Purchasing the right packing materials
For perfect packaging you will need the right materials. Different types of items will require to be packed differently to avoid breakage during transit. Some of the packaging materials we recommend are:
1. Bubble wrap, newspapers and tissue paper - all of these will help wrap and protect fragile items such as glasses, mugs and dinnerware. You can purchase newspapers but we recommend to start collecting these in advance to save on cost.
2. Marker or stickers you can write on - it is recommended that you label each box with the room the belongings will be placed in. By labelling boxes you can unload these into the appropriate room and prioritize unpacking for the things you will need immediately.
3. Packaging Tape - buy a good quality packaging tape to prevent boxes from breaking or opening during your move. The last thing you need is for the bottom of a box to open and fragile items be damaged.
4. Moving Boxes - use good quality boxes, preferably ones with strong base and sides. This will help keep your items secure during your move.
1. When to start packing?
You should start packing as early as possible before your move date. For an average apartment with children we recommend to start packing approximately a month before your moving date. Start with items which are not routine or used often and gradually pack away room by room. By packing little by little the task of packing will not appear to be as overwhelming than if you left everything to the last minute. For items you use everyday, pack these last. This includes things such as your bed, dinnerware and cutlery and of course pack your food and perishables as close to moving as possible.
2. Sorting for your move
Moving house is an excellent time to sort through your belongings and donate those that you no longer want or need. Not only does this make packing easier but it also saves you time from having to move and unpack these items in your new home.
3. Which boxes are best?
When moving home it is recommended to get boxes in several sizes. This is because some items may be heavy and others may be fragile, and these will require different packing requirements. It is important to use the right boxes to prevent damage to your items or injury to yourself. For example, you do not want to be lifting a large box filled with heavy items such as books. We recommend using smaller sturdier boxes for heavy products and larger boxes for lighter items such as clothes and toys.
4. How to pack right?
To make packing and unpacking as easy as possible we recommend using different boxes for each room and lablelling these clearly with either a marker or sticky label. This not only helps you know where these boxes need to go in your new home, but will also help you prioritize the most important boxes you will need to unpack first.
To save space we recommend that bedding, towels and blankets be placed into vacumme bags and then placed into the approptiate boxes. By using vacuum bags you will be able to minimise the air trapped inside and fit more into your packing box. If you do not have vacuum bags available you can always line your packing boxes with garbage bags as this will help your bedding, blankets and towels stay clean and dust free during your move.
For breakable items such as glassware and dinnerware it is important to clearly label the box as FRAGILE and to mark this on all visible sides showing which side of the box is up. When packing fragile items it is recommended to line the bottom of the box with crumpled newspapers or bubble wrap and to wrap each item individually.
Moving home? Use Moving Select today to ensure that your move is as easy as possible!