can unload without having to ask you.
Bedrooms
- Wardrobe items should be transferred into wardrobe boxes or taped up in bags. All clothes can be loaded into boxes or bags
- Bedding into bags or box
- Personal belongings / small electrical into boxes
- Label everything bedroom 1/2/3 and so on for easy offload at your new property
Bathroom
All liquids to be packed into bags with the lids closed and then into a box so they stay upright to avoid any leaks.
Kitchen
By far the most time-consuming room of the home.
- Wrap all utensils and cutlery in packing paper and put them into strong boxes. Watch for sharp knives, you can buy blade protectors or knife blocks can be wrapped complete in shrink wrap and put in a box
- Plates, glasses and mugs can all be wrapped in packing paper and stood in a box, try to be uniform with sizes so you can load the boxes in rows using more packing paper between layers
- Pots and pans can be stacked but you want packing paper between them to avoid scratches
- Microwaves and other appliances can be bubble wrapped and boxed with packing paper to secure them
Living / Dining Room
- Pack all small items from draws and cupboards into boxes again using packing paper to fill any voids
- If you have the original box for electrical equipment like televisions then perfect, if not wrap them in bubble wrap
- Small plants can be boxed upright with packing paper to stop them moving
- Wrap pictures and mirrors in bubble wrap
Garage and Garden
- Pack smaller items into boxes
- All mowers and strimmers etc should be cleaned and drained of fuel
- Bikes may require packing if they are valuable, speak with your mover if you require additional protection for your bike
Preparing Boxes
All boxes should be the correct way up if marked on there. Start by tightly taping one end of the box, use 2 pieces of tape, one in the middle first then one over each edge of the first bit for extra strength.
Turn the box over and you can start loading, if you feel something maybe too sharp for the edge or bottom of the box place some packing paper in first to protect it.
Make sure you can tape the top of the box down so it is flat and level. Clearly label the boxes with which room and rough contents of what it has. This makes it easy for your movers and also yourself when it comes to unpacking.
At DS Movements we can offer a full pack and wrap service, we come in the day before your move and go around room by room completing your pack. We include material prices within the quote for packing.
We also provide packaging materials for you to buy at great rates should you prefer to pack yourself.
