When it comes to packing, it’s no secret that most people aren’t very excited to delve into this difficult task. Packing up all your belongings prior to a move can be a long-winded, draining process, and understandably, many individuals regard this as their least favorite part of relocating. But what if packing for your move didn’t have to be a pain? What if you could pack with ease? There’s good news… A simple packing process doesn’t have to be the stuff of dreams! With the right know-how, a successful move with minimal aggravation is around the corner. All you need to do is discover the straightforward steps. Keep reading to find out!
Stock up on high quality supplies
Before you begin packing, you’ll need to acquire all the supplies needed for your big move. Making sure you have an adequate amount of these materials is crucial to ensuring you don’t encounter any hiccups as you go about this task. You should also be mindful to get high quality supplies, so you don’t need to worry about poor performance. Below, we’ve listed some of the items you’ll want to acquire ahead of your relocation.
- Sturdy cardboard boxes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper
- Permanent markers
- Resealable plastic bags
- Moving blankets
Although these are items you should definitely have, you might find that you require some more materials for your own specific circumstances. Whatever the case may be, be sure to thoroughly address what you need before you start packing.
Divide and conquer
One of the biggest mistakes people make when packing is procrastinating the task, leaving only a very short amount of time for something that should be spread across the course of weeks. Packing successfully and with as little stress as possible requires being organized, and organization can’t come when you’re rushing through the process, racing to get to the finish line. Instead, splitting everything into manageable chunks can make a world of difference and ultimately make packing feel less stressful. If possible, ask for assistance from friends and family so you can divide the work even further and handle packing without rushing or worrying.
Fill your boxes fully
An important part of ensuring that your items don’t sustain damage in transit is being mindful of the way you fill your boxes. Although you should never fill your boxes to the point of becoming too heavy, you should place items strategically so you evenly distribute the weight and put as much as you can into each and every box. For instance, you won’t want to place numerous heavy items into one box, as it can then become difficult to carry and runs the risk of breaking when lifted. Instead, you should spread your heavier belongings between boxes and balance them out with light items. Ultimately, what matters is that everything is compact inside your boxes to limit excessive shifting while the boxes are in a car or moving truck or being carried. Take your time to be thoughtful during this process, as this can make a big difference in your packing.
Strategize your box placement
As you fill your moving truck or mobile storage unit with your boxes, it’s important to remember that you can’t stack everything recklessly. Your heaviest boxes should comprise the lowest layer of boxes, sitting at the bottom. If these ones are put at the top, they could easily cause a collapse in the stack or cause other boxes to break. This is dangerous not only for your items, but for you or your movers when you go to unload everything. Be sure to place your heaviest boxes at the bottom and your lightest boxes at the top for the best results.
Label in detail
With the methods discussed here, we emphasize completing your packing in an organized fashion, spread out in small chunks over a longer period of time. As you follow these steps, you should allow time to thoroughly label your boxes with as much detail as possible. You might be thinking, “That seems excessive. I’ll find out what’s in each box as I unpack.” While that may be true, people often fail to remember that unpacking can be just as taxing as packing, and everything doesn’t get unloaded right away. Because of this, you may find yourself digging through boxes trying to find the things you need once you move in. To save your future self some time and energy, be thorough about your labeling. Write in big, bold letters on a few sides of each box, and be as detailed as you can. You’ll thank yourself later!
Protect your items
For your fragile belongings, protection is key. Padding is the name of the game for your breakable items as you move to a new home. Using bubble wrap or packing paper is a step you absolutely cannot skip, as this can be the difference between an item in perfect condition and a broken item when you go to unpack. Another great way to protect your items is by using towels or blankets to wrap these fragile belongings, effectively repurposing what you already have. Adding these forms of padding in your boxes is another way to prevent jostling as your belongings are in transit.
Use the original packaging when possible
If you’ve been keeping the original packaging of some items for a day when you might need them, that day has arrived! For items like kitchen appliances and tech gadgets, using the original boxes provides the perfect protection, specially manufactured to hold the items securely. For instance, the packaging for a coffee machine or a television can offer the best padding for your belongings. Check to see whatever packaging you may have laid around for these special items, as it can really improve the way you pack them.
Pack your essentials separately
Finally, you should have an essentials box or bag packed last for moving day, holding all the items you might need right away. This can be a huge timesaver, preventing you from digging through boxes for whatever you need. It’s a convenient way to stay prepared and stop yourself from feeling stressed, as you’ll already be busy on moving day. Everyone in the family should have their own bag for the big day.
Your best move yet!
Packing doesn’t need to feel like a punishment. With the right steps, you can transform this process from enraging to easy-breezy — and all it takes is some extra time and planning! Now that you know how to pack efficiently, you need a moving company you can trust. Luckily, Olympic Moving & Storage has exactly what you’re looking for to help you complete your most successful move yet. Since 1995, we’ve dedicated ourselves to bringing our customers’ belongings to their new homes as smoothly as possible, and we’re so excited to assist you next Interested in finding out more about our services and our competitively priced rates? Request a quote today, and get your move done the Olympic way!