8 Packing Tips You’ll Remember for Life
While there are people who are entirely comfortable letting professional movers handle virtually every aspect of their move—right down to putting the cap on the toothpaste and rolling up the “Welcome” mat—most of us are not only willing to do some of the work ourselves, we want to do it.
We want to save as much money as we can, sure, but we also want to be certain that especially delicate and sensitive items are cared for properly. This is a completely understandable impulse because no matter how professional a moving company is, the person who actually owns the stuff has a unique attachment to it—and a level of commitment to its proper care—that no one else, least of all a third-party mover, can match.
Read Here: Top 10 Moving in Tips
So when moving day finally arrives, it’s inevitable that most of us will have already done a ton of work getting things ready.
And while packing is more an art than a science, definitely, there are some general principles—and some very specific hacks—that can help anyone who’s interested in getting their stuff ready for quick and easy transport.
In the end, it’s all about keeping things simple and using your imagination. Some of these tips have filtered down from the pros, but most are a direct result of personal experience (that being my personal experience). On more than one occasion while moving I had to find a solution on the fly, and I found one, much to my own amazement.
Know Here: Find Free Packing Supplies
So give some or all of these packing tips a try, and if you have your own packing hacks you’d like to share, blend them in with this list and do everything you can to get them online, via social media, to help others. Let’s do what we can to make life just a little bit easier for our fellow citizens as they embark on one of life’s bigger challenges: pulling up stakes and beginning again somewhere new!
Here we go…
1. The Russian Doll Technique
This technique for packing boxes isn’t a secret, but there is an art to it. I started mastering elements of this approach when I was traveling internationally. I’d put an “essentials bag” inside a slightly larger bag of extremely useful items, and then I’d position the whole thing inside a much larger bag or suitcase containing items that, if push came to shove, I could live without.
Packing items in this way yielded major benefits. The whole idea was based on saving space, but it also gave me the best possible chance to adjust rapidly if my circumstances changed. If the airline suddenly insisted, for example, that I had to check my larger bag, I could remove the slightly smaller bag and board with it. If I was unable to find suitable space to store that bag, and the stewards were preparing to take it from me to do whatever, I could at least remove the smallest bag of all so that I still had my most important personal possessions with me at all times.
Read Here: Find Moving Boxes for Packing
The Russian doll technique, as noted above, relies on the concept of nesting—that is, packing smaller bags or boxes inside of larger bags or boxes. This saves space at every point of your moving journey, but it also saves tremendous energy because it allows you to impose order and efficiency on the way your things are organized. Everything stays together. In your home office, you can transition seamlessly from moving pens and scissors and knick-knacks to large and heavy computer equipment, nesting smaller boxes inside of larger boxes. I
n your kitchen you can do exactly the same thing, transitioning from fridge magnets and meat thermometers to cleaver knives, small appliances (like your coffee maker), and finally, microwaves, giant pots, and larger appliances, with little boxes inside of bigger boxes, and the bigger boxes inside the biggest box of all. Ultimately, everything ends up in the same box.
Read Here: Bedroom Packing Tips from the Experts
Not only is this one of the easiest ways to pack—it has the added benefit of keeping all your related stuff together. When you unpack at your destination, it’s just a matter of dumping a single box, or a couple of large boxes at most, into each room. And, of course, given that most moving companies charge on the basis of volume, at least in part, the Russian doll technique is a fantastic way to fill every nook and cranny of your bags and boxes. Any unused space is, obviously, a big waste of money. And those are resources you’re likely to need down the road!
Additional note: you should always save all of your Amazon and Walmart boxes in the run-up to a move. But even if you don’t, and you need more boxes, they’re not hard to find at the local supermarket. Both companies rely on nesting for the sake of efficiency and cost savings, and you should definitely follow their example.
2. Ditch the Bubble Wrap and embrace the Blanket!
Blogs that advise people on how to pack properly inevitably mention the value of packing paper and bubble wrap. But here’s the thing: unless you’re transporting the Hope Diamond or the Mona Lisa, you probably don’t need bubble wrap. In fact, you have everything you need already in the form of your clothes, your towels, your linens, your drapes, and anything else you may be moving that’s extraordinarily soft, cushioning, and pliable. Using these items makes bubble wrap redundant—and the approach is also environmentally friendly in the sense that it cuts down on the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills. Tables, chairs, and dresser drawers can be cushioned by sheets, blankets, duvets, comforters, or even blinds.
Read Here: How to pack dishes for a move
Pictures and paintings can be wrapped the same way. Fragile jewelry and other items can be stuffed into socks, which can then be stuffed inside of shoes. Lamps, mugs, and drinking glasses can be wrapped in dresses, sheets, t-shirts, towels, or anything else that fits the bill. Smaller, more delicate furniture can be protected using sheets and blankets. And remember: every bit of space inside any box or bag is a place where a t-shirt or even a pair of underwear can fit. This may all seem a bit strange at first, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
3. Compress Your Clothing—and Roll it!
Sloppy and inefficient packing of clothing is something that virtually all of us have indulged in at one point or another, particularly in rushed circumstances. But by packing clothes more carefully, we can save space and money.
Assuming you’ve still got a lot of clothing to pack after you use some of it to protect your more delicate items (as noted above), use compression bags for some of the easier stuff—like jeans, t-shirts, and dresses—so that you have the room you need to pack your winter jackets, ski equipment, and thicker sweaters.
Also try rolling a lot of your clothing before placing it in a box, because this approach (while difficult for those of us who suffer from OCD and need our clothes to be perfectly folded to be happy) means your clothes will take up a LOT less space. Another benefit of the rolling approach is that it tends to result in fewer wrinkles and creases, which in turn means less ironing and less work! Brilliant! Or, if not brilliant, then at least imaginative.
4. Attach Detailed Labels to Your Boxes
It’s hardly earth-shattering news that you should label your boxes after you fill them up with your stuff. But what a lot of people tend to neglect are the details. Details! Details make all the difference, especially if you’re putting your things in storage for a bit. If you store a box without labeling it properly, good luck trying to remember what’s in it a few months later. You’ll have no idea what’s inside or where the box belongs.
If writing detailed lists by hand on the side of the box is too much for you, make up some quick labels using a laptop and a printer.
Read Here: How to pack clothes for a move
Make up a couple of labels for each box that lists the box’s contents in detail. It’s obviously not necessary to differentiate between your shot glasses and your favorite coffee mug, but do make it clear that the box contains cups. List everything inside, especially stuff you’ll need to unpack ASAP after you arrive.
This way you’ll have a pretty good idea of where everything is when it’s 8 am, the day after your move, and you’re in desperate need of a cup of coffee but can barely get off the sofa. You’ll be able to find what you need fast. If you’re not using sticky labels, tape your list to the top and one side of the box using painter’s tape (which is also invaluable for keeping small items like pens together).
You’ll thank yourself later, believe me!
Additional note: it never hurts to use terminology that you—and you alone—know when you’re packing and labeling your most valuable items. It’s OK to be creative—just make sure that you remember that “hd” means “holiday decor” and that “jly” means “jewelry.” Some people prefer to simply number or color code boxes, using different-colored stickers, and then create a master list—a manifest of sorts—that contains more specific information about what each box contains. If that’s an approach that appeals to you, by all means follow it. Just don’t lose the list!
5. Document All Furniture Disassembly and Keep All Parts Together
If you plan to do as much of the preliminary work of moving as you can, it’s inevitable that you’re going to have to disassemble stuff. Be forewarned! Disassembly is rarely the problem. The problem—almost always—is re-assembly. It’s basically the equivalent of the idea that breaking stuff is a whole lot easier than putting it back together. For this reason, try to document exactly how you take apart certain beds, tables, chairs, etc.
Photos are great, but video is even better.
I once had a devil of a time reassembling a bed frame I collapsed and boxed in about 45 seconds. It took me two hours to put it back together, for the sole reason that I was too lazy to record how I’d broken it down. Also, furniture disassembly and boxing offer a perfect opportunity to use the nesting or Russian doll technique. Put all screws, ends, clips, plastic bits, and supports in a smaller bag or box that you can then deposit inside a larger bag or box carrying the bigger pieces. Keep it all together, with parts separated according to size. And label the entire thing following the tips above!
6. Use Hangers to Maximize Space and Strengthen Your Boxes
This one is great, though I have to say, it’s not mine. I’ve never actually used this trick, but I’m definitely looking forward to the day I can. Hangers don’t usually don’t get much attention before, during, and after a move; we think about them when we’re hanging clothes, but rarely at any other time, and that’s a shame, because they’re actually incredibly useful little devices that can be employed creatively to strengthen and support your boxes.
After you’ve finished packing your clothes for a move, grab some of your hangers and stuff them in so that they’re running alongside the box walls. This will give the boxes a little extra support, which is no bad thing given that they’re going to be subjected to significant stress and strain over the course of your move. In addition, you’ll almost certainly drop a box at some point, kick another, and pile boxes on top of one another. Thanks to the extra rigidity the hangers provide, your boxes will be able to stand up to all of this and more.
Read Here: How to pack shoes for a move
Hangers are also super-useful if you need to put something at the top of a box to fill up some empty space. In other words—they’re fantastic filler. When people pack boxes leave a bit of space at the top, and then stack the boxes roughly, they tend to collapse and weaken. The addition of the hangers prevents this. With just the right number of hangers, you can ensure a good, tight fit. Loose items can’t move around and everything is secure. Try it!
7. Support Table and Chair Legs with the Help of Wooden Beam Stabilizers
This is definitely a professional trick, and I used it myself a few years ago to great success. When you’re packing and moving furniture with legs, like chairs and tables, and you’ve made the decision not to break them down into easier-to-pack parts, then follow this tip to maintain maximum stability: after wrapping the items in sheets, drapes, comforters, linens or any other soft stuff you own that’s big enough (see above), place a pair of beams in the center of the legs, criss-cross style, and secure everything with a ton of packing tape. In many ways, this serves the same function as the hangers in No. 10.
Read Here: How to pack lamps for a move
You’re preventing unwanted bending and shifting that could ultimately weaken—or even permanently damage—your furniture. Everything stays nice and tight and straight; the amount of stress on bolts, screws, and dowels is vastly reduced, and this means that when you’re item is in the back of a moving truck – or in storage – it’s given the sort of support it needs (support that obviously isn’t necessary when it’s right-side up in your kitchen or living room). Master this technique and your future self will thank you!
8. Handle Plants With Care
Plants are rarely a top priority for most people when they’re moving, which is unfortunate, because they’re such an important part of making a new home…homey. If you’re planning on moving a lot of plants yourself using your own vehicle, place the smaller ones in an open box and then follow the tips above by stuffing towels or dishcloths between the planters—and in any other obvious spaces—to prevent bouncing around and potential damage.
Read Here: The Pros and Cons of Self-Packing for a Move
In addition, don’t water your plants immediately prior to moving them. A lot of people do this, thinking that their plants are in for a rough time and need all the help they can get. In reality, all you do is create a lot of extra weight (which you typically pay for if you’re using a moving company). If you’re using your own vehicle, you’ll almost certainly end up with a lot of dampness in places you definitely don’t want it. So avoid watering if at all possible.
And remember: large potted plants and small trees can be moved fairly conveniently using a wardrobe box.
International Van Lines:
The World’s Premier Long-Distance and International Moving Company
International Van Lines (IVL) is the world’s No. 1 moving company, regardless of whether you’re moving locally, regionally, or internationally.
IVL has the personnel, the experience, and the infrastructure that no other moving company can match.
As a result, your move—whether it’s to the other side of town or the other side of the world—is guaranteed to be a smooth, predictable, and worry-free experience.
Based in Coral Springs, Florida, but now serving over 180 countries worldwide, IVL’s reputation for excellence continues to grow. Over the past 25 years, we’ve mastered every aspect of full-service door-to-door relocation—so much so that today’s moving experience is infinitely superior to what we were able to offer our customers two or three decades ago.
International Van Lines
IVL relies on the following transport methods: air freight, ocean freight, and our enormous and growing fleet of high-end moving vans and trucks.
We also offer a wide variety of storage options (see below), so if you don’t plan to move your household items into your new residence immediately, we’ve still got you covered.
Wherever you may be headed, IVL will do everything possible to ensure that all your belongings arrive on time, on budget, and in pristine condition. That’s a promise.
Click Here for Your Free Moving Quote Today!
Our Services in Detail
IVL’s domestic and international moving services are comprehensive and door-to-door. Nobody understands all the varied elements of the moving process the way we do. Here’s a brief overview of what we offer:
- Comprehensive packing and unpacking services.* Our knowledge of the packing process is unparalleled. Nobody packs more efficiently while keeping in mind the need to protect especially valuable items.
- Furniture assembly and disassembly.
- Personalized services for high-value and/or fragile items, including art and antiques.
- Both ocean and air freight, as well as the use of our growing fleet of moving vans and trucks.
- Rubbish removal.
- Auto transport, both domestic and international.
- Varied storage services (domestic or international as well as short-term, long-term, standard, or climate-controlled storage). We have a storage unit available to match every client’s needs.
- Full customs clearance management for international moves.
- Limited liability insurance, with full value protection available for purchase.
- Full corporate and military relocation services.
- Live chat and customer service 24/7
- Easy shipment tracking.
Where Can I Get Packing Supplies if I Want to Do Some of the Work Myself?
The packing and moving tips provided above are proven winners, but if you’re reluctant to employ them and prefer a more conventional approach, we’re happy to direct you to excellent suppliers of packing supplies like cardboard boxes, wardrobe boxes, packing paper, packing tape, masking tape, bubble wrap, shrink wrap, light bulbs, paper towels, plastic bags, trash bags, and other moving supplies. As noted above, Amazon and Walmart are both excellent sources of boxes, and local supermarkets usually have a ton of boxes on hand as well. It’s also important to note that, while the packing tips provided above are a great way to save time and money (and please contact IVL directly to discuss potential discounts!) we’re also happy to do everything if that’s your preference. We’ll even roll up your “Welcome” mat!
How Much Does IVL Charge?
IVL team members at company HQ in Coral Springs, FL
Take a few minutes to check out our moving cost calculator to get a better feel for what your move is likely to cost. Contact us directly for a more detailed estimate or quote based on your specific circumstances or needs.
Keep in mind that moving costs ebb and flow. Shifting fuel costs—and also the season you move—can influence pricing significantly.
However, whatever the total amount, IVL is always fully-transparent with you, the customer, when it comes to all fees and charges. The final bill is never, ever a surprise.
For Your Free Domestic or International Moving Quote, Click Here!
Is There Anything Else I Should Know?
To promote the speed and efficiency of your move, IVL, like most moving companies, may choose to partner with one or more local movers at certain points of the moving process—the final stages in particular.
There is also a 25 percent deposit required to reserve a moving date.
This is refundable in the event of cancellation. The balance is then split into two separate payments: 50 percent on moving day, and the remainder upon delivery. The deposit can be made using a credit card, check or ACH.
Given the complex logistical arrangements that international moves require, deposits received for any international move are not refundable.
Is IVL Fully Licensed?
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Yes. Per federal requirements, IVL is licensed by DOT, FMC, and AMSA (the latter having been recently absorbed by ATA).
Contact IVL Today. For Your Free Online International Moving Quote Click Here!
