Pack Your Items to Move Like the Professionals

If you're concerned about arriving at your new home with broken dishes or cracked picture frames, learn to pack like the professionals. The key is to have the right packaging materials, and plenty of them. Take the time to pack your items properly with the following tips and you won't be afraid to open the boxes when you get to your new home.

Start with the Right Packaging Materials

When you don't have the right packing supplies to begin with, you'll be tempted to compromise and wrap items in cheap or ineffective materials. If you run out of something, stop and get more instead of trying to find a workaround. Get this list of items together before you start your packing project:

• packing boxes in different sizes
• original boxes for appliances, if you still have them
• rolls of bubble wrap
• cardboard sheets
• foam packing sheets
• rolls or sheets of packing paper
• box cutters and scissors
• packing tape

You can always take back unused packing materials, so pick up more than you think you'll need.

General Packing Tips

For all items, here are a few tips to keep them safe during the move:

• Use the smallest box that will hold the items. Add enough padding around the items to prevent them from shifting in the box.
• Put similar items in the same box. For example, pack books together in one box, glassware in another. Don't mix item types or you'll increase the risk of breakage.
• Don't skimp on packing materials. When in doubt, use more than you think you'll need to cushion the item.
• Don't use newspaper for packing. It leaves ink smudges on items.
• When you're not sure of the best way to pack an item, especially something fragile, contact a moving company. Their professionals can tell you the best way to pack the item to keep it safe.

Specific Packing Instructions

• Good china—Wrap each plate with bubble wrap and seal with packing tape. Crumple plain packing paper onto the bottom of a medium-sized box for padding. Place each plate in the box on its edge, not flat. Leave several inches between the plates and the sides of the box and fill that space with more crumpled paper.
• Cups and glasses—Fill each cup and glass with crumpled packing paper, then wrap each in more paper. Line the bottom of a medium-sized box with crumpled paper. Place a layer of wrapped glasses in the box, opening down. Place cardboard sheets on this layer and begin another layer. Continue this until the box is full, then fill remaining spaces with crumpled paper.
• Picture frames—Line the bottom of a medium-sized box with crumpled paper. Wrap each picture frame individually with packing paper. Put the frames on their edge in the box, stacking them next to each other. Place foam or bubble wrap sheets between each picture frame. Fill the box with crumpled paper to prevent the frames from shifting.
• Tea pots, figurines and other irregularly-shaped items—Wrap bubble wrap all around the items and secure with packing tape. For extra padding, fold cardboard sheets around the item and tape it again. If the item has multiple parts, such as a tea pot with a lid, wrap each item separately.

To find the packing materials you need, find a supplier in your area like Security Self Storage.