When moving to a new home or putting your stuff into a storage unit, knowing how to pack your boxes can relieve some of the stress of moving. The most important thing you can do to protect your belongings is to pack your boxes properly.
Use your smaller boxes for the heavier items and the larger boxes for lighter items. You don't want to get stuck with a bunch of boxes that no one can lift.
When packing any box, always make sure the heaviest items are on the bottom. This goes for all items, fragile or not.
Take advantage of anything you have that has empty space within it. Items such as pots, can be used to store kitchen utensils to maximize your use of space.
When gathering up boxes to use for the move, quality goes a long way. Use boxes that were designed for moving as much as possible. They are sturdy, clean and you will have a much easier time packing the moving truck if all of your boxes are not random sizes.
If you need to go with some used boxes, there should be no rips, tears, or stains on the box. Try to stay away from businesses like grocery stores, restaurants and liquor stores. These are the usual popular choice; however these boxes are more likely to attract insects. You do not want to risk bringing these into your new home or storage unit.
At Riel Park RV & Self Storage we sell quality boxes and offer bundle pricing.
In addition to moving boxes, you will want to take advantage of other packing supplies available that will make packing much easier and keep your belongings in good condition. If you are storing your household items in a storage unit it is very important to pack and store them properly. Have the following items on hand before you start to pack.
Packing paper
Bubble wrap
Packing tape
Permanent marker
Zipper storage bags (for miscellaneous "junk drawer" items and liquids)
Stretch wrap
Wardrobe boxes are great for clothing that you do not want to be folded. They prevent creasing, wrinkling, and damage to items with delicate fabrics. Once you are finished hanging your clothing in your wardrobe box, you may end up with some extra space at the bottom that is perfect for adding small items like pillows and slippers.
Wardrobe boxes can also be used for big, awkward items like sports equipment, shovels, or even large house plants.
Begin by padding the bottom of each box with packing paper or bubble wrap. This provides some extra cushioning for your belongings.
Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap or packing paper. Bubble wrap is better for your more thin, delicate items and packing paper is better for slightly sturdier objects. For anything like glasses or coffee mugs, stuff some crumpled up paper inside. Plates and picture frames should be packed vertically to help prevent breakage.
Heavy items, such as books, are best for small boxes. Pack the largest and heaviest items on the bottom. Once the box has been filled, use plenty of packing paper to fill any gaps so your things are not moving around while moving.
Some heavy items may be too large for a box. In this instance, wrap them with a moving blanket and make sure to tape down the ends of the blanket.
For all of your open containers of liquid; such as shampoo and conditioner, hand soap and cleaners, make sure each one is in its own zipper storage bag. This way, if something pops open while you're moving, you'll have a small, contained mess instead of a big one and you won't risk compromising the box.
Labeling your boxes is not only essential for making unpacking easier, it's also useful when the move is happening or while putting your stuff in a self storage unit.
For boxes with delicate items in them, write "Fragile" on the box. You can also put "this end up" to ensure that these boxes are handled with a bit more care. This is also good to write on any boxes that contain liquids to help prevent any spills.
Make sure to always write "heavy" on any heavy boxes. This gives whoever is lifting them a heads up and decreases the chance of them hurting themselves when picking it up.
When in need of packing or moving supplies come to Riel Park RV & Self Storage. We sell boxes, locks, bubble wrap, packing paper and much more. With climate controlled storage and unheated drive up storage, our St Albert storage facility can accommodate all your household storage needs.
